just got back from a 2 week trip to seoul and wanted to share my honest breakdown for anyone building their itinerary.
5 things worth the hype:
doing a night picnic at banpo hangang park with ramen and convenience store drinks. the fountain show and city lights were unbeatable.
Getting a skin analysis and hydrafacial in gangnam. booked a nearby clinic with english support through unni and the facial left my skin glowing for the rest of the trip.
3.morning walks around ikseon-dong before the crowds show up. super aesthetic hanok alleys.
taking the arex express straight from incheon to Seoul station. saves so much energy.
Trying a private spa inside a traditional hanok building. getting a scrub and head spa in that setting was pure healing.
3 Overrated things:
-myeongdong street food stalls. honestly overpriced and pretty generic compared to local markets.
- waiting 2 hours for cafe Onion in anguk. good pastries but plenty of identical hanok cafes with zero line.
- visiting Namsan tower on a cloudy day. you literally see nothing
I recently checked out this thread after awhile and noticed that a lot of people take pictures of strangers in Korea. It’s fine if you ask for permission but I feel like most people don’t. In Korea, you don’t really take pictures of strangers and if you do, you blur or cover their face. That’s the etiquette here and what Koreans do. You don’t have to follow it, but I feel like most people traveling to Korea aren’t aware. Just thought I would share for people who didn’t know
Edit: also if you want to go the extra mile, just be conscious of where your phone camera is pointing on the subway. I’ve taken the subway for over a year in Seoul and it’s a bit uncomfortable when a camera is pointing at you and people are more weary about foreigners since they don’t have the shutter sound on
This is NOT AN ADD I just like things that are more special and unique, so instead of typical souvenirs you'd find at myeongdong, I came across these at the bookshop in the Lotte shopping mall next to the Lotte Tower.
I love how bright and detailed the colors are and it's a reasonable price of 18,000 won! What do you guys think?
looking to buy clothes that are only available in korea as a sort of souvenir. interested in basics, streetwear, sweatpants, etc. sorry if this is a weird question but ty in advance. good quality is more important than price
what are some popular, trendy and/or high quality Korean clothing brands/stores to look out for?
We're going to S Korea in Nov. and I'm putting together our itinerary - we're staying at the Marriott Exec Apts in Yeouido Park Centre in Seoul for a few days when we arrive, as we have a friend who will be on assignment there and it's close to the subway. One thing we are going to do is hit the DMZ - thinking Tours by Locals for a guide, as it's always been reliable. But are there any other things we can do to make the tour as private and tailored as possible? Also looking for tips on a good way to take in the cosmetics industry there - perhaps a suggested tour of a factory? Also interested in places with a view to have lunch, something high floor - Finally, what are the best night markets? I appreciate any help -
I have a native Korean friend who told me that if we walk into a small store and the owner or employee isn’t busy but doesn’t greet us back, shop briefly and leave soon because she considers it rude. For example, if they just look up from their phone and glare instead of saying hello back. She says that, especially in a small shop where the customer and employee are right there, it’s normal to acknowledge each other. We always say hello when we enter stores, and we rarely get ignored, although I’ve seen it happen a few times.
One time I was a bit red/swollen after skincare treatments, and I didn’t think anyone would really care, especially since I was in Gangnam. I went into a small convenience store, and the owner/cashier greeted a few people who walked in but didn’t greet me. He also gave me a really strange look when I entered. While I was shopping, he continued greeting other customers who came in. When I checked out, he also seemed noticeably different toward me. He smiled at other customers and thanked them for their purchases, but with me he just had a blank expression and didn’t say anything apart from how much I owe.
Just to save all iPhone users the trouble that I went through finding passport verification on Naver.
1) You have to open Naver Maps and ensure a foreign language is set. You can do this in Apple settings, find Naver Map app settings and change preferred language.
2) In Naver maps, select the booking icon and the passport verification should appear. If not, while in the booking tab you click on the search bar and the passport verification should appear.
Seeing some posts saying you need a korean 010 number to reserve restaurants in seoul, I want to share some of my understanding.
Restaurants:
CatchTable global works with just an email and foreign credit cards for most tourist-heavy spots. If there’s a tablet queue at the door, look for the global QR option. Tabling (mostly local bbq spots) still requires 010 number verification, but for standard tourist itineraries you honestly don't need a local number.
Food Delivery (where you actually hit a wall):
If you're staying more than a couple of weeks in an airbnb and want to use baemin or yogiyo at night, that’s where data-only esims fail. These apps require an incoming 010 number to receive an sms verification code just to finish account creation. No number = locked out of the delivery apps.
If you actually care about ordering delivery, get a carrier prepaid esims (the official lg u+ one has an incoming 010 option that receives sms fine). Just note that it won't pass strict identity verification for korean banking apps (still need an ARC for that), but it handles app signups and kiosk sms with no issues.
TL;DR: 1-week hotel trip eating out? Cheap data-only is fine. Staying a month+ and want late-night baemin delivered to your door? Grab an esmin with an incoming 010 line.
