If you have a medical emergency in Korea, dial 119 from any phone. That one number covers ambulances and fire, and a ride in a public 119 ambulance is free of charge. When the dispatcher answers in Korean, say “English” and stay on the line so an interpreter can be added to the call. The…
If your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, a Korea eSIM is usually the easier option. You can buy it online and install it with a QR code before your trip, without visiting a carrier counter at Incheon Airport. A physical SIM is still a good choice if your phone doesn’t support eSIM or you’d…
Taking the Seoul subway with a coffee in hand or a large suitcase can raise a few questions, especially if you’re visiting South Korea for the first time. The rules aren’t the same for buses and subways, and some restrictions are easy to misunderstand. Here’s what travelers should know about food, drinks, luggage, and everyday…
Arriving at Incheon Airport after midnight can make getting into Seoul a little tricky. The late-night airport buses, including the N6000, N6002, N6701, and N6703, are a relatively affordable option, with adult fares ranging from 17,000 to 18,000 won. The AREX train and most regular airport buses stop running around midnight or earlier, so these…
Banchan refill etiquette in Korea is pretty simple: the basic side dishes that come with your meal can usually be refilled for free, as long as you’ve ordered a main dish. Anything listed on the menu with its own price is generally a separate order, so you’ll have to pay for more. There are a…
Korean drinking games for foreigners are easiest to learn when they require almost no Korean. Titanic, the soju bottle cap game, and the nunchi game are good places to start. Before getting into the games, there are a few drinking habits worth knowing. Pouring and Drinking Basics Nobody will stop the game if you get…
This Korean trash disposal guide for tourists comes down to two things. Public trash cans are rare, so you may need to carry small pieces of trash until you reach a subway station or convenience store. At your accommodation, general and food waste go into special government-issued bags, while recyclables are sorted by material. Most…
If you’re visiting Korea without a Korean phone number, download CatchTable Global instead of the regular CatchTable app. You can sign up with an email, Google, or Apple account, and it handles both reservations and waitlists in English. A few details vary from restaurant to restaurant, such as deposits, cancellation rules, and whether you can…
Yes, you can fly with kimchi, and a checked bag is the easy way to do it. In your carry-on, it generally only works in containers of 100 ml or less, or if you bought it past security in a sealed bag. Why Kimchi Gets Stopped at Security Kimchi has brine and a wet, sticky…
You can rent a hanbok near Gyeongbokgung for roughly 10,000 to 15,000 won for two hours, and wearing it means you can enter the palace without paying the 3,000 won adult ticket. Bring your passport for the deposit, avoid Tuesdays because the palace is closed, and book online if you’re going on a weekend. Do…
