30 short, useful notes on how things work in Korea — written for first-timers, not anthropologists. Skim before your trip, search when you’re stuck.
Inside any house, traditional restaurant, hanok, temple or guesthouse.
Watch for a raised step at the entrance, a row of slippers, or a shoe locker. If you see other people’s shoes lined up, yours go there too. Avoid stepping on the wooden floor with shoes still on — it’s a faux pas everyone will notice.
Two hands when pouring or receiving from someone older.
Hold the bottle with your right hand and lightly support your right forearm with your left. To receive a drink from an older person, hold the cup with both hands and turn your head slightly away while taking the first sip. Among friends of similar age it’s less formal.
Vendors, monks, kids — ask first.
It’s legally and culturally expected to ask before close-up shots of people, especially market vendors, monks and children. A friendly gesture toward your camera and a 사진 괜찮아요? (sa-jin gwaen-cha-na-yo? — "is a photo okay?") covers it.
No shoes in the main hall, no pointing your feet at the Buddha.
Speak quietly. Walk clockwise around halls and pagodas. If you bow or sit, keep your feet tucked away from the altar. Photography is okay outside but often restricted inside main halls.
Pinky-and-thumb mini-heart is universal love.
You’ll see it everywhere — at photo spots, in cafes, at concerts. Use it freely. Beckoning with palm up + finger curl is mildly rude (it’s how Koreans call dogs); use palm down + four fingers waving.
Business cards, gifts, payments — two hands, slight bow.
A small gesture that goes a long way. When given a business card, hold it for a beat and read it before pocketing. When paying, place card or cash in the small tray on the counter — handing it directly is also fine.
Big button = STOP. Skip the rest if you’re unsure.
Most modern toilets in cafes, hotels and offices have a control panel in Korean. Look for a large square red button — that’s STOP. Other buttons typically include 비데 (rear wash), 여성 (front wash), 건조 (dry), 수압 (pressure).
Modern buildings: in the toilet. Old buildings: in the bin.
In most newer hotels, malls and offices, flushing is fine. In some older buildings, traditional markets and small restaurants, you’ll see a small lidded bin — that’s where used paper goes. If the sign on the door asks you to use the bin, follow it.
Plastic, paper, cans, general — sort it.
Even at convenience stores you’re expected to sort. Plastic bottles get the cap and label removed; cans get crushed. If unsure, ask the cashier and they’ll point.
Don’t stick chopsticks vertically into rice. Don’t pass food chopstick-to-chopstick.
Both gestures evoke funeral rituals. Lay chopsticks across the bowl or on the rest. If you need to share food, use the serving spoon, or place items directly onto the other person’s plate.
Water, side dishes, refills — get up and grab.
At gimbap shops, gukbap places, and Korean BBQ, watch what locals do. Water dispensers are by the door; banchan refills are usually unlimited and on a counter or in the fridge. Stack your tray when you leave.
Ask 더 주세요 (deo ju-se-yo) for more.
The little side dishes that appear before your main are free, refillable, and meant to be shared by the table. Try a bit of each — that’s how Koreans build flavor through the meal.
Soju+BBQ joints often don’t serve solo diners.
Galbi, samgyeopsal and budae jjigae menus often list "2인분 이상부터 주문 가능" — "minimum two portions." Don’t take it personally; it’s about kitchen economics. Look for revolving sushi, gimbap shops, kal-guksu or solo-friendly cafes if dining alone.
Ask for 덜 맵게 (deol maep-ge) — "less spicy."
안 맵게 = not spicy. 덜 맵게 = less spicy. 보통 = normal. 매운맛 = spicy. 아주 맵게 = very spicy. Many places adjust mild on request — just ask before ordering.
Waiters won’t hover. Press the button on your table.
Most casual restaurants have a small button on the table. Press it once and a server comes over. Calling out "여기요" (yeo-gi-yo — "over here") also works.
Eat near the stall, return the dish, cash is king.
Step aside after buying so the line keeps moving. Eat standing or at the stall’s counter; don’t walk-and-eat in narrow alleys. Return ceramic plates and skewers to the bin or the vendor.
Subway elevators and bus boarding are the gray zones.
Korea queues well at cafes, restaurants and ticket counters. The exceptions are bus boarding at busy stops (people fan out) and crowded subway elevators where older riders may step in front. It’s not personal — just hold your spot.
Pink seats and end seats: leave them for elderly, pregnant, disabled.
Even if the train is empty, locals avoid the priority seats. If you sit in one and an older person boards, stand up immediately. Pregnancy seats (pink) require leaving them empty for pregnant riders.
Whisper or text. Don’t take video calls.
Voice calls on subway cars are tolerated but kept very quiet. Speakerphone or video calls in public transit will draw stares and sometimes a polite ssh from staff.
Designated booths only. Fines start at ₩100,000.
All restaurants, cafes, bars and public transport are smoke-free. Look for the round 흡연실 (smoking room) signs near subway exits, parks and offices. Vaping follows the same rules. Throwing a butt on the ground can be fined.
Hangang parks, beaches, convenience-store tables — fine.
Public drinking is legal in most public spaces, including parks and beaches. Being visibly drunk in transit hubs can get you escorted out. Don’t drink inside subway cars.
Tap-and-go is standard. Carry ₩30,000 cash for markets and old eateries.
Convenience stores, taxis, cafes and chain restaurants take all major cards. Traditional markets (Gwangjang, Tongin) and very old neighborhood eateries are mostly cash. AMEX and Discover are accepted patchier than Visa/Mastercard.
Service charge is built into prices. Tipping can confuse staff.
Tipping is not customary anywhere except a handful of high-end hotels. If you want to thank someone, a sincere 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da) works better than money.
Light stick required, ticket-only entry, no late seating.
Most fandoms expect a member-color light stick. Bags are searched. Late-comers may be held in the lobby until the next break. Bring your passport — it’s checked against the booking name.
Shoes off at the door. Naked in same-gender bath. Pajamas in common areas.
Order: shoe locker → reception → locker room (strip down) → wash thoroughly at a shower stool → soak. The common area (saunas, food court, sleeping room) is mixed-gender and you wear the issued pajamas there.
Pay by the hour. Coin noraebang = single song.
Private rooms run ₩15,000–25,000/hr per room. Coin noraebang booths charge per song (~₩1,000). Most have an English mode in the remote — toggle 영어 / EN. Cheers when someone hits a high note; pour for each other.
Each district sells its own colored bag.
Apartment trash must go in the district’s official 종량제 봉투. If staying at an Airbnb, your host should leave bags — using a regular plastic bag can result in a small fine. Convenience stores sell them by liter (5L, 10L, 20L).
Entry to Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung etc. is waived.
Numerous rental shops around Insa-dong, Bukchon and Gyeongbokgung rent hanbok by the hour (₩15,000–35,000). Wearing hanbok grants free entry to the four royal palaces and Jongmyo Shrine. Most shops include hair styling and a locker for your clothes.
Itaewon Homo Hill, Jongno 3-ga, KQCF in summer.
Public-display safety varies by neighborhood. Friendly bar and club scenes cluster around Itaewon "Homo Hill" and Jongno 3-ga. The Korea Queer Culture Festival usually runs end-of-spring to early summer. Heavy PDA is uncommon for any couple in public.
Use the elevator-only exits; they’re marked on Naver/Kakao maps.
Older stations may only have one accessible exit. The Naver Map and Kakao Map apps label them with elevator icons; the Seoul Subway app has accessibility filters. Staff will help with the gap if you wave at the platform booth.