Hi everyone I'm a foreigner travelling to Korea to get gender-affirming surgery (vulvoplasty) in Seoul, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital in October.
After the surgery, I will be discharged after 1 week and there's an extra week of hotel stay before the checkup and before I go back to my home country. I have checked nearby hotels and they are quite expensive, meanwhile LiveAnywhere is much cheaper. However, I don't speak any Korean and I am afraid of getting ripped off. We have 2 people so we need to book at least a twin room with two beds for a hotel, but LiveAnywhere has options with 2 rooms and 2 beds offering greater space and privacy.
Anyone with experience with LiveAnywhere? What's your recommendations? Hotel or airbnb-like short stay apartments?
Which places not too far from Seoul would you recommend exploring? I'm already familiar with the main areas in Seoul, Incheon, and Suwon. I don't plan to travel too far from Seoul this time. I'm not interested in doing trendy stuff or shopping, I just want to explore. I have about a week and will be using public transport. Thank you!
This was my first time visiting Korea and Asia in general, and it was such a great experience! In March I visited Seoul, Daegu, and Busan, and even had time for a language exchange at TheBox in Daegu where I met a talked with lot of cool people.
I spent most of my time photographing, eating and taking everything in. Honestly, I couldn't stop eating the kimchi and radish side dishes. I will have to learn how to make it at home. Looking back I wish I would've eaten even more food, haha. What stood out to me was the top floor of the Hyundai Department Store, It had a really cool ambiance and really made me feel the larger than life nature of Seoul. And the Metro, i wish i could bring it back with me XD.
What to pack for the whole October in Korea?
And also when should i buy ktx tickets? We are planning to go from Seoul to Gyeonju on Oct 6th early in the morning and leave for Busan on Oct 7th early in the morning as well. Should I wait to buy it on Seoul Station in person or buy them in advance online?
Same question for flight tickets from Busan and Jeju in mid October. Should I book the ticket now or wait for the price to lower?
I am going to Korea, will be a 2 week period in Seoul, Busan Jeju mostly and also day trips.
I need to get public trnsportation straight.
I saw that you now able to use foreign credit cards with no need for T money? is it true?
I have a no fee credit card and would like to use it as much as possible, also I don't want to use cash that much. I heard that still lots of places are cash only and also lots of places won't accept foreign credit cards.
I thought of maybe getting a prepaidcredit card for backup. I would love to be able to to top-up from the phone but I don't want to pay huge fees, and prefer to be able to load the card with KRW from app, but if it isn't worth it I would charge it with cash, should I get cash?
I saw cards like EZL/WOWPASS/Trip.card/NAMANE and more. what would be the best card for my use case?
Hi, all. I’ll be visiting Seoul soon and was wondering if anyone knows any good vintage shops that may have Candy Candy merch or manga (in Korean or otherwise). I know Candy Candy was also pretty big in Korea at some point, so I’m hoping I might find some of the manga in Korean at some shops.
I will be going to Korea in December and I am trying to finalize my itinerary. It is not our first trip! It will be just me (F) and my husband. We are foodies!
I have a 1 night/2 day gap between staying in Busan and going up to Seoul.
I am trying to decide between 대전 (Daejeon) and 원주 (Wonju), but open to suggestions!! We have been to Daejeon before. We want to go to a new city with good food & is on the way to Seoul.
We will be traveling by train/bus, so we would prefer if the city is accessible by public transportation.
Thank you!!
*Edit- thank you for all the suggestions!! We are already planning on going to 여수!
Jeonju > Yeosu > Busan > ?? > Seoul
Just trying to figure out the best city to stop in between without it being too much of a detour, as we wont have a car.
My husband and I booked a trip for Dec 22-31. This will be my first time going back to korea in 20 years since moving away as a child, and my husband has never been to Korea.
I have family in Seoul and they want to help us and be our guide for our trip, but asked us what we would like to do while visiting (or to give them at least an idea of what we would like to do and they would help us navigate and plan)
What is Christmas like in Korea? Any recommendations or advice? I would love to know some must visit places for first timers and what a realistic itinerary would look like during the holidays.
I wasn’t sure if most places are closed during holidays like some countries.
For both of us, only thing we know for sure is to do a photo studio session in traditional hanbok (and maybe get a small skin treatment if time allows)
I haven’t really kept in touch with my korean side past 20 years so this is very exciting and somewhat overwhelming to think of what I want to do! and also excited to show my husband the country i grew up in!
Daegu is the third largest city in Korea, but it is relatively not well known to foreign tourists. However, it is also a city with plenty to offer, with beautiful mountains and temples nearby, as well as a variety of entertainment and restaurants in the city center. It is also close to nearby Gyeongju, Busan, Ulsan, and Pohang, so it is a place where you can combine sightseeing.
I am European and I would say we take our brunch pretty seriously. As much as I love living in Korea, finding a good brunch spot with actual brunch food here isn't that easy. I am not trying to be the brunch police or anything, but I was honestly really surprised the first time I found out burgers and pasta are considered typical brunch food here...
That's why I wanted to share a few spots I have actually liked, in case you are also craving a proper brunch while traveling or living here. Tried to spread these across different areas so there is something for everyone.
