Looking for local tips on the best eats, shopping, and public manners? We’ve put together the ultimate guide for first-time travelers, including tax refund tips and emergency contact information. Your perfect Korean adventure starts here! 👭
📍 Restaurants & Cafes
📝 When You Order
- Many restaurants & cafes now use kiosks for ordering and payment.
- In most cafes, you order at the counter and pick up your own drinks. Secure a table first before heading to the counter.
🍜 Dining Manners
- Side dishes are usually free and refillable, but avoid wasting food by taking only what you need.
- If you see a self-bar, feel free to help yourself whenever you need them.
- Cutlery and tissues are often stored in a drawer built into the side of the table.
- Please refrain from bringing in outside food.
💳 At the Counter
- Bring your receipt to the counter for payment when you're ready to leave.
- There is no need to leave a tip in Korea. The price you see on the menu is the final price you pay.
• No smoking inside restaurants & cafes. • Many restaurants take a break between 3PM and 5PM. • Use the table-top call bell for assistance. • You may need a key or password for the restroom.
🔍 How to Find the Best Eats in Korea
1️⃣ Use Naver Map or KakaoMap for the most reliable star ratings and reviews. 2️⃣ Look for the Blue Ribbon Survey sticker—Korea’s premier food guide since 2005.
📍 Shopping & Duty-Free
- Bring a Bag! 🛍️ Shopping bags aren't free in Korea. Carry a reusable one!
- Most shopping malls, restaurants & cafes prefer card payments. Carrying between ₩50,000 to 100,000 in cash is enough.
- Save your cash for street snacks and traditional markets!
Immediate Tax Refund
With this new service, you can pay the tax excluded price when shopping in Korea. There is no need to go through a separate tax refund procedure when leaving the country. 🪪 For whom? any foreign tourist staying in Korea for less than 6 months 💵 Tax refund available for single purchases of ₩15,000 or more 💰Refund limit? Up to ₩1,000,000 per transaction, total of ₩5,000,000 🛍️ Locations Department stores, large supermarkets, convenience stores (CU, GS25), OLIVE YOUNG stores, etc. (with the TAX FREE or tax Refund sign)
You can check the stores or markets where instant tax refunds are available on the Trip. PASS app.
📍 Public Transport
🚃 Subway
- Use subway train car numbers for quick transfers.
- Storage lockers are available for luggage (at a fee).
- Press the bell near the wheelchair access gate if you got on the wrong side or if you are in need of urgent access to a restroom.
🚌 Bus
- Not allowed to board with a drink that's not in a bottle.
- Each passenger is allowed to bring a suitcase weighing less than 20kg, with dimensions not exceeding 50×40×20cm.
- Additional fees will be charged if you do not tag your transportation card when getting off
- Buses are also going cashless. We recommend purchasing a transportation card.
🚕 Taxi
- Passengers must open and close the taxi door themselves when getting on/off.
- For safety reasons, the left side door is not accessible from inside the taxi.
✔️ Speaking loudly on the phone or having loud conversations on public transport is considered disrespectful. ✔️ It is standard manner in Korea to leave priority seats (for the elderly, pregnant women, or the disabled) vacant, even if the bus or subway is not crowded. ✔️ KakaoMap and Naver Map are essential tools for navigating public transport.
🚨 In Case of Emergencies
🚓 Police / Emergency
📞 Police: 112 Reporting Crimes & Emergency Situations ✅ Language Support: English and Chinese (Available 24/7) 📞 Fire and Ambulance: 119 Reporting Fires, Medical Emergencies, and Rescue Requests ✅ Language Support: Connected via a three-way call with an interpreter
If you have any trouble making a call, you can use the 'Baro Emergency Reporting App' (긴급신고 바로) to report incidents without language barriers.
📩 Tourism & Administrative Inquiries
📞 Korea Travel Hotline: 1330 A 24-hour tourism information hotline operated by the Korea Tourism Organization. It provides information on attractions, transportation, and accommodation, as well as real-time interpretation services to assist with communicating with taxi drivers. ✅ Language Support: Available in 8 languages, including English, Chinese, and Japanese 📞 Dasan Call Center: 120 A service for reporting travel-related inconveniences, including transportation info, missing person reports, lost and found, and inquiries regarding Seoul city policies. ✅ Language Support: English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Mongolian (Weekdays 09:00–18:00)
💬 Fun Facts About K-Culture
🔥 Ever heard of Pali-Pali (Hurry, Hurry) culture? While it might seem hectic or busy, it means services like hospital visits and administrative inquiries are handled faster than anywhere else! 🔥 Surprised by strangers asking your age right away? It’s not meant to be rude—it’s because social titles and how people address each other change based on age. 🔥 Sharing is caring! Sharing dishes is a very common part of Korean dining culture. If you prefer to eat individually, feel free to let your companions know in advance.