Here’s what travelers should know about food, drinks, luggage, and everyday subway etiquette in Seoul.

Food & Drink Rules: Bus vs. Subway

One common source of confusion for tourists is the difference between food and drink rules on Seoul’s city buses and subway trains.

What Is Allowed on the Subway?

Seoul’s subway system does not generally apply the same blanket restrictions to food and drinks as city buses do. However, the subway operator’s terms of use may restrict items that create unpleasant odors or inconvenience other passengers.

Here’s how to handle common situations:

• Generally acceptable: Bottled water, thermos flasks, and tumblers with secure lids.
• Use caution: Takeout coffee and iced drinks. Keep the lid secure and hold the cup carefully, especially on crowded trains or when the train is moving.
• Best avoided: Hot meals, fried chicken, hamburgers, tteokbokki, and other foods that produce strong odors or leave crumbs and spills.

A practical tip: Even when bringing a drink aboard is permitted, eating a full meal on a crowded train can make other passengers uncomfortable. Keep food packed away when possible, and avoid anything likely to spill or leave a lingering smell.

Luggage Rules: Size Limits and Restrictions

Large suitcases are common on Seoul subway trains, particularly on routes connecting the city with Incheon International Airport (ICN) and Gimpo Airport (GMP).

Official Luggage Limits

Before relying on a specific size or weight limit, check the current rules published by the relevant subway operator. Requirements for checked airline baggage do not necessarily apply to subway travel, and a baggage allowance used by one transport service should not automatically be treated as a subway regulation.

For most travelers, the more immediate concern is whether a suitcase can be moved safely through stations and crowded train cars.

Standard large suitcases can take up considerable space, especially during rush hour. If you’re traveling with an unusually large or heavy bag, confirm the applicable restrictions before setting out.

Practical Luggage Etiquette for Travelers

Even when a suitcase is permitted, keeping it out of other passengers’ way makes the journey easier for everyone.

1. Master Luggage Placement Onboard

• Keep doorways clear: Avoid standing directly in front of train doors. Move farther into the carriage when space is available, and allow other passengers to get on and off.
• Keep your suitcase close: Stand with the bag beside or in front of your legs so it doesn’t roll into the aisle or bump into other passengers.
• Use overhead racks carefully: If a train has an overhead rack, use it only for luggage you can lift and secure safely. Heavy suitcases are better kept on the floor beside you, where they won’t fall or injure someone.

2. Mind the Peak Rush Hour

Traveling with a large suitcase is more difficult when commuter trains are packed. Weekday mornings and evenings are generally the busiest periods, particularly on major routes serving central Seoul and popular transfer stations.

If your schedule is flexible, consider traveling outside rush hour.

If you need to reach or leave an airport during a busy period, the Airport Railroad Express (AREX) may be worth considering, depending on your departure and destination stations. A taxi is another option if you have several bags, although travel time and cost can vary considerably with traffic.

3. Use Station Elevators Wisely

Elevators can make it much easier to navigate Seoul’s subway stations with large suitcases, strollers, or other bulky items. However, the available routes and elevator locations vary by station, so check the station layout in advance if you need step-free access.

On escalators, keep a firm grip on your suitcase and maintain control of its movement. Do not leave a heavy bag unattended on a step, where it could fall or strike another passenger. If handling the suitcase on an escalator feels unsafe, use an elevator instead.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I drink water or coffee on the Seoul subway?

Water in a closed bottle or tumbler is generally acceptable. Takeout coffee is also generally permitted, but keep the lid secure and handle the cup carefully to avoid spills. Rules for particular containers or circumstances may vary.

Q2: Is there an extra fee for bringing luggage on the subway?

Ordinary luggage generally does not require a separate ticket. However, if you’re carrying an unusually large or heavy item, check the current rules of the operator serving your route rather than assuming that airline baggage limits apply.

Q3: Are strollers and bicycles allowed on Seoul subways?

Strollers are generally accommodated on Seoul’s subway system, although station accessibility and the space available on a train can vary.

Bicycle access is subject to operating rules, which may differ by service, day, and bicycle type. Folding bicycles may be subject to different conditions from full-size bicycles. Check the relevant operator’s current guidance before traveling with a bike.

Summary Checklist for Travelers

• Buses vs. subways: Check the rules for your specific service before boarding with open drinks or takeout food.
• Luggage: Confirm any applicable restrictions for unusually large or heavy bags, and don’t assume airline baggage limits apply to subway travel.
• Rider etiquette: Keep suitcases close, leave doorways clear, and avoid eating messy or strongly scented food on crowded trains.
• Station access: Check elevator locations in advance if you’re traveling with a large suitcase or stroller.
• Bicycles: Verify the operator’s current rules before bringing a bicycle onto the subway.

A little planning goes a long way. Keep your belongings secure, leave room for other passengers, and check any restrictions that apply to your journey before boarding.

<p>The post Seoul Subway Rules 2026: Food, Drinks, and Luggage Etiquette for Travelers first appeared on Jian Daddy.</p>

Pouring and Drinking Basics

Nobody will stop the game if you get these wrong, but people do notice when you get them right.

