Planning your first trip to Korea?
If a friend were visiting Korea for the first time, these are the kinds of things I would actually tell them before they came.
Not the basic advice you can find in every guide, but the small everyday details that can make a trip much easier: how spicy food really works, when cash still helps, what to expect at cafés, what changes when you travel with kids, why popular places can have serious lines, and a few things that simply feel normal when you live here.
I live in Korea and travel with my family, so a lot of these tips come from situations I run into in everyday life.
You do not need to memorize all 20. Just knowing a few of them before you arrive can save time, avoid awkward moments, and make your first trip feel much smoother.
Quick Summary: 20 Things to Know Before Visiting Korea
The short version is simple: Korea is easy to travel around once you understand a few local habits.
Cards are used almost everywhere, but cash still helps at markets. Food is not always as spicy as it looks. Families should check no-kids, outside-food, and pet policies before making a special trip. Public trash cans can be harder to find than expected. Popular restaurants can have long lines. And if you already know your KTX date, book it early.
Here are the 20 tips I would give a friend before their first visit.
1. Many Spicy Dishes Can Be Made Milder
Korean food has a reputation for being spicy, but that does not mean every dish has to be painfully hot.
A lot of restaurants let you choose a spice level, especially for foods such as tteokbokki, spicy chicken, stews, and some noodle dishes.
Even when the menu does not show different levels, it can still be worth asking whether the dish can be made less spicy.
Of course, not every restaurant or every dish can be adjusted. But if a friend told me they were worried about Korean food being too spicy, I would tell them not to give up on a dish before asking.
Local Dad Tip: If you are traveling with children, always ask about the spice level first. A dish that tastes only slightly spicy to a Korean adult can feel very different to a child.
2. Korea Is Mostly a Card Country — But Markets Can Be Different
If you are wondering how much cash to carry in Korea, I would not bring a large amount.
Cards are used almost everywhere in daily life. I pay by card at restaurants, cafés, convenience stores, supermarkets, shopping malls, and most other places.
For a visitor, I would think of Korea as a card-first country with cash as a backup.
Traditional markets, street stalls, and some very small shops can be different. A seller may prefer cash, and occasionally you may find a place where cash is simply easier.
So I would carry a physical credit card and a small amount of Korean won rather than relying entirely on one payment method.
Local Dad Tip: If you plan to spend a lot of time in traditional markets, keep a little more cash than you normally would.
3. At Cafes, Check for a Seat Before You Order
This is one of those small habits that feels obvious when you live in Korea but may not be obvious to a visitor.
At many Korean cafés, you order and pay at the counter before sitting down.
But if the café is crowded, I usually check whether there is an available table first.
There is nothing worse than ordering several drinks, turning around, and realizing that every seat has disappeared.
You will also sometimes see people place a bag, jacket, or other item on a chair to show that the seat is taken.
If you are traveling as a family, it is especially useful to have one person find a table while the other person orders.
4. Some Places Have No-Kids Zones
Korea is generally very family-friendly, but not every café, restaurant, or accommodation welcomes young children.
You may see places described as a “No Kids Zone.”
This usually means young children are not allowed, although the exact age rule can differ from one business to another.
If I am going somewhere new with my kids, especially a small café or a popular restaurant, I try to check first rather than finding out after we arrive.
This is particularly useful when you have already spent time traveling across Seoul just to visit one place.
Local Dad Tip: Before making a special trip with children, check the business description, recent reviews, or contact the venue if the policy is unclear.
5. Outside Food May Be Restricted — But Baby Food Is Different
Some cafés, restaurants, attractions, and indoor facilities in Korea do not allow outside food.
But traveling with a baby is a little different.
If your baby needs formula, baby food, or a specific meal, I would ask the staff before assuming that you cannot bring it inside.
In my experience, staff are often understanding when you explain that the food is for a baby.
I have also had places help warm baby food in a microwave when one was available.
That is not something I would expect every business to do, but it is always worth asking politely.
Local Dad Tip: Ask before opening outside food at the table. A simple explanation that it is for your baby can make the situation much easier.
6. Late-Night Takeout Can Be Great for Parents
One thing I really appreciate about Korea is how many restaurants and food shops stay open late.
If you are traveling with young children, this can be surprisingly useful.
When my kids are tired, I do not always want to take them back out for a late dinner. Sometimes the easier option is to get them settled, put them to bed, and then pick up food or order delivery for the adults.
That can make the evening much more relaxed.
