A Local’s Guide to Making Your Trip a Lot Easier ✨
Hi~ i'm fisherman Choi~!😙✋
Planning a trip to South Korea? Great choice! Korea is one of the easiest and most
exciting countries to explore — but there are a few things first-time visitors are always
surprised by. As someone who actually lives here, I put together a simple guide to help
you understand the essentials before you land. Let’s make your time here smoother and way more fun! 😄✈️
1. 💳 Korea Is Almost Cashless (But Street Food Often Isn’t!)
But street food stalls like hotteok, tteokbokki, and fish cake stands often take cash only.
It’s good to carry a little bit of cash just in case.
2. 🚇 Public Transportation Is Crazy Good
And don’t worry — buses are also very well-developed and easy to use once you get used to the routes.
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Get a T-money card at any convenience store.
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Google Maps doesn’t work well here — use Naver Map or Kakao Map instead.
3. 🧼 No Shoes Inside Homes
Most Korean homes (and some guesthouses) have a strict no-shoes rule.
You’ll leave your shoes at the entrance and wear indoor slippers if provided.
4. 🔥 Korean Food Is Spicy… No, Really
If someone tells you, “It’s not that spicy,” prepare yourself — that usually means “medium spicy” for locals.
Ask for “안 매운 걸로 주세요 (an mae-un geollo juseyo)” which means “not spicy, please.”
5. 🛎 Convenience Stores Are Life-Savers
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Late-night snacks
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Charging cables
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Ready-to-eat meals
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Instant ramen with hot water tables 🍜
6. 📶 Free Wi-Fi Is Everywhere
Korea’s internet is fast and reliable. Cafés, subways, malls — all offer free Wi-Fi.
Still, getting a local SIM or eSIM is recommended.
7. 👋 A Simple Greeting Goes a Long Way
You don’t need perfect Korean — even a simple “Hi!” or “안녕하세요!” usually makes locals respond warmly.
Koreans really appreciate friendly greetings, and it often leads to more helpful interactions.
8. 🗣 English Is OK, But Not Everywhere
Huge cities = decent English comprehension.
Smaller towns = basic English at best.
But don’t worry — Koreans are usually very helpful when you ask.
9. 🚫 Trash Cans Are Rare Outdoors
Due to strict waste rules, you won’t find many public trash bins.
Keep a small bag for your trash until you find a convenience store bin.
10. 🎉 Korea Is Safe — Even at Night
You’ll see people walking around at 2 AM like it’s nothing. Still, use common sense as always.
Thanks~!!!