• Use two hands when pouring a drink for or receiving one from someone older or senior to you. Hold the bottle or glass with both hands, or place one hand lightly on your wrist or forearm.
• Don’t pour your own glass. Someone else fills yours, and you fill theirs. If your glass is empty, the person next to you will usually notice before you say anything.
• Turn your head slightly to the side when drinking in front of someone older. Some people also angle their glass away a little.
• The first shot is often a group one, with everyone drinking together.
• Food comes with the drinks. Samgyeopsal, jeon, and jjigae served alongside alcohol are called anju. At many Korean drinking gatherings, food is a regular part of the table.

You don’t have to drink alcohol to join in. Plenty of people order a soft drink instead, and that’s widely accepted. You can play all the games below with soda or another nonalcoholic drink.

Somaek: The Soju and Beer Mix

Somaek is a mix of soju and beer. A common starting point is one part soju to two or three parts beer, though people have their own preferences. You might even hear a debate over the right ratio at the table. Some of the games below involve taking a drink when you lose, but you can always use a nonalcoholic drink instead.

Five Games You Can Learn in a Minute

Titanic

You’ll need a beer glass, a shot glass, soju, and beer. Fill the larger glass with beer and float an empty shot glass on top. Going around the table, each person pours a little soju into the shot glass. Whoever makes it sink loses the round.

The fun is in watching the shot glass get heavier without knowing exactly when it’ll sink. Everyone tends to watch closely, and the moment it finally goes under usually gets a reaction from the table.

Soju Bottle Cap Game

All you need is a soju bottle cap. Twist the narrow metal tail of the cap, then take turns flicking it with a finger. Whoever knocks the tail off loses the round.

Some groups play an Up & Down variation. The person who knocked off the tail checks the number inside the cap, and the others try to guess it using “higher” or “lower” as hints. The exact rules vary, so it’s worth asking how the group plays before starting.

Nunchi Game

No props needed. Everyone in the group tries to count upward from 1 to the number of players, calling out one number at a time. There’s no set order, so anyone can speak next. If two people say the same number at once, the round ends and they lose. Some groups also make the last person to call out a number the loser.

Nunchi is the Korean habit of reading a room and picking up on social cues without everything being said out loud. The game puts that instinct to the test. It’s surprisingly easy to hesitate when everyone is waiting for someone else to speak.

Image Game

Someone asks a question like “Who here is most likely to oversleep?” Everyone counts “one, two, three” and points at someone at the same time. The person who gets the most fingers pointed at them loses. Depending on the group’s rules, they might drink or choose someone else to drink.

Questions can be silly, harmless, or a little revealing, depending on how well everyone knows each other. It’s an easy game to start with because you don’t need to know any Korean to understand what’s happening.

Son Byung-ho Game (Up & Down Fingers)

Everyone holds up five fingers. Going around the table, each person says something that might apply to them, such as “Fold a finger if you wear glasses.” Anyone the statement applies to folds a finger down. The first person to fold all five fingers loses.

The statements can be about almost anything, which makes it easy for a mixed group to join in. If you’re unfamiliar with the game, watch one round first and you’ll probably get the idea.

If You’re Joining Your First Table

You don’t need to memorize the rules beforehand. If you’re unsure how a game works, ask someone to demonstrate a round. People may play the same game a little differently from one table to another, so it’s perfectly fine to check the rules before you start.

And if you’re wondering about the perfect somaek ratio, don’t expect everyone to agree. That’s part of the conversation, too.

Further Reading
👉 How to Use the CatchTable App in English: Sign-Up, Waiting, and Reservations

👉 K-Pop Album Stores in Seoul: Where to Go in Myeongdong, Hongdae and Beyond

<p>The post Korean Drinking Games for Foreigners: Easy Rules for Your First Night Out first appeared on Jian Daddy.</p>

Most visitors figure this out on day one, usually while holding an empty coffee cup and looking for somewhere to put it.

Why You Can’t Find a Trash Can on the Street

Korea introduced a pay-per-bag waste system in 1995, and most of the street trash cans disappeared around that time. They didn’t really come back. Walk through a busy neighborhood and you’ll see plenty of people, plenty of cafes, and surprisingly few bins.

There are still a few places where you can usually find one:

• Near the ticket gates in subway stations
• Inside or near the entrance of convenience stores
• Around some bus stops, although not all of them

These bins are meant for small things you picked up while out and about, like a napkin, snack wrapper, or drink cup. Don’t bring a bag of trash from your hotel room to a subway station bin. People do it, and it’s the kind of thing that can get noticed.

If you can’t find a bin, put the trash in your bag and wait. It feels a little strange for the first day or two, and then it just becomes normal.

The Trash Bag System (Jongnyangje)

The system is called jongnyangje (종량제), which basically means you pay for your trash by the bag. General waste and food waste both have to go into official bags sold by the local government. A regular plastic bag from a supermarket won’t do.

One detail that catches visitors off guard is that the bags are specific to the district (gu) where you buy them. A bag bought in Mapo-gu can’t be used in Gangnam-gu. So if you’re moving between neighborhoods, don’t stock up on bags in one district and expect to use them somewhere else.

You can buy them at convenience stores like CU, GS25, and 7-Eleven, or at the counter of a supermarket. Just ask for a trash bag, and if you’re not sure, show them the Korean words: 종량제 봉투.