Many neighborhoods in Korea still have plenty of food options available late at night, especially in larger cities.
Local Dad Tip: If your children are exhausted after a long day, do not feel like you have to squeeze in one more restaurant. Late-night takeout can be a much better ending to the day.
7. Check the Rules Before Bringing Food or Pets
Korea has many parks, attractions, cafés, and public spaces where families can relax, but the rules are not always the same everywhere.
Some places restrict outside food, and some parks, cafés, attractions, or indoor facilities may not allow pets.
If I am going somewhere with food, kids, or a pet, I usually check the rules first instead of assuming everything will be allowed.
This is especially useful if you are planning a picnic or visiting a place that requires a long trip across the city.
Pet access can also be more limited than some visitors expect, especially indoors.
Local Dad Tip: Before going out of your way to visit a specific place, check its food and pet policy in advance.
8. Public Trash Cans Can Be Hard to Find
This surprises a lot of visitors.
Korea is very clean in many places, but public trash cans are not always easy to find on the street.
If you buy street food, coffee, or snacks while walking around, you may end up carrying the trash longer than you expected.
I usually keep a small plastic bag in my backpack or stroller just in case.
Subway stations, larger shopping malls, rest areas, and some convenience stores are often better places to look for a trash bin.
Local Dad Tip: If you are traveling with kids, keeping one small trash bag in your day bag makes life much easier.
9. Leaving Your Belongings Briefly Is More Common Than You Might Expect
In Korean cafés, you may notice people leaving a bag, jacket, laptop, or phone at a table while they order or go to the restroom.
That can feel unusual if you come from a place where you would never leave anything unattended.
Personally, if I am with my kids and need to rush to the restroom for a moment, I do not panic about leaving a jacket or bag at the table.
This kind of behavior is fairly common in Korea.
That said, I would not treat this as a guarantee that theft never happens.
Passports, wallets, large amounts of cash, and other valuables are still worth keeping with you.
Local Dad Tip: Leaving a jacket or shopping bag for a moment is common. Leaving your passport and wallet is a different story.
10. Families With Young Children May Be Able to Use Priority Airport Lanes
If you are traveling through Incheon Airport with a young child, there is one airport service worth knowing about.
Children under 7 are included in the airport’s priority service for passengers who need extra assistance. Eligible travelers can use designated priority lanes, and up to three accompanying passengers can use the service together.
For departure, you may need to verify eligibility at your airline check-in counter first before using the priority lane.
Incheon Airport also lists children under 7 among travelers eligible for priority immigration processing.
This can make a big difference when you are carrying a sleeping child, pushing a stroller, or managing multiple bags.
Local Dad Tip: If you are traveling with a baby or a child under 7, ask the airline or airport staff about the priority lane before joining the regular line.
11. Water and Basic Side Dishes Are Often Free
At many Korean restaurants, drinking water is free.
Basic side dishes, or banchan, are also usually included with the meal.
If you finish a side dish you like, you can often ask for more.
Sometimes the restaurant has a self-service area, so instead of asking the staff, you simply refill the side dishes yourself.
But there is one thing to keep in mind.
If a side dish is actually one of the restaurant’s main specialties, or if it is listed separately on the menu, it may not be free.
Local Dad Tip: If you are not sure, just ask. In most places, staff will tell you whether refills are free or self-service.
12. Public Restrooms Are Usually Inside Buildings
If you suddenly need a restroom while walking around Korea, do not expect to find many standalone public toilets on the street.
I usually look for a subway station, department store, shopping mall, large café, or public facility instead.
Those places are often the easiest and most reliable options.
This matters even more when you are traveling with children, because “I need to go now” usually means exactly that.
Local Dad Tip: When I am out with my kids, I mentally remember where the nearest subway station or large shopping building is. It saves a lot of stress.
13. Some Soups and Stews Are Meant for Two or More People
Korea has a huge variety of soups, stews, and hot-pot dishes.
But not every menu item is designed for one person.
Some dishes labeled as jjigae, jeongol, or certain types of tang may be sold as a shared dish for two or more people.
That can be confusing if you are traveling alone or if everyone in your group wants something different.
There are also plenty of single-person soups and stews, so this is not a rule for every dish.
I would just check the menu carefully, especially when the price looks much higher than a normal individual meal.
Local Dad Tip: If you see “2인분” on the menu, that means the minimum order is for two people.
14. In Korea, People Usually Use Umbrellas
This is a small cultural difference I notice whenever I travel abroad.
