Korea basics: etiquette, convenience stores, and what surprises visitors

Shoes, trash, quiet subways, 24-hour convenience stores, and the small habits that make a trip smoother.

4 min read

Korea is easy to travel in — safe, punctual, and full of 24-hour everything. A few habits differ from what visitors expect.

In public

• Subways are quiet. Phone calls are kept short and low; eating is uncommon.
• Priority seats (pink or yellow) stay empty even in a packed car. Pregnancy seats are pink.
• Escalators: stand on the right in Seoul. Walking up is officially discouraged but common.
• Queue for the bus and the subway door markers.

Restaurants

• Water and side dishes (banchan) are free and refillable.
• Call staff with a button on the table or a clear "jeogiyo" (저기요). It is not rude.
• Many places are one-dish-per-person (especially BBQ: minimum two portions). Solo diners have more options at food courts and gimbap chains.
• Pay at the counter on your way out, not at the table.

Shoes and floors

Take shoes off when entering homes, some traditional restaurants with floor seating, temples and hanok stays.

Trash

Public bins are rare. Carry small trash back to your hotel or a convenience store bin. Recycling is strictly separated.

Convenience stores

CU, GS25, 7-Eleven and emart24 are everywhere, open 24 hours, and sell T-money, SIM top-ups, real meals, and hot water for instant noodles. There is usually a seating counter.

Useful words