If you’re staying in an Airbnb, your host may already have bags in the apartment. Check under the sink before buying any.

Recycling: Four Words to Remember

The basic recycling rule in Korea is simple: empty it, rinse it, separate it, and don’t mix things together.

It sounds like a lot of work for a single plastic bottle, but it really isn’t. Here’s what it looks like for some of the things tourists throw away most often.

Clear PET Bottles

Peel off the label, rinse the inside, crush the bottle flat, and put it in the bin for clear PET bottles. Those bins are often separate from regular plastic recycling in apartment complexes.

Takeout Cups

This one trips people up because takeout coffee is everywhere in Korea. Pour out any leftover drink and ice first. Then separate the cup, lid, and straw and sort them according to the recycling categories where you’re staying.

Dumping a half-full iced Americano into a recycling bin is a common mistake, and it makes a mess for whoever has to collect it.

Food Waste vs. General Waste

Here’s a simple rule for sorting: can an animal eat it? If yes, it’s food waste. If not, it goes in the general trash bag.

That means these go in the general waste bag, even though they came from food:

• Bones from chicken, pork, or fish
• Hard shells from clams, oysters, crabs, eggs, chestnuts, and other nuts
• Hard seeds, like the pit of a peach or persimmon
• Tea bags and coffee grounds

Bones are the one that feels wrong to me. You just finished a plate of fried chicken, and the bones are food waste in the everyday sense. In Korea’s system, they’re not.

Fruit and vegetable scraps, leftover rice, and similar waste go in the food waste bag, which is also bought locally.

When and Where to Put Trash Out

If you’re staying in a residential area or an Airbnb, there’s usually a set time for putting trash out, generally in the evening, around 8 PM to midnight. There’s also a designated spot, often near the building entrance or in a small enclosed area on the street.

The exact hours can differ by building and district. Ask your host, or look for a notice on the wall near the bins. Hotels handle all of this for you, so if that’s where you’re staying, you can skip this section.

Fines for Illegal Dumping

Leaving trash in the wrong place, or without the proper bag, can result in a fine of up to 1 million won. CCTV is used for enforcement, so don’t assume a quiet back street is safe.

I wouldn’t worry about a stray receipt blowing out of your hand. The fine is aimed at people dumping bags of household trash outside their accommodation.

A Few Things to Keep in Your Bag

• A small plastic bag for trash while you’re out
• The Korean words for trash bag: 종량제 봉투
• A habit of rinsing cups at the cafe before you leave, if they have a sink

None of it takes long. After a week in Korea, you’ll probably find yourself carrying a coffee cup for ten minutes without even thinking about it.

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<p>The post Korean Trash Disposal Guide for Tourists: Street Bins, Trash Bags, and Recycling first appeared on Jian Daddy.</p>

The stores are spread across different neighborhoods, though, and each area has a slightly different feel. Here’s where I’d go depending on what you’re looking for.

A few things before you go

There are a few things worth knowing before you start shopping.

• Prices. Buying in Korea means you don’t have to pay international shipping or the overseas markup, so albums are often cheaper. The actual difference depends on the album and store.
• Chart counting. Sales at larger shops generally count toward charts such as Hanteo and Circle. If this is important to you, ask at the counter since it can vary by store.
• Tax refund. Many larger stores offer tax refunds to foreign visitors who meet the minimum purchase amount. Bring your passport, as you’ll usually need it.
• Cards. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most larger shops. Smaller stores, especially in underground shopping areas, may only accept cash, so carrying some is a good idea.
• Maps. Google Maps isn’t always reliable for getting around Korea. Naver Map has an English version, so I’d install it before your trip.

Store locations and pop-ups can change, so it’s worth checking the map listing on the day you plan to visit.

Myeongdong: the easy first stop

If it’s your first trip and you only have an afternoon, I’d start here. Myeongdong is already on many visitors’ itineraries for cosmetics and street food, so adding an album-shopping stop doesn’t take much extra planning.

The Myeongdong underground shopping center has several small record shops, including CT Records. Prices can be a little lower than regular retail, although I wouldn’t count on a specific discount. It’s also a good area to look for older releases and used albums that aren’t as easy to find elsewhere.

Music Korea is close to Myeongdong Station and is another convenient option for new releases. The store is fairly easy to browse, especially if you’d rather shop somewhere organized than dig through piles of albums.

There’s also a Withmuu branch in Myeongdong, where you can look for recent releases, official lightsticks and other K-pop goods.

Hongdae: where the events are

Hongdae has a younger, busier feel, and the K-pop stores here tend to be a little more focused on current events and fan activities.

The Withmuu in AK Plaza Hongdae is connected to Hongik Univ. Station, so it’s easy to reach without having to walk far. Lucky draw events are also held here fairly often. Depending on the event, buying certain albums can get you a chance to receive special photocards or other extras. The rules change, so check the event notice before paying.

Beat Road is both a K-pop shop and a fan cafe, and it’s particularly interesting if you collect albums and photocards. If you’re just looking to buy one album quickly, you probably don’t need to make a special trip, but collectors may want to add it to their list.

