Category: Culture
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Korean Etiquette for First-Time Visitors
Greetings, Age, and Everyday Manners Visiting Korea for the first time? A few everyday customs can help you feel more comfortable when meeting people, visiting someone’s home, or sharing a meal. You do not need to memorize a complicated set…
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What Is Kimchi? A Complete Guide to Korea’s Iconic Food
Kimchi is one of the most recognizable foods in Korea. It appears beside grilled meat, soups, noodles, rice dishes, and many everyday meals. For many Koreans, a meal can feel incomplete without it. International visitors often think of kimchi as…
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What Is Banchan? Are Side Dishes Free in Korea?
When you eat at a Korean restaurant, several small dishes may arrive at your table before or alongside your main meal. These dishes are called banchan (반찬), a central part of everyday Korean dining. For first-time visitors, banchan can be…
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Why Are Self-Service Stores So Popular in Korea?
Walk through a residential neighborhood in Korea late at night, and you may notice a brightly lit shop selling ice cream, snacks, ramyun, flowers, or even pet supplies—with no employee behind the counter. These businesses are called muin gage (무인…
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Do You Tip in Korea?
If you are traveling to South Korea from the United States, you may automatically reach for your wallet when paying at a restaurant, taking a taxi, or checking out of a hotel.