Create meetup in Seoulchevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
wants to drink something at fmd_goodTapped
want to meet at fmd_good Corner Diner
wants to eat something at fmd_goodCorner Diner
wants to eat something at fmd_goodCorner Diner
wants to eat something at fmd_goodCorner Diner
wants to drink something at fmd_goodHops Hall
explore Seoul Guides
bar_chart Trends in Seoul
Has the vibe changed here?
Visiting for the first time since 2018, this time with a wife and two kids. My time here has been rife with negative encounters and experiences. Nothing has been major, but there hasn't been a day that's passed without something rocking the boat a bit.
A few examples: - At a restaurant in Myeong-dong, there were napkins at one end of our table. My wife was sitting on the opposite end and just didn't see them. The table adjacent to ours had napkins that were literally right next to her. She grabbed a paper napkin from that table which no one was sat at. A staff member comes up to our table and slams the napkin holder on our table and scolds my wife not to take napkins from another table. He truly scolded her. I can't make this up. We were completely taken aback. I get Koreans can be particular about things, and sure, perhaps we had committed a faux pas, but to be scolded felt so disproportionate to the crime.
Again, at a restaurant, this time in Insadong. Walked into the restaurant with my son in his stroller. The ajosshi at the front desk ran to the door frantically signalling that we couldn't bring the stroller in. Ok, we were totally cool with that. Complied with the request, folded the stroller up and left it outside. From the limited Korean I still possess, I apologized to him. He had a scowl on his face and was just mean mugging us as we walked in. Again, perhaps I had committed a terrible faux pas and had insulted him somehow by trying to wheel a stroller in. I couldn't take the attitude, and decided to leave. I couldn't resist and again, in limited Korean asked "are you mad at us?" He didn't respond but just shooed us out the door when he realized we weren't going to be staying.
we have access to the Seoul Club here based on a reciprocal membership agreement they have with one I'm a member of in Hong Kong. We went through the initial paperwork and the club introduction cards, etc. We were cleared and given a temporary access card for the duration of our stay here. At every step of the way after that we were hassled and pestered. When using the playroom for the kids, on two separate occasions we were asked if we were allowed to be there. And then were asked to provide an access card. When producing the card, they still called the front desk - both times. Same thing when trying to access the pools. There was this sense they wanted us to leave.
There have been several other things of a similar magnitude that have occurred nearly daily.
I'm not saying at all Koreans in general are unkind, and like 99% of the time encounters are brief and neutral. But it's just felt like the frequency of coldness/unkindness has been beyond the margin of error. Like I'm sure when people visit Hong Kong they experience their share of annoyances too, but not sure it'd be this constant thing.
I can accept that maybe I'm being precious here or the Chinese male equivalent to a Karen. I guess it's only been jarring since the past 15 days have been unlike anything I had ever experienced in my four years living here full time and the short stint I was here in 2018.
Bad luck? Or maybe I'm giving off bad energy. Who knows. I've just been puzzled and had to get this off my chest I suppose.
Seoul on a Budget: Tips 2026
Stay in guesthouses or hostels in Hongdae or Myeongdong for as low as 20,000-40,000 won per night. For a private room, try a goshiwon (student housing) starting at 300,… 🏠 Affordable Accommodation
Stay in guesthouses or hostels in Hongdae or Myeongdong for as low as 20,000-40,000 won per night. For a private room, try a goshiwon (student housing) starting at 300,000 won per month. Book directly with the property or use local platforms like Yanolja for discounts.
🍜 Cheap Eats
A bowl of bibimbap or kimchi jjigae at a local restaurant costs 6,000-8,000 won. For budget meals, visit convenience stores like GS25 or CU for triangle kimbap (1,200 won) and instant ramen. Street food like tteokbokki (3,000 won) is filling and cheap.
🚇 Transportation Savings
Use a T-money card for subway and bus rides at 1,400 won per trip, with free transfers within 30 minutes. A day pass costs 5,500 won for unlimited rides. Walk between nearby attractions like Gyeongbokgung and Insadong to save even more.
🎫 Free Attractions
Many palaces, including Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, offer free admission on the last Wednesday of each month. Cheonggyecheon Stream and Namsan Park are always free to explore. Visit Bukchon Hanok Village for a glimpse of traditional Seoul without spending a won.
💰 Local Money-Saving Tips
Locals often use apps like Coupang Eats for discounted meal deliveries or visit traditional markets like Gwangjang Market for cheap, fresh food. Avoid tourist-heavy areas for souvenirs; instead, shop at Daiso for affordable Korean snacks and gifts.
🎭 Free Cultural Experiences
Watch a free traditional performance at the Korea House or at the Namsangol Hanok Village on weekends. Many museums, like the National Museum of Korea, have free permanent exhibitions. Check out Hongdae street performances for live music and dance.
🍺 Nightlife on a Budget
Join a free walking tour of Hongdae or Itaewon to discover cheap bars and pubs. Many places offer happy hour deals from 5-7 PM with 50% off drinks. For a unique experience, visit a pojangmacha (street tent bar) for soju and anju under 10,000 won.
📱 Essential Apps
Download Naver Map for accurate transit directions and KakaoTaxi for affordable rides. Use Mango Plate to find restaurant discounts and coupons. For free Wi-Fi, connect to the city's public network at subway stations and parks.
this is a solid list, one thing i'd add is that the t-money card also works for the airport railroad express (arex) and you can get a discount if you buy a "climate card" from the subway machines for like 62,000 won a month, unlimited rides on seoul metro and buses. also, for free stuff, the seoul city wall hiking trail from naksan park gives you amazing views of the city and bukchon without paying a thing, plus it's way less crowded than namsan. gwangjang market is great but go for the sundubu (7000 won) at the stalls in the back, not the front ones near the entrance which are pricier for tourists
honestly the guide nails it, one thing i'd add is that the t-money card deposit is refundable at any convenience store when you leave, most people forget and just toss it. also for free stuff, the seoul philharmonic does free outdoor concerts at seoul plaza in spring and fall, just show up with a blanket. if you're near hongdae on a friday night, the playground area has buskers that are genuinely talented, way better than the overhyped clubs
i live here and a few things this guide nails. one tip that saves me money is the "climate card" for 62,000 won a month, unlimited subway and bus, even works on the airport express if you're staying a while. for cheap eats, skip the main streets in hongdae and go into the alleys behind the art center, there's a place that does dwaeji gukbap (pork soup) for 7,000 won and it's way better than the tourist spots. also, the seoul city wall trail from naksan park is free and gives you killer views without the namsan tower price tag, way less crowded too