Gwanghwamun: Kyobo Hottracks

Kyobo Hottracks in Gwanghwamun is a convenient choice if you want a large selection without visiting several different stores. The albums are organized by artist and category, so it’s relatively easy to find what you’re looking for.

The store is part of the larger Kyobo bookstore, which is actually handy if you’re traveling with someone who isn’t interested in K-pop. They can browse the books while you spend some time in the music section.

Gangnam and Seongsu: shops worth visiting for the experience

These areas are more of a destination than somewhere I’d go just to buy an album.

Ktown4u at Coex Artium is a good stop if you’re already spending time around COEX. Besides albums, there are spaces for pop-ups and other K-pop-related activities, so you can easily spend some time there.

KWANGYA@SEOUL in Seongsu is SM Entertainment’s official store and focuses on SM artists and merchandise. If you’re a fan of groups under SM, it’s worth adding to your itinerary. Otherwise, there’s probably no need to go out of your way just for albums.

Used and out-of-print albums

Aladin used bookstores have branches in places including Sinchon, Gangnam and Myeongdong. This is where I’d look if you’re hunting for older albums or releases that are no longer being produced.

The downside is that used albums don’t always include the original photocard or other inclusions. If you’re specifically collecting photocards, check what’s included before you buy.

Packing

Albums are heavier than they look, and a few can take up more suitcase space than you’d expect. Leave some extra room if you’re planning to shop a lot.

And if you get into lucky draws or start collecting photocards, don’t be surprised if you end up bringing home more than you originally planned.

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<p>The post K-Pop Album Stores in Seoul: Where to Go in Myeongdong, Hongdae and Beyond first appeared on Jian Daddy.</p>

I’ve split this by situation, because most of these rules only come up in a few settings: at the table, when drinks are poured, on public transport, and in a handful of everyday situations.

At the Table

Leave your rice bowl on the table. In Japan or China, picking up the bowl and bringing it to your mouth is normal. In Korea, it can look a bit like you’re eating like a dog, and older relatives may notice. You eat rice and soup with the spoon while the bowls stay put. If you’re used to chopsticks-only meals, this will feel backwards for the first few dinners.

Don’t hold the spoon and chopsticks in the same hand. You’ll see Koreans switch back and forth all the time, spoon for rice and soup, chopsticks for the side dishes. They put one down before picking up the other. Holding both together in one hand isn’t done.

Never stick either one upright in your rice. It looks like the table set for an ancestral memorial ritual (jesa), where food is laid out for the dead. It’s a small gesture that can get a strong reaction, and I’ve seen older people fix it for a child without saying a word.

Wait for the oldest person to pick up their spoon. In a group with mixed ages, whoever is oldest starts, and everyone else follows. At a family dinner or a company meal, you’ll notice people hovering for a second before anyone touches the food.

Try not to be the first one to leave. Match your pace to the elders and stay until they’ve finished. Stepping out to the restroom is fine. Standing up and heading for the door while everyone is still eating is what gets noticed.

When the Drinks Come Out

Drinking rules are where the age gap shows most clearly, and they’re the ones that trip up visitors at a group dinner.

Turn your head away when you drink in front of someone older. If a senior or an older relative is at the table, you turn your body a little to the side, use your hand or your glass to cover your mouth, and drink. Between friends of the same age, most people skip this.

Use two hands. Pouring, receiving a glass, handing over a business card, passing a gift or an object to someone older all get two hands. If your hands are full, the usual workaround is to support the wrist or elbow of your pouring arm with the other hand.

Let other people pour for you, and pour for them. The custom is to fill each other’s glasses when they run low rather than pouring for yourself. Filling your own glass looks like you weren’t paying attention to the people around you. In a relaxed group of friends, people do pour their own and nobody thinks much of it, but at a work dinner I’d wait.

One practical thing: an empty glass gets refilled quickly, so if you’re done, leave it a little full. This part still bugs me a bit, because keeping track of everyone’s glass while talking is tiring, and younger Koreans complain about it as well.

On the Subway and Bus

Leave the priority seats empty. The seats marked for the elderly and people with disabilities, and the pink seats for pregnant women, are often left free even on a crowded train. You’ll see people standing in a packed carriage with the pink seat next to them empty. If you’re tired, take one of the regular seats.

Keep your voice down, and don’t take calls on speaker. People are quiet on the subway and the bus. Some talk in low voices, but loud conversation and video calls without earphones stand out. It’s a good place to keep your phone on silent.

Line up. At the subway platform, there are marks on the floor near each door, and people queue behind them and let passengers off before getting on. The same goes for buses and elevators. Pushing to the front isn’t just rude, it gets noticed.

Small Things in Everyday Life

Take off your shoes when you enter a home. That’s true for houses and apartments. It also applies to some restaurants and guesthouses, especially those with a raised floor or a shoe rack near the entrance. If you see shoes lined up at the door, that’s the signal.

Don’t write someone’s name in red ink. There’s an old superstition tying a name written in red to death, since names of the deceased were traditionally written that way. Many younger people don’t think about it, but older family members might. If you’re signing a card, use black or blue.

Point with your whole hand. Pointing at a person with one finger is considered impolite. Some people use an open palm instead. Foreigners get a lot of slack on this one, and I wouldn’t worry about it in a shop or on the street.