In some countries, people seem much more comfortable walking through light rain with a hood or waterproof jacket.
In Korea, most people reach for an umbrella.
Shops, malls, and other indoor places often have umbrella stands, plastic umbrella covers, or machines near the entrance to help keep floors dry.
If you walk into a store soaking wet and dripping water everywhere, it may feel a little awkward.
I am not saying you will be refused entry because you are wet, but keeping rainwater off the floor is generally considered polite.
Local Dad Tip: A small folding umbrella is one of the easiest things to keep in your bag during Korea’s rainy season.
15. Popular Restaurants Can Have Serious Lines
Koreans are very willing to line up for food.
A famous restaurant, bakery, café, or street-food stall can have a long queue, especially on weekends.
If you are traveling with young children, I would think carefully before planning to wait for an hour just because a place is famous online.
When there is somewhere I really want to visit with my family, I prefer to go early.
But even an “open run” is not always enough.
For very popular places, people may already be waiting well before opening time.
So if a restaurant opens at 11:00, do not be shocked if people are already lining up much earlier.
Local Dad Tip: With kids, I would rather arrive early, eat comfortably, and move on than spend half the day standing in a famous line.
16. Book Popular Train Routes Early
If you are planning to take the KTX to places such as Busan, Daegu, or Gyeongju, I would not wait until the last minute to buy tickets.
Popular trains can fill up, especially on weekends, public holidays, and busy travel periods.
Korail normally opens ticket sales about one month before departure, so if your dates are fixed, it is worth checking as soon as booking opens.
This matters even more when you are traveling as a family and want several seats together.
Local Dad Tip: If I already know my intercity travel date, I book the train first and plan the rest of the day around it.
17. Seoul Rush Hour Can Change Your Entire Schedule
Seoul traffic can be much heavier than visitors expect.
If you take a taxi or bus during morning or evening rush hour, a trip that looks short on the map can take much longer.
The subway is usually more predictable for travel time, but rush hour can be extremely crowded.
Koreans sometimes jokingly call it “hell subway” because of how packed trains can become.
That is why I think your hotel location matters more than many first-time visitors realize.
I would choose a place close to the area where you expect to spend most of your time, rather than choosing a hotel only because it looks central on a map.
Local Dad Tip: With kids, luggage, or a stroller, avoiding one unnecessary cross-city trip every day can make a huge difference.
18. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Locals for Help
You do not need to speak Korean perfectly to ask for help.
Many younger Koreans have studied English for years at school, even if they do not feel confident speaking it.
If you are lost or confused, a short English sentence, a map on your phone, and a translation app can often be enough.
I would not expect every person to speak English, but I also would not be afraid to ask.
In my experience, most people will at least try to point you in the right direction.
Local Dad Tip: Showing the place name, address, or map on your phone is usually easier than trying to explain everything with words.
19. Older Adults May Be More Affectionate With Children
If you are traveling with young children, you may notice older Koreans smiling at them, talking to them, or sometimes even gently touching their hair or cheek.
This kind of behavior still exists in Korea and is usually meant as affection, not as something threatening.
It can feel surprising if you come from a culture where adults rarely touch children they do not know.
You do not need to panic if it happens.
But if you or your child feels uncomfortable, it is completely fine to step back or politely say no.
Local Dad Tip: I would take the good intention for what it is, but your child’s comfort always comes first.
20. You Can Sometimes Negotiate at Traditional Markets
Traditional markets are different from department stores, convenience stores, and most regular shops in Korea.
If you are buying several items, souvenirs, clothes, or food products from the same seller, you can sometimes ask for a small discount.
This is more likely when you are paying cash or buying multiple items.
I would not argue aggressively over every price, and I would not expect bargaining everywhere.
But asking politely can sometimes work.
You may also get a small extra item instead of a direct discount.
Local Dad Tip: A friendly smile and a simple “Can you make it a little cheaper?” works better than treating the market like a negotiation battle.
What I’d Tell a Friend Before Visiting Korea
If this is your first trip, keep it simple.
Bring a card and a little cash. Book popular train routes early if your dates are fixed. Check kid, pet, and outside-food rules before making a special trip. Carry a small folding umbrella. Expect lines at famous places. And if you need help, ask.
You do not need to travel Korea perfectly.
The small everyday moments — finding a good neighborhood restaurant, getting unexpected help from a local, discovering a café, or changing your plan because your kids are tired — are often what make the trip memorable.
Plan the important things, stay flexible with the rest, and enjoy Korea at your own pace.
Leave a Reply