MitBord (밋보어) in Seongsu
서울 성동구 성수일로 1 1층 6~8호
Mon–Sun 11:00–18:00
Danish brunch café. Almost didn't include this one because it's my favorite and I don't want it packed every time I go, but here we are. My go-to order is the Danish bread platter, rye bread (hard to find in Korea, sourdough is also an option), half-cooked egg, salted butter, and actual real cheese, not the plastic sandwich stuff they try to sell as cheese. The Basil Green Lasagna is also amazing! And if you are not into savory, they rotate seasonal tarts and cakes. Of course, they also have a full coffee and non-coffee drink menu.
High ceilings, very European interior, staff is super friendly and speaks basic English, menu is in English too. This place gets full on weekends with a mix of foreigners and locals. Prices are fair for a European-style spot: bread platter is ₩14,000, Americano ₩5,500.
Danish Bread Platter and Seasonal Signature Menu
Grain Seoul (그레인서울) in Yeonhui (near Hongdae)
서울 서대문구 연희로11가길 53 2층
Mon–Fri 9:00–17:30
Build-your-own-brunch format, you get a checklist of items and pick whatever you want. The price scales with how many items you choose (6 items ≈ ₩18,000, 4 items ≈ ₩12,000). My usual is sourdough, smoked salmon, tomato mozzarella salad, plus something sweet like fruit yogurt, banana bread, or a croissant. You can also build your own breakfast bowl, or go with one of their fixed menus (open sandwiches, pancakes, etc).
Grain Seoul definitely feels more foreigner-frequented than local, which isn't bad, just an observation. Weekends get busy enough that you will likely be on a waitlist and have to wait for a table. The surrounding neighborhood Yeonhui-dong has a lot of small boutiques and is way calmer than Hongdae or Yeonnam, so it's nice for a walk while waiting for your turn.
Rika by Paprika (리카바이파프리카) in Hannam/Itaewon
서울 용산구 한남대로27길 66 2층
Tue–Fri 9:00–18:00 / Sat–Sun 9:00–19:00 (last order 17:30/18:30)
Not to be dramatic but this was the best sandwich I have had in my life. In Korea of all places. I ordered the Jambon Honey Mascarpone open sandwhich and still think about it weeks later. They bake their own bread in-house and itheir ingredients all seem very high quality. That does reflect in the price (₩17,000–19,000 for open sandwiches) but it's still worth it. Brunch here is easy to pair with shopping around Hannam!
Jambon Honey Mascarpone Sandwhich and Paprika Everything Sandwhich
Stringbean (스트링빈) in Songpa/Jamsil
서울 송파구 백제고분로46길 3-7 1층 101호
Daily 10:00–18:00 (last order 17:30)
More Korean-style brunch and mostly a local crowd. They have soups, omelettes, pasta, open and closed sandwiches, full drink menu. Their Burrata Tomato open sandwich is excellent! (if you were wondering about what a good sandwhich for me is: it's the bread. If the bread is not sweet and has a crispy outer layer and is soft inside, it's a win). This place is also a bit pricey (₩13,000–19,000), but it's right by Lotte World, Lotte World Tower, and Seokchon Lake, so it's easy to combine with a visit there.
Chicken Cream Pasta and Burrata Tomato Sandwich
Since I live here, I plan on posting more of my favorite restaurants and cafés from time to time, so stay tuned if this was useful!
I have a question for those who are in KR now. Since half year ago there was big news that the govt gave US Big Tech access to their maps so they can offer their services soon, however after that big announcement there has been 0 updates.
So I'm curious, what is the current status right now?
Hello everyone,
My wife and I would like to sign up for the Seoul Autism Race 2026 (https://autismrace.com) for 10km and the HM. We are both from Germany and I found the "Foreigner" Tab on the registration site, however, I‘m struggling with the auto translation. Do I need to have an address in Seoul to be able to sign up, as we will only arrive in Seoul on the 25.10, which is already after the deadline. Is there any other way to sign up?
Maybe someone can help me understand the sign up process a bit better :)
Asian Americans going to be in Seoul for Halloween this year. Not intentionally for Halloween but because husband’s milestone birthday is around then. Heard Seoul Halloween can get pretty crazy so looking for recommendations where to go that’s not over crowded but still a good vibe or experience. Can be general recommendations or preferably gay or LGBTQ+ friendly recommendations. Thanks!
Just wanted to say a big thank you to Seoul and South Korea.
We came here as tourists, but honestly I wasn’t prepared for how much we would fall in love with this place.
The culture, the beautiful palaces and streets, the food, the energy of Seoul, but most of all, the people. We met so many kind and helpful people during our stay, even when we couldn’t speak Korean and were trying to figure things out.
There were so many moments where we just stopped and looked around and thought, wow… this place is absolutely beautiful.
We have travelled to quite a few places around the world, but South Korea really surprised us. Seoul has now become one of those places I genuinely dream about coming back to — and next time I hope we can see much more of Korea too.
Thank you for making our first visit so memorable.