Skip the number 4 as a gift. The word for four (sa) sounds the same as the Chinese character for death (死). In some buildings, the elevator labels the fourth floor “F” instead of 4, or skips it. It’s not something everyone follows, but sets of four items are avoided as gifts, and you may spot the “F” in hospitals or older buildings.

Check out these related posts:

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If You Do Get One Wrong

You probably will, at least once, and it’s fine. From what I’ve seen, Koreans are forgiving toward visitors who make an honest mistake and are willing to adjust. If you’re not sure, watch what the oldest person at the table does and follow along. A slightly awkward two-handed pour matters more to people than a perfect one.

The rules that come up most are about older people, whether that’s who eats first, who gets the two-handed pour, or who turns their glass away when drinking. If you remember that, the rest mostly sorts itself out.

<p>The post What Not to Do in South Korea: Etiquette and Taboos Foreigners Should Know first appeared on Jian Daddy.</p>

The Small Bow You’ll See Everywhere in Korea

When you first visit Korea, you might expect people to bow quite deeply. In reality, most everyday greetings involve a much smaller movement. It’s closer to a head tilt — maybe fifteen degrees, sometimes less. You’ll get this from convenience store staff, from someone holding a door, from a stranger who just apologized for bumping your shoulder on the escalator. I’ve noticed people barely break stride when they do it. People often do it without even stopping what they’re doing.

If you’re visiting Korea, this is probably the bow you’ll use most often. A small nod while saying “annyeonghaseyo” is enough for many everyday situations, whether you’re buying coffee, checking into a guesthouse, or thanking someone for directions. You don’t need to worry about getting the angle exactly right. If you’re meeting someone for the first time, adding a small nod to your greeting is a simple way to show respect.

How Greetings Change in Korean Offices

In a more formal setting, such as a business meeting or a first meeting with a client, you’ll often see a slightly deeper bow. The same can happen when greeting someone older or in a higher position. Around 30 degrees is a common reference, but people don’t usually stop to measure it. You’ll often see people keep their hands at their sides or in front of them, depending on the situation and personal preference.

One thing that can be confusing at first is who bows first. In some formal situations, a younger or more junior person will greet the older or senior person first. The other person might respond with a smaller bow or nod. It doesn’t always look perfectly matched, and that’s normal.

In a lot of mixed Korean-foreign meetings now, people combine this with a handshake — a slight bow while the hands are still clasped. If your counterpart does that, returning it is the safer read. Watching for their lead works better than committing to one style in advance.

When the Bow Gets Deeper

A deeper bow can be used when someone wants to show sincere gratitude or apologize for something. You might also see it in a particularly formal introduction. It’s not the kind of greeting you’ll normally use while walking into a convenience store or meeting someone casually. This one gets held for a beat rather than snapped back up right away, eyes down. It feels different from the quick nods you see in everyday situations. There’s usually a little more intention behind it.

You’ll also come across much deeper bows during certain ceremonies and traditional occasions. Seollal and Chuseok are examples, especially when younger family members greet older relatives. These gestures are different from the small bows people use in everyday life, so you generally won’t need to worry about doing one as a tourist.

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What to Know About Handshakes in Korea

Handshakes are common in Korean business settings, especially when meeting someone for the first time. You may notice that people add a small bow while shaking hands, rather than treating the handshake and bow as two completely separate greetings.

In Korea, people generally use their right hand when shaking hands or handing something to someone. In more formal situations, you may also notice someone supporting their right arm with their left hand.

Business Cards Are Part of the Greeting Too

Business cards are another small part of Korean business etiquette that visitors may notice. When someone hands you a card, it’s common to receive it with both hands or with your right hand supported by your left. You’re generally expected to look at the card for a few seconds before setting it down — glancing at it and pocketing it right away can come across as a bit dismissive.

It’s also best not to write on someone’s business card while they’re standing in front of you. It reads as disrespectful even if the intent behind it was harmless, like jotting a note for yourself. If you need to write something down, do it later, out of sight.

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A Couple Things That Aren’t So Obvious

You may also notice that eye contact changes slightly during a bow. Rather than staring directly at the other person, people often lower their gaze naturally as they bow. You don’t have to think too much about it. Just let your gaze drop naturally as you bow.

Also worth knowing: close friends mostly don’t bow to each other. If you’re picturing constant, formal bowing between people who know each other well, that’s not really the everyday reality — a wave or a casual greeting covers that. Bowing tends to show up more with age gaps, hierarchy, first meetings, and formal settings than it does between peers who are already comfortable with each other.

You don’t need to memorize every bow before visiting Korea. Just start with a small nod, say “annyeonghaseyo,” and pay attention to how the other person greets you. The more time you spend in Korea, the more natural these little gestures will feel.

<p>The post Korean Greeting Etiquette: How Koreans Actually Bow, Shake Hands, and Say Hello first appeared on Jian Daddy.</p>

In 2026, Chuseok falls on September 25, with the official holiday period running from September 24 to 26. Since the holiday falls right before the weekend, many people can enjoy a longer break without taking additional days off work.

If you’re planning a trip around this time, it’s a good idea to check transportation and opening hours in advance.

