A peek into real Korean winter habits — straight from a local 📢
Winter in Korea isn’t just about cold weather. It comes with a whole set of habits that
locals barely think about, but visitors often find surprising (or hilarious).
Here are a few winter routines Koreans do without even realizing it — and yes, I’m
guilty of all of them.
1️⃣ Iced Americano, Even in Freezing Weather ☕❄️
This one always shocks foreigners the most.
No matter how cold it gets, Koreans still walk around holding iced Americanos like it’s summer.
Snowing outside? Still iced.💀
Wind cutting through your coat? Still iced.💀
For many Koreans, coffee temperature has nothing to do with the season. It’s more
about habit and taste. Cafés stay busy all winter, and you’ll see people sipping cold
coffee with gloves on — completely unbothered.
2️⃣ Roasted Sweet Potatoes… With Kimchi 🍠🥬
Hot roasted sweet potatoes are a classic Korean winter snack. You’ll smell them before
you see them — especially near subway stations or street corners.
What surprises people?
We often eat them with kimchi.
The sweetness of the potato and the tangy, spicy bite of kimchi somehow work perfectly
together. It sounds strange at first, but once you try it, it just makes sense.
Warm hands, warm stomach, instant winter comfort.
3️⃣ Hot Packs Before Scarves 🔥🧤
Ask a Korean what they grab first on a cold day, and many will say hot packs, not scarves.
Those small heat packs go everywhere — coat pockets, gloves, shoes, even stuck onto clothes.
They’re cheap, easy to find, and honestly feel like a winter survival item.
Scarves are nice, sure.
But hot packs? They feel essential.
4️⃣ Super Warm Indoors, No Matter the Outside 🏠♨️
Korean winters are cold, but indoor spaces are a different story.
Homes, cafés, restaurants, buses — heating is usually strong. Sometimes very strong.
It’s not unusual to take off your jacket the moment you step inside.
This is why you’ll see people wearing thick padded coats outside, then sitting indoors in
light clothes. The contrast feels extreme, but locals are used to it — and honestly, it
makes winter much easier to enjoy.
Final Thoughts ❄️
These habits might look odd at first, but they’re just part of everyday life in Korea during winter.
They’re not trends or traditions people talk about — just small routines that quietly
make the cold season more comfortable.
If you visit Korea in winter, don’t be surprised if you start doing these things too.
It happens faster than you think 😉
