April 2026

If you are visiting South Korea for the first time, one awkward question comes up fast: do you need to tip in Korea?The simple answer is no. In most everyday situations, tipping is not expected in Korea. Official travel guides for Seoul and Korea both say tipping is not a Korean custom, and Korea’s tourism […]

If you are visiting Korea for the first time, eating at a local restaurant is much easier than it looks. A typical Korean meal often includes rice, soup or stew, and several small side dishes called banchan. In many places, tipping is not expected, and asking for more water or basic side dishes usually does

If you are visiting South Korea, paying for things is usually easier than many first-time travelers expect. In short, most travelers can use cards for daily spending in Korea, especially in major cities. However, you should still carry a small amount of cash for backup, small shops, traditional markets, or situations where your card does

If you are visiting South Korea for the first time, taxis are one of the easiest ways to get around. They are simple to find in busy areas, most rides use a meter, tipping is not expected, and you can usually pay by cash, credit card, or transportation card. For many travelers, that makes taxis

If you sit down at a restaurant in Korea and notice a small button on the table, do not panic. It is usually a call bell, and pressing it is completely normal. In many Korean restaurants, that button is the standard way to get staff attention instead of waiting for eye contact or waving someone