If you’ve never experienced Chuseok in Korea, the quiet streets might surprise you. Many family-run restaurants and small businesses close for a few days, and some neighborhoods feel noticeably different from their usual routine.

Around my neighborhood, I often see small restaurants putting up handwritten notices about their holiday hours. Some convenience stores stay open, but opening hours can vary, so I wouldn’t assume every place will be operating as usual.

Where the Holiday Comes From

Chuseok is also known as Hangawi, a name associated with the middle of autumn. The holiday has a long history in Korea, although its exact origins are connected to several historical traditions.

One historical account connects the holiday to a weaving competition during the Silla period. According to the story, two groups of women competed for a month, followed by a gathering and feast. This tradition is often mentioned when discussing the historical background of Chuseok.

What’s stayed consistent over the centuries is simpler than the origin story: gathering the family, giving thanks for the harvest, and remembering the people who came before.

What Families Actually Do

For families that observe traditional Chuseok customs, the morning can start quite early. They prepare food for charye, a memorial ritual for ancestors, and spend time getting the family together. Many also visit family graves afterward, a practice called seongmyo, to tidy the site and pay respects in person.

The table usually includes songpyeon — small half-moon rice cakes filled with sesame, chestnut, or sweetened beans — along with dishes made from the season’s first grain, taro soup, jeon, and seasoned namul. Preparing all this food takes more time than you might expect. In many families, Chuseok cooking has traditionally been handled mostly by women, although more households are now sharing the work.

In some regions, older folk games are still part of the holiday — ganggangsullae, a circle dance done under the moon, along with ssireum wrestling and tug-of-war. You won’t see these everywhere, but they turn up at festivals and cultural centers during the holiday if you go looking.

Chuseok and Thanksgiving: What Is the Difference?

Chuseok gets called “Korean Thanksgiving” a lot in English write-ups, and the comparison makes some sense — both are autumn holidays centered on family and food. But the scale isn’t really the same. American Thanksgiving is officially one day off, the fourth Thursday of November, though many workplaces let people take Friday too. Chuseok, along with Seollal in winter, is one of the two holidays the entire country plans its year around — train tickets sell out weeks ahead, highways back up for hours, and most businesses close rather than run on reduced staff.

Other places have their own version of a holiday everyone travels home for. Ramadan runs on the Islamic lunar calendar and shapes daily life across a lot of the Muslim world in a very different way — a month of fasting rather than a harvest feast, so the comparison only goes so far.

The two holidays share the idea of spending time with family and appreciating food, but the traditions and the way people celebrate are different. It’s interesting to see how each country has developed its own way of marking an important time of year.

Visiting Seoul’s Royal Palaces During Chuseok

If you’re visiting Korea during Chuseok, this is one part you’ll want to plan for. Emergency rooms continue to operate during the holiday, but many regular clinics close or have limited hours. If you need medical care, check which facilities are open before you visit — Korea’s emergency medical information portal lists which smaller clinics are running near you, which is worth checking before heading straight to an ER for something minor.

One nice thing about visiting Seoul during Chuseok is that several major royal palaces usually offer free admission during the holiday period. This year, Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, and Changgyeonggung, along with Jongmyo Shrine and the royal tombs, are free to enter from the 24th through the 27th, though Changdeokgung’s rear garden is excluded. Jongmyo normally requires a reservation, so this is one of the rare windows where you can just walk in. Gyeongbokgung also runs its guard-changing ceremony a few times a day without needing to book ahead.

A Small Gift Note

If you’re visiting a Korean friend’s home during Chuseok, bringing a small gift is a thoughtful gesture. Ginseng tea, fruit, or a traditional snack gift set are some options you might see in stores around this time.

Wrapping Up

Chuseok isn’t a holiday built around fireworks or large public celebrations. For many Korean families, it’s simply a time to go home, share a meal, and spend time together.

If you’re in Korea during Chuseok and notice that more places are closed than usual, don’t be surprised — it’s part of the holiday. Personally, I kind of like how quiet it gets.

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👉 Everyday Life in Korea: 10 Things That May Surprise Foreigners

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<p>The post Chuseok in Korea: What Actually Happens When the Shops Close first appeared on Jian Daddy.</p>

So I started thinking about the ones that might make me stop and ask, “Wait, why do you do it like that?”

1. Delivery Finds You Almost Anywhere

In Korea, delivery doesn’t necessarily mean your front door. I’ve seen people have fried chicken delivered to a park bench. You drop a pin somewhere near your spot, and the rider comes looking for you. Han River parks are full of picnic mats with delivery bags next to them.

Delivery fees add up if you order every night. Nobody really thinks twice about it, though. You can order chicken on a weeknight and that’s it.

2. Phones and Laptops Sit Unattended on Café Tables

One thing that might surprise you is what people leave on café tables. A laptop, a phone, maybe a notebook, all sitting there while the person is off getting a drink or using the restroom. That’s how they hold the seat.

I’ve seen people do this plenty of times, although I wouldn’t leave anything really valuable there for long. A passport on a table is asking for trouble.

3. Someone Will Ask How Old You Are

This one still bugs me a little.

Part of the reason is the way people speak to each other in Korean. Age can affect which level of speech you use, so “How old are you?” can come up surprisingly early, sometimes before the small talk has even started. It isn’t meant to be nosy. The person is just trying to work out how to talk to you.

