9 Things to be Prepared for in Korea

After staying in Korea for a couple months, there are a few things I have noticed are different from what I'm used to. In this post I will be sharing some of these, varying from moderately impactful to seemingly insignificant, that I think would be useful to be prepared for.

Hilly/Mountainous Terrain

Korea is a highly mountainous country with hilly terrain. There will be a lot of walking so having good shoes is essential.

Crowded Areas

For a small country, Korea's population is very high. As one of the most densely populated countries in the world, you are bound to get some crowded areas. Be prepared for busy streets and public transport, especially during rush hours.

Cash vs Card

Most stores and restaurants take both cash and card as payment, however, many street food/market stalls only accept cash. I find it helpful to always have both cash and card on hand as there will be places that only accept one of them.

Restaurant Etiquette

It is common for restaurants to have you pay at the counter on the way out after eating. Oftentimes, you will get a receipt/piece of paper with what you have ordered that you need to bring to the counter when paying. There is also no need to tip.

When you're done eating, some places will have you bus your own table. This includes most cafes and some restaurants. If there is no designated area for return, usually return will be the same place where pick-up is. 

Listed Allergens

A lot of food in Korea does not have listed allergens, so be careful if you have any dietary restrictions. For example, finding vegetarian/vegan food can be a struggle since many dishes are meat-based. Some foods also use seafood/shellfish even though it may not be the main part of the dish.

Crosswalk

There is no need to press the crosswalk buttons in Korea when wanting to cross the street. Pressing the button will trigger an audio cue that is meant to help people with sight impairment. The lights themselves are automated and will turn green when it is safe to cross the street.

Trash Cans

Public trash cans are not very common. When they do exist, they might be meant for recycling or other specific trash. Make sure to check before throwing something away.

Naver Maps

When navigating around the country/city, Naver Maps is your best friend. It is the Korean equivalent of Google Maps since Google Maps itself does not work very well in Korea. 

Fitting Rooms

Some stores may ask you to remove your shoes before entering a fitting room. If they do, there will be a little raised platform for you to stand on in the fitting room and there will usually be a sign asking you to remove your shoes.

For people who wear make-up, there might be a mesh bag to put over your face when trying on clothes. This is to prevent the clothing from getting dirty.