South Korea Local Customs

  I want to Roast more meats!
by machomikemd
 
  • I want to Roast more meats!
      I want to Roast more meats!
    by machomikemd
  • English kindergarten students in their uniforms
      English kindergarten students in their...
    by Arial_27
  • one of my fave students showing off her artwork
      one of my fave students showing off her...
    by Arial_27
  •   Local Customs
    by jckim
  •   Local Customs
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Most Viewed Local Customs in South Korea

51.

Eating & Drinking   Seoul

Eating & Drinking, Seoul

 75 Reviews  Hayeong is a newly-opened restaurant perched on top of a hill at the entrance of the Jungmun Resort Complex in Jeju. The restaurant serves high-quality, roasted black pork (for which the island is... 

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52.

Customs & Oddities   Seoul

Customs & Oddities, Seoul

 59 Reviews  Unusual Male Urinal in South Korea. this male urinal is unusually long but is not the most unusual urinal here, they also have flat urinals in the ground wherein you just aim and fire hehehe.... 

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53.

Other Stuff   Seoul

Other Stuff, Seoul

 17 Reviews  Being in the subway made me open my eyes. If you ever take the subway you will notice the following: (1) There are mirror (mostly) adjacent to the platforms. I wondered why until I saw two Korean... 

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54.

Gift-giving   Seoul

Gift-giving, Seoul

 8 Reviews  bought them as gifts to female friends. it cost about 5,000 won each if your buying 5 or more and 7,000 won if youre buying one. (no haggling means 7,000 won for 5 or more and 10,000 won for a single... 

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55.

Business/Money in Korea   Seoul

Business/Money in Korea, Seoul

 7 Reviews  Korean bills come in only 1000, 5000, and 10,000 Won notes. Coins come in 50, 100, and 500 won. Since the exchange rate is around 1150 Won to a dollar, you'll see that it takes a lot of paper to pay... 

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56.

Ceremonies & Holidays   Seoul

Ceremonies & Holidays, Seoul

 8 Reviews  Buddha's Birthday usually falls in late April or early May (in 2004 it was 26 May, and in 2005 it will be 15 May). At this time, the temples of Korea, especially Jogyesa Temple in Seoul, are decorated... 

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57.

Religion   Seoul

Religion, Seoul

 7 Reviews  Although Buddhism is still the dominant religion in South Korea, there is the emergence of Christians especially among the younger generation. As such, you will find more and more churches in Seoul... 

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58.

Historical Anecdotes   Seoul

Historical Anecdotes, Seoul

 3 Reviews  Here is a little story to tell when you are having lunch at the top of Namsan Tower (it revolves and little signs tell you what you are looking at in the distance). In Guui-Dong near the Children's... 

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59.

Relationships & Connections   Seoul

Relationships & Connections, Seoul

 4 Reviews  On Korean fashion: One must at all times wear socks, major rule: never enter a home without socks to maintain the sanitation as you'll always need to remove your shoes in a tiny cramped entryway.... 

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60.

Health & Well-Being   Seoul

Health & Well-Being, Seoul

 3 Reviews  Unlike most westerners, it seems that most Koreans do not seek a sun tan. Good for them! I'm sure they have low rates of skin cancer. The primary manifestation of this trait is that, on sunny days,... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Whistling in public

by dbredahl

Generally speaking, you won't find many Koreans whistling in public as this is construed as being rude, vulgar and of low class standing, having little to no formal education. Many Korean do know how to whistle and quite enjoy it in the privacy of their own three foot bubble when no one's really paying attention or in their homes working on a projects. Next time you happen to be in an open market, take a closer look at who's whistling and who's not. It'll usually be the scruffier looking dude working a blue collar job.

Suicides are Reported, Common in Korea

by jburron

I wasn't sure where to post this, it's not really a Warning/Danger and doesn't really affect foreigners/travellers, but you may come across it.Basically, Koreans are in a very stratified and rigid society with rules that dictate much of their lives and little leeway for failure in some cases. What's the honorable way out? Well, for some it's suicide. Those who fail in business, school SATs/entrance exams or have a scandal attached to them can fall victim to depression and thoughts of suicide. The difference, it seems, is Koreans get up and do it. I say get up because due to the lack of handguns in Korea many choose to jump from a bridge or building rather than blow their brains out.The most troubling thing (at least for us Westerners who are not used to it) is the news reports suicides. We don't do this in the West because it's thought that reporting it leads to more suicides as people...

Sometimes Vegetarian Means a Little Meat

by jburron

Basically, Koreans do not understand the term vegetarian(ism). I inquired about a small sign talking about bibimbap (that lovely "mixed rice" concoction that may be served four-alarm fire hot, if you like). It said "Vegetarian". I asked if it still had the requisite beef in the mixture. But of course! Huh?!I asked around, and it seems that vegetarian in Korea means just a little meat...or <50% meat. Given their penchant for slabs of beef (kalbi, bulggogi), pork (sam-gyup-sal) and chicken (dduk-kalbi) and even living octopus (san-nak-ji) I guess it makes sense. Even the seemingly veggie "kimchi chigae" (mostly tofu with hot sauce and brought to a rolling boil) has pork 'juice' in it (watch out if you're Muslim!).I had another incident where buds of mine (Hindus) were at a Korean joint to have some veggie food. I know the owner and specifically said it has to be vegetarian. What did we...

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Korean Wedding

by Edith49

I saw two wedding photo shoots while I was there and they were both very different. One was in very tradtional Korean wedding attire and the other was in Western wedding attire. My understanding is that there are two ceremonies, one is done Western style and one in traditional Korean style.