In 2023 the country moved to the international age system for most legal and official purposes, but in casual conversation people still ask the birth year, since that’s what settles who is older.

If you don’t want to answer, you can laugh it off or give a vague answer. Many people won’t make a big deal out of it.

4. You Pay for Your Trash Bags

If you live in Korea for a while, you’ll eventually have to buy special garbage bags. They’re sold at marts and convenience stores, and they aren’t regular plastic bags. The price includes part of the garbage disposal cost, so larger bags cost more.

Food waste is sorted separately, and buildings have their own bins or collection points for it. Recycling is separated too, with plastic, paper, glass and cans each going their own way.

The exact rules can be different depending on where you live, so I always check the building’s instructions when I’m somewhere new. If you’re in a hotel you’ll never see any of this. In a rental apartment, you will.

5. Shoes Come Off at the Door

Shoes come off at home, and also at some guesthouses, traditional restaurants and other places where people sit on the floor. There’s a little raised step at the entrance. That’s your cue to take your shoes off.

Floors are heated in many homes through a system called ondol, and people sit, eat and sometimes sleep on them. Walking barefoot on a warm floor in January is something I’d miss if I lived somewhere else.

Socks get worn out fast, though.

6. No Tipping, and a Button on the Table

One thing you don’t really have to worry about in Korea is tipping. You pay the price on the bill, and you don’t need to add anything extra at the end. If you leave money on the table, someone might chase you down the street to give it back.

Many restaurants also have a small call button on the table. You press it when you need something, instead of trying to catch a server’s eye. It feels rude the first time and then it’s just how it works. Water is often self-serve, and side dishes at many places get refilled if you ask, sometimes without charge.

7. Convenience Stores Are Small Restaurants

Some convenience stores almost feel like tiny restaurants. There’s a counter by the window, a hot water dispenser, and a shelf of instant noodles close by. People cook the ramen right there and eat it looking out at the street. Triangle kimbap, packaged salads and boiled eggs sit in the fridge nearby.

I wouldn’t call it the best meal you’ll have in Korea. But at midnight, after walking around all day, a cup of ramyeon and a seat by the window can feel pretty good.

8. Buses and the Subway Share One Card

Getting around Korea is pretty simple once you have a T-money card. It works on subways and buses in many cities, and you tap it on the reader when boarding. In the Seoul area, if you’re transferring to another bus or the subway, tap again when you get off, because that’s what makes the transfer discount count. The annoying part is remembering to tap off.

You’ll also see the priority seats near the doors. Even when the subway is packed, people often leave those seats alone. The pink ones are set aside for pregnant passengers.

9. Front Doors Have Keypads

Keys aren’t always a thing in Korean apartments. Many have a keypad on the door: you type a code and it beeps. If you’re staying somewhere short-term, the host will often just send you the door code by text.

I like this part. No fumbling for keys with a bag of groceries in your hands.

The only annoying thing is that these locks run on batteries. Many have a backup way to power them from outside, so ask the host how it works before you head out for dinner.

10. A Dinner Doesn’t Always End at the Dinner

There’s a word, “2-cha,” meaning second round. After dinner people might go to a bar, then maybe a third place, or a singing room where you rent a private booth by the hour. Nobody announces the plan ahead of time. It just kind of happens.

It took me a while to realize that I almost never planned the whole night in advance. Dinner was just dinner. Then someone would say, “Should we go somewhere else?” and suddenly the night wasn’t over. You can leave whenever you like, and people generally understand.

I’m sure there are plenty of other things I could add. The things that might seem strange to a visitor are often the ones I don’t even notice anymore.

Check out these related posts:

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<p>The post Everyday Life in Korea: 10 Things That May Surprise Foreigners first appeared on Jian Daddy.</p>

Wheoo-loop. Nyam nyam. Jjeop jjeop.

Eating hot noodles without blowing on them first isn’t easy for anyone. But that combination of sounds — the slurping, the smacking, the open-mouth chewing — is something that grates on a lot of visitors, especially people who grew up being told that making noise while you eat is basically the worst thing you can do at a table.

I get it, honestly. I’m Korean, and even I can’t fully sit through it. If the table next to me at a restaurant starts up with that sound, my appetite just leaves the room. Not every Korean eats like that. But I do think TV has something to do with why it’s still so common.

It’s Been on Screen for Years

Korean dramas and variety shows travel far beyond Korea now, and eating scenes are everywhere in them. One that comes to mind is Boys Over Flowers, where F4 — the wealthy, high-society characters — are shown chewing with their mouths open, smacking as they go. For fans who came to the show through the glossy, upper-class world it was selling, that scene must have landed as a strange contradiction. These are supposed to be the most refined people in the story.

And it’s not a one-off thing. Go looking through the kind of YouTube videos that break down “how tourists from each country behave,” and Korean eating sounds keep coming up as a recurring point. When something shows up again and again across different creators, in different videos, made by people who don’t know each other — that’s usually a sign there’s something real behind it, not just one bad experience someone happened to have.

