South Korea is one of those rare destinations that feels both thrillingly new and wonderfully easy once you know the rhythm. Ultra-modern cities sit alongside ancient palaces, convenience stores double as late-night cafés, and public transport runs with enviable precision. While it’s perfectly possible to visit South Korea as a tourist, travelling like a local unlocks a deeper, richer experience: one that’s less about ticking landmarks off a list and more about understanding how everyday life flows.
In your first few days, you’ll notice that small cultural cues make a big difference. Even something as simple as being able to read street signs or café menus helps you feel more confident, which is why many travellers choose to learn Korean alphabet basics before or during their trip. It’s not about fluency - it’s about familiarity, comfort, and connection.
Below are practical, on-the-ground tips to help you explore South Korea the way locals do, from navigating transport to eating well and blending in effortlessly.
You don’t need to speak Korean fluently to travel well, but learning a handful of phrases will dramatically improve your experience. Locals genuinely appreciate the effort, even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect. Start with simple, high-value expressions:
Understanding basic reading is particularly useful for navigating public transport, finding restrooms, and recognising food options. Korean grammar may be complex, but the writing system itself is logical and approachable - far more so than many visitors expect!
South Korea’s public transport system is world-class, affordable, and refreshingly easy to use. Locals rely heavily on buses and subways, even in smaller cities, and you should too.
Purchase a T-money card as soon as you arrive. You can buy one at airport convenience stores or subway stations, top it up easily, and use it across buses, trains, taxis, and even some shops. It saves money and removes the hassle of buying single tickets.
Below are practical, on-the-ground tips to help you explore South Korea the way locals do, from navigating transport to eating well and blending in effortlessly.
Learn Some Basic Korean Before You Go
You don’t need to speak Korean fluently to travel well, but learning a handful of phrases will dramatically improve your experience. Locals genuinely appreciate the effort, even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect. Start with simple, high-value expressions:
- Hello (안녕하세요 - annyeonghaseyo)
- Thank you (감사합니다 - gamsahamnida)
- Excuse me / sorry (죄송합니다 - joesonghamnida)
- How much is this? (얼마예요? - eolmayeyo?)
Understanding basic reading is particularly useful for navigating public transport, finding restrooms, and recognising food options. Korean grammar may be complex, but the writing system itself is logical and approachable - far more so than many visitors expect!
Master Public Transport Like a Seoul Commuter
South Korea’s public transport system is world-class, affordable, and refreshingly easy to use. Locals rely heavily on buses and subways, even in smaller cities, and you should too.
Purchase a T-money card as soon as you arrive. You can buy one at airport convenience stores or subway stations, top it up easily, and use it across buses, trains, taxis, and even some shops. It saves money and removes the hassle of buying single tickets.
Download Naver Maps or KakaoMap rather than relying solely on Google Maps, which can be unreliable in Korea. These apps provide more accurate routes, platform numbers, and walking directions — exactly what locals use.
Eating like a local in South Korea doesn’t have to involve animal products. While traditional Korean cuisine is often associated with meat and seafood, many everyday dishes are naturally plant-based or can be easily adapted when you know what to look for.
Eat Where Koreans Actually Eat
Eating like a local in South Korea doesn’t have to involve animal products. While traditional Korean cuisine is often associated with meat and seafood, many everyday dishes are naturally plant-based or can be easily adapted when you know what to look for.
Small neighbourhood eateries, market stalls, and casual lunch spots often serve simple meals centred around rice, vegetables, tofu, and noodles. Places that focus on just one or two dishes tend to prepare them fresh and without unnecessary extras, which makes it easier to identify vegan-friendly options. Look out for dishes such as:
Traditional markets like Gwangjang Market in Seoul or local street markets in smaller cities are excellent places to find vegetable pancakes, rice cakes, and freshly prepared snacks. Vegan cafés and plant-based restaurants are also increasingly common, particularly in areas popular with students and creatives.
Staff may not always label dishes as vegan, but polite questions and simple phrases go a long way, and locals are often happy to help when they understand your preferences.
