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Korea Survival Guide (Practical Tips)
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Korea Survival Guide (Practical Tips)
Should I tip? What's the voltage? How to recycle? Solving 4 practical mysteries you'll face in Korea.
No tipping, 220V plugs, recycling rules, tap water.
SURVIVAL★☆☆🙅♂️ No Tip🔌 220V Plug♻️ Recycling
Please keep your tip
There is absolutely **NO tipping culture** in Korea.
Restaurants, taxis, hotels, hair salons - you don't need to tip anywhere.
If you leave money, they might run after you thinking you forgot it.
Some might even consider it rude.
Want to show appreciation?
Just say **"Gamsahamnida!"** (Thank you) with a big smile.
That is more than enough.
Did you bring a Pig Nose? (220V)
Korea uses **220V** with round 2-pin plugs.
We call it 'Pig Nose.'
If you come from 110V countries like Japan or the US,
you MUST bring a **'Travel Adapter.'**
Forgot it?
Don't worry. You can buy one at convenience stores, Daiso, or the airport.
Most hotel front desks also lend them for free, so just ask!
Throwing trash is complicated
One reason for few street bins is strict recycling.
If staying at an Airbnb:
- **General Trash**: Official bags (White/Yellow).
- **Food Waste**: Special bags or bins.
- **Recycle**: Plastic, Cans, Bottles separately.
At a hotel? No worries. Just leave it in the bin, staff will handle it.
Can I drink tap water?
Korea's tap water (Arisu) is safe to drink.
However, most locals drink filtered or bottled water.
In restaurants, drink from the provided water bottle.
At your accommodation, buy bottled water like **'Samdasoo'** from a store.
It's very cheap, under 1,000 won!