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This Isn’t How Korean Table Manners Were Supposed to Work

Traditional Korean dining etiquette actually calls for eating quietly. Slurping and smacking were never the standard — they go against what was taught for generations. So when I think about how modern Korea gets seen from the outside through this one habit, it stings a little. It doesn’t cover the whole culture, obviously. But it’s a real habit, and it’s the one a lot of people abroad end up remembering.

Please Don’t Assume This Is All of Us

If you’re visiting Korea and you run into this, I’d rather you not walk away thinking every Korean eats this way. Plenty of us don’t. And plenty of us have opinions about it, too — this is something people here complain about among themselves, not just something foreigners notice from the outside. I’ve seen Koreans get genuinely stressed out by a loud eater at the next table, the same way anyone would.

A habit some people picked up at home, or just never thought twice about, ended up getting broadcast to the whole world through K-dramas and variety shows. Now it’s part of how Korea gets read from outside, whether that’s fair or not.

I don’t know if this post will ever reach the people who actually eat this way. But if you’re reading this and you recognize the habit in yourself, I’d just ask you to notice it a little more, and think about the people sitting near you.

<p>The post Why Do Koreans Eat With Their Mouths Open, Slurping and Smacking? first appeared on Jian Daddy.</p>

There’s a cafe near my place where I keep seeing the same guy by the window. I’ve probably walked past that cafe a dozen times over the last couple of weeks, and somehow he’s always in the same seat. Same laptop, same untouched glass of water next to a coffee cup that’s clearly long empty. The staff don’t seem bothered by it, either. His table doesn’t get cleared, and nobody comes over to ask him to order another drink. He’s just… there.

The first few times I saw this, I assumed something was off — maybe he worked there, or knew the owner. Then I started noticing it in other cafes too. Not just once, either. One woman had textbooks and highlighters spread all over her table, while another table had two people talking like they had completely forgotten what time it was.

So What Do People Actually Do in These Cafes?

This is probably one of the first things I noticed about Korean cafe culture. A cafe here isn’t necessarily just somewhere you go, drink your coffee, and leave. Once you’ve ordered something, there’s usually no feeling that you need to hurry. Someone might stay for an hour. Someone else might stay half the afternoon.

You’ll see freelancers working on laptops, students covering a table with notes before an exam, and people taking video calls with headphones on. And honestly, nobody around them seems to care.

I remember a friend from overseas jokingly asking me, “Do Korean cafes actually make money like this?” I didn’t really know what to say. The tables were still full, people were still ordering, and nobody seemed particularly concerned about how long anyone was sitting there.

And Then You Have to Find an Outlet

There’s another little part of Korean cafe culture that I didn’t really think about until I started paying attention to it: the outlets. Forget the best view. Forget the comfiest chair. If you’re planning to stay for a while, the outlet is what matters. Laptop chargers come out before drinks arrive. Earphones go in. Somewhere between browsing the menu and actually ordering, the cafe has quietly turned into a workspace.

I’ve seen people walk into a cafe, look around for an outlet, and then walk right back out when every good seat is taken. It honestly reminds me of looking for a parking spot. I don’t think most Koreans even think about it anymore. You just look for an outlet without realizing you’re doing it.

Why Some Cafes Feel Like a Library

Some cafes I’ve visited overseas feel completely different. There’s usually more talking, more background noise, and more of that general “people hanging out” feeling. Korean cafes can be surprisingly quiet, especially the ones around universities. During exam season, you can walk into a university-area cafe and hear almost nothing except the espresso machine and the occasional keyboard.

Headphones are everywhere. So are laptops, tablets, textbooks, and people staring at screens for hours. Even when two people come together, they aren’t necessarily talking the whole time.

After Dinner, There’s Always a Second Stop

There’s another thing that visitors sometimes find a little funny: dinner isn’t necessarily the end of the night. If I meet a friend for dinner, there’s a pretty good chance we’ll end up at a cafe afterward.

Nobody is going there because we’re still hungry. We just haven’t finished talking.

That’s where you end up talking about work, relationships, family stuff, or some trip you’ve been planning forever. Dinner gets finished pretty quickly. The conversation can go on for hours. At least for me, the cafe is often where the real conversation starts.

Once You Notice It, There Are Cafes Everywhere

Once you start paying attention, there are cafes everywhere. A big chain might be next to a tiny independent cafe, and then you’ll find another one a few doors down. At first, I thought it was simply because Koreans drink a lot of coffee. But the more I thought about it, the less that explanation seemed to cover everything.

Sometimes it’s a study room. Sometimes it’s an office. Sometimes it’s just somewhere to sit because your apartment feels too small or you don’t want to go home yet.

That’s probably the simplest way I can explain Korean cafe culture.

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There Isn’t Really a Rule

The funny thing is, nobody really teaches you this. There’s no sign saying, “You can stay here for three hours.” You just get used to it. You order your coffee, find a seat, open your laptop or start talking, and before you know it, two or three hours have passed.

Your coffee gets cold, the cup eventually gets empty, and you’re still sitting there. Maybe you’re working. Maybe you’re studying. Maybe you’re just talking to someone you haven’t seen in a while.

I still think about that guy by the window sometimes. Mostly, I wonder how his laptop battery held up.

<p>The post Korean Cafe Culture – Why Nobody Rushes You Out After Your Coffee Is Gone first appeared on Jian Daddy.</p>