To experience daily Korean life, consider staying outside the main tourist hubs. Areas like Seongsu, Mangwon, or Yeonnam-dong in Seoul offer a more residential feel, with independent cafés, neighbourhood bakeries, and local parks.
- Bibimbap without egg or meat (request “gogi eopseoyo”)
- Kimbap made with vegetables only
- Sundubu-style tofu stews made without seafood stock
- Japchae (sweet potato glass noodles) without meat
Traditional markets like Gwangjang Market in Seoul or local street markets in smaller cities are excellent places to find vegetable pancakes, rice cakes, and freshly prepared snacks. Vegan cafés and plant-based restaurants are also increasingly common, particularly in areas popular with students and creatives.
Staff may not always label dishes as vegan, but polite questions and simple phrases go a long way, and locals are often happy to help when they understand your preferences.
Stay in Local Neighbourhoods, Not Just Hotel Districts
To experience daily Korean life, consider staying outside the main tourist hubs. Areas like Seongsu, Mangwon, or Yeonnam-dong in Seoul offer a more residential feel, with independent cafés, neighbourhood bakeries, and local parks.
Guesthouses and serviced studios are popular with locals and long-term visitors alike. You’ll often find better value, more space, and a chance to interact with residents going about their normal routines — morning dog walks, late-night takeaway runs, and weekend markets.
Korean etiquette isn’t complicated, but being aware of a few key points helps you blend in smoothly:
Observing how others behave and mirroring that energy will carry you far. Koreans are generally forgiving to visitors who show awareness and respect.
Convenience stores in South Korea are a way of life. Locals rely on them for quick meals, snacks, toiletries, and everyday essentials. Many stores stock plant-based snacks, onigiri-style rice balls with vegetables, fresh fruit, and soy milk.
For household items, snacks, stationery, and travel essentials, Daiso is a local favourite. It’s affordable, well-organised, and ideal for picking up practical items you didn’t realise you needed.
While Seoul is captivating, locals often encourage visitors to explore further afield. Cities like Busan, Jeonju, Gyeongju, and Sokcho each offer distinct regional character, food traditions, and landscapes.
Understand Korean Etiquette (It’s Simpler Than You Think)
Korean etiquette isn’t complicated, but being aware of a few key points helps you blend in smoothly:
- Use two hands when giving or receiving items, especially money
- Speak quietly on public transport - phone calls are frowned upon!
- Remove your shoes when entering homes and some traditional restaurants
- Respect personal space and follow queues carefully
Observing how others behave and mirroring that energy will carry you far. Koreans are generally forgiving to visitors who show awareness and respect.
Shop Smart at Convenience Stores and Daiso
Convenience stores in South Korea are a way of life. Locals rely on them for quick meals, snacks, toiletries, and everyday essentials. Many stores stock plant-based snacks, onigiri-style rice balls with vegetables, fresh fruit, and soy milk.
For household items, snacks, stationery, and travel essentials, Daiso is a local favourite. It’s affordable, well-organised, and ideal for picking up practical items you didn’t realise you needed.
Travel Beyond Seoul When You Can
While Seoul is captivating, locals often encourage visitors to explore further afield. Cities like Busan, Jeonju, Gyeongju, and Sokcho each offer distinct regional character, food traditions, and landscapes.
High-speed KTX trains make intercity travel fast and comfortable. Booking tickets in advance is easy, and stations are well-signposted, even for non-Korean speakers.
Travelling like a local in South Korea isn’t about doing everything - it’s about settling into the pace. Take time to sit in cafés, wander without a strict plan, and notice the everyday details: students studying late into the night, hikers gathering at dawn, office workers sharing meals after work.
Embrace the Rhythm, Not the Rush!
Travelling like a local in South Korea isn’t about doing everything - it’s about settling into the pace. Take time to sit in cafés, wander without a strict plan, and notice the everyday details: students studying late into the night, hikers gathering at dawn, office workers sharing meals after work.
Once you stop trying to see it all and start living in the moment, South Korea opens up in ways guidebooks can’t always capture! (Photo credits: Ciaran O'Brien, Ji Seongkwang, Marke, Yoan and Thomas Roger Lux)
