10 Things That Surprise First-Time Visitors to Korea: From Cafés to Nightlife

1. Can you really leave your laptop and phone on a café table and walk away?
Many visitors are stunned to see people “save” their seat with a laptop, wallet, or phone and then go to the restroom. Back home, they say, those things would be gone in seconds.

2. Why is delivery so fast, and how does it reach everywhere?
Food gets delivered to a picnic mat in Hangang Park, to the beach, even to the start of a hiking trail. Dawn delivery and meals that show up within 30 minutes leave many visitors asking, “How is this even possible?”

3. Press the call button at a restaurant and a server comes right away?
One press of a button and a server is at your table. For visitors used to raising a hand and waiting to catch someone’s eye, it feels like a whole new world. Many are just as surprised that there’s no tipping.

4. Side dishes are free, and you can get refills?
Banchan like kimchi, seasoned vegetables, and rolled omelet come out without being ordered, and you get more if you ask. “Do I have to pay for this too?” is a common question.

5. Public restrooms are clean and free?
Subway station restrooms are free, clean, and even stocked with toilet paper. This surprises people used to paying for restrooms, as in much of Europe. Many even have bidets.

6. Do the streets really feel safe and lively late at night?
At 2 or 3 a.m., you’ll still see people walking alone, restaurants and convenience stores open, and 24-hour jjimjilbang (Korean spas). A common reaction: “The night seems busier than the day.”

7. Is public transportation really that convenient?
It’s clean, on time, has Wi-Fi, and even gives you transfer discounts. Visitors love the platform screen doors, the announcements in every car, and real-time arrival info. Many are also surprised by how quiet people keep on the subway.

8. Why do convenience stores feel so next-level?
There are triangle kimbap, lunch boxes, instant ramen cooking machines, and the culture of having a beer under the parasols outside, known as “pyeon-maek.” Visitors are surprised that a convenience store is more than a shop. It’s a cultural space.

9. Why does everyone seem so stylish?
From office workers on their commute to students and older people, visitors notice how much care goes into outfits and skincare. A separate section just for men’s cosmetics is another surprise.

10. Can you really feel the “ppalli-ppalli” (hurry-hurry) culture and ultra-fast internet?
People tap the elevator “close” button over and over, food comes out quickly, and government paperwork gets done the same day. Visitors are also amazed by fast Wi-Fi and 5G everywhere, and by a nearly cashless society where almost everything is paid by card or phone.