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Kimshi pots in the sun

by DSwede

Kimshi is a staple of Korean life. It comes in hundreds if not thousands of styles, but most commonly is pickled cabbage, infused with red pepper.In all my time here, I've only met one Korean who does not care for it, and nearly all foreigners love it too. You will find it on the tables during any meal. But what you might now know is that you will find it visible on any outing into the city and more commonly in the rural areas.Any time you see large pottery for sale, these are kimshi pots. If you see them on the roadside, on roof tops, or on the side of buildings, they are actually in the process of making the kimshi. Koreans mix all the ingredients and then let the sun slowly transform the recipe into kimshi.Keep your eyes open for the pots!

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Polite Drinking Practices

by DSwede

Just a brief note on some polite drinking practices if you are going out and drinking with the locals. If you are with businessmen or clients, it will do you a great service if you understand a few unwritten rules. They will honor you with more respect if you can play by their rules:- you should not drink freely from your glass until a group toast has been made.- It is important to keep an eye on other people's drinks. You should offer to pour them before they have to ask for it themselves.- It is not mandatory, but it is good form to not pour your own glass. Korean custom is common to actually pass the bottle to someone and have them pour your glass.- If you really wish to impress your local Korean counterparts, after you have been drinking for a while (and when you have finished your glass), offer your empty glass to someone. Then pour them a drink in 'your' glass. This gesture of...

Use two hands

by DSwede

• While meeting someone and shaking their hand, the way you show the respect for the older or more revered person is by placing your left hand across your stomach to your right side while shaking hands with your right. One step up in reverence would be to hold your right elbow with your left hand while shaking hands. Moving your left hand farther along your right arm to the point where you are almost shaking with two hands shows ever increasing homage or respect. The older person does not have to reciprocate the action (i.e. like military salutes in the army). This does not always apply to women, women are expected to show the gesture but do not always receive it in kind.• Similarly when giving or receiving something, you place your left hand accordingly. It could be a gift, or merely a filling of a glass.

Soju

by iwys

Korea is fuelled by soju. This is not only the favourite alcoholic beverage in the country, drinking it is almost the national pastime. It tastes like vodka, is 21degrees proof and is incredibly cheap. Small bottles, like the ones in the picture, are sold in big supermarkets for as little as w890, which is less than $1. In bars and restaurants the same bottles are sold for w3,000. Look through any restaurant window in Korea and you will see people, sitting on cushions on the floor, drinking soju.Soju can be distilled from different ingredients, but most of it nowadays is made from sweet potatoes. Koreans usually drink it neat, in one shot, but it can be mixed with fruit juices to make soju cocktails.Most major cities and regions have their own local brands of soju. My personal favourite is Hallasan soju from Jeju-do.

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Korean addresses

by iwys

Korean street numbers are very confusing. In most countries when you are looking for a house, you can follow the numbers on the buildings. They are arranged in a logical numbered sequence, right? Not in Korea. Next to House No. 1 could be house No. 88 or anything! House No. 2 will probably be half a mile away. Why? I wondered. Something to do with confusing the invading North Korean troops when they arrive, as somebody helpfully suggested? No. Apparently, they are numbered according to their age. So No. 1 will be the oldest house on the street. What happens if they tear it down and build a new one on the same spot, God only knows. Anyway, what it all means is that giving your address to a taxi driver is next-to-useless. You have to guide them every step of the way.

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Language

by izsak02

Korean is not an easy language to learn but the reading part of it is a kindergarten course. Learn how to read and you'll survive (http://www.learnkoreanlanguage.com/). Knowing how to count in Korean is also helpful. Mostly when asking for the price of something.This place is where "nice to meet you" and "where are you from" are widely spoken. English is not well used here but Koreans are trying really hard to learn it. Be patient and you'll somehow understand each other. If nothing else work, there's always body language... but don't use the finger.

Local traditions and culture in South Korea

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Local Customs: Cities in South Korea
  1. Seoul Local Customs
  2. Busan Local Customs
  3. Suwon Local Customs
  4. Kyongju Local Customs
  5. Sorak-sanmaek Local Customs
  6. Jeju (city) Local Customs
  7. Daegu Local Customs
  8. Okp'o-dong Local Customs
  9. Koje-do Local Customs
  10. Chonju Local Customs
  11. Ch'onan Local Customs
  12. Puyo Local Customs
  13. Taejon Local Customs
  14. Naejangsan-kungnip-kongwon Local Customs
  15. Ich'on Local Customs
  16. Wando Local Customs
  17. Ulchin Local Customs

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Popular Regions in South Korea

Soul-t'ukpyolsi Local Customs  Jeju-do Local Customs  Kyonggi-do Local Customs  Pusan-gwangyoksi Local Customs  Kangwon-do Local Customs  Kyongsang-namdo Local Customs  Kyongsang-bukto Local Customs  Cholla-namdo Local Customs  Cholla-bukto Local Customs  Ulsan-gwangyoksi Local Customs  Taegu-gwangyoksi Local Customs  Ch'ungch'ong-namdo Local Customs 

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Questions and Answers

Angrylilazngrl profile photo

Q:  Hi all, I am traveling to South Korea from 4/15-4/21 for a friend's wedding on 4/19 in Seoul. The majority of the wedding... 

dreamybd profile photo

A: Have a nice trip and fun. Be sure to visit the two tourist kiosks to get maps and guides. One is next to the express bus terminal while the other is beside the main train... 

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