Traditional rules of behavior in Korea. Escape from prison
They serve cakes shaped like toilets, don't throw away food, and protest when people take pictures of them. What other oddities and prohibitions are relevant in Korea?
South Korea, or the Land of Morning Freshness, like any country, has its own cultural characteristics- cute and not so cute. At the same time, many of the prohibitions of this country are similar to the rules and taboos of its neighbors (Japan and China) - for example, you cannot throw out garbage without sorting, sit on the doorstep, write down names in red, etc., but there are also differences. Let's talk about them.
Leaving chopsticks in food
It is not customary in Korean culture to pierce food with chopsticks like a fork. It may be more convenient to eat this way, but the cook (if you are in a restaurant) or the hosts (if you are visiting) may be perceived as an insult. The exception is if you need to pinch off a piece of a large dish.
Moreover, chopsticks should not be left upright on a plate, especially stuck in rice. Koreans associate this with death: at funerals and wakes, a mandatory attribute is smoking sticks stuck in the sand. Guests bring them and light them in front of the portrait of the deceased. As for rice, it is cultivated sacred meaning, like bread for Russians.
Calling someone with your palm up
If you see a familiar person, call out to him and want to call him with a gesture, then keep in mind that in South Korea You can only call someone with your palm facing down. With the palm up (as we are used to waving from afar when we see a friend - come here), Koreans call dogs and other animals.
Wear a deep neckline
A deep neckline is considered unacceptable for Koreans - it is too revealing and sexy. That's why korean girls They practically don’t wear T-shirts and tank tops, or they wear blouses or T-shirts under them according to the “Friday is Saturday” principle. Not long ago, the fashion for sundresses came to Korea different styles, under which Korean women still persistently wear T-shirts, shirts and even sweaters. At the same time, without any embarrassment, they wear revealingly short minis, so that they have to cover themselves up when going up the stairs or escalator with a magazine or handbag.
Be embarrassed when raising the “toilet” topic
There are clean, comfortable and free toilets at every turn in South Korea, there is a feces park and museum, and popular cafes that serve coffee in cute toilets and poop-shaped cakes. However, the topic of cooking does not end there. Moreover, the resort island of Jejudo is famous for its black pigs, which were previously fed with waste human life, and that is why their meat is considered very tender and tasty.
Pay attention when someone sneezes
It is not customary to wish health to someone who has sneezed. Usually they don’t react to this in any way, they just pretend that nothing happened, and the person who sneezed quietly apologizes.
Throwing away food
Koreans well remember the hungry times of the recent war between the North and South, as well as the Japanese annexation, so the attitude towards food, especially rice, is respectful, if not reverent. The dishes are very plentiful and often spicy; in addition, they usually bring additional snacks - panchani. A Korean who invites you to dinner will vigilantly ensure that you eat more (and preferably everything), otherwise he will be upset and maybe even offended. In corporate and student canteens, catering workers do not even hesitate to scold a visitor if he has not eaten enough. So don't miss it!
Look at the Korean for a long time
Koreans do not tolerate being looked at, viewing it as a violation of personal space, and they are constantly on edge: they work too much, rest too little. They can forgive some, in their opinion, unceremoniousness of a foreigner, but it is better not to wake him up. And don't try to take pictures of Koreans. IN best case scenario you will be asked to delete the photo, and in the worst case, you will pay a fine and spend some time in the police station, proving that you had nothing wrong in your mind. It is significant that the Koreans themselves, when taking photographs, erase the faces of people who accidentally ended up in the frame.
Get involved in quarrels
The older generation of Koreans at one time lived very hard. It was especially difficult for women. They were not allowed to study and were not given the opportunity to work, with preference given to men. They were oppressed own husbands, the husband’s family placed many household responsibilities on the daughter-in-law’s shoulders, without stinting on reproaches. Now that South Korea has achieved high economic results in a fairly short time and has become a comfortable country where the younger generation does not know worries, and women are on an equal footing with men, elderly aunties - ajums - feel deprived and can even be scandalous in society. For inappropriate appearance, laughter, excessive closeness on public transport, you may well get a reprimand, or even an umbrella in the back. Don't react in any way, just step aside.
And don’t get involved in a showdown at all, even if you are provoked. This can happen anywhere and at any time: they can pretend that you pushed, stepped on your foot, looked at you wrong, or they themselves push and step on your foot, looking at you defiantly, they can find fault that you are a foreigner and send you away back to their country, etc. All disputes in this country are usually resolved in favor of the local population. Fraudsters actively take advantage of this, starting conflicts on empty space, and then at the police station, playing the unfortunate victim and demanding monetary compensation.
Refusing your boss's offer of a drink
The boss is always right. This point in Korea is directly related to alcohol. They drink heartily here. People work a lot, selflessly, stress and fatigue accumulate, so they dump all the negativity in this way. And if your Korean employer invites you for a drink, you have to agree. One joy: the boss pays the bill himself. In Korea, it is believed that drinking alcohol together is in a good way establish business contacts in an informal setting. Therefore, weekly corporate events are the order of the day here. And during the week, Koreans can easily drink a glass or two of beer or knock back two or three bottles of soju (rice vodka about 15% strength) after work.
Smoking in public places
You should smoke in strictly designated areas or where you cannot disturb anyone with smoke. Otherwise, you are guaranteed sidelong glances, harsh comments, and even a fine of about $100. Places with large crowds of people are always equipped with smoking areas: it can be a gazebo, a glass room, or even just a rectangle drawn on the asphalt, within which you can enjoy nicotine. You can also quietly smoke in a small alley.
It is surprising that, despite the restrictions on smoking areas, tobacco products are sold openly in any size shop, stall, kiosk, or supermarket. Shops are quite common electronic cigarettes, which, however, are equal to ordinary ones.
It is mostly men who “smoke” in Korea; women practically do not smoke. Therefore, when they see a girl smoking, the first thought is that, most likely, she is a foreigner, although near nightclubs, bars, karaoke and similar places, the likelihood of seeing a cigarette in women’s hands increases.
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North Korea is a mythical country. In the sense that due to the lack of information about it, myths are created, many of which, however, have very real grounds.
We are in website decided to find out what things are unavailable or limited in the most closed country in the world, and many of them, I must admit, really surprised us.
1. You can't wear blue jeans
If you can afford jeans, then no one will stop you from wearing them. But denim can only be black, because blue jeans are not allowed here- it is believed that these pants, popular all over the world, personify the entire world of imperialism. However, tourists may well wear sky-colored jeans, but to visit the monument to Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, they will still have to change clothes.
2. There is no way to access the Internet and use Wi-Fi
IN North Korea There are computers and the Internet. More precisely, the intranet is internal computer network“Gwangmyeon”, in which, according to various estimates, from 1,000 to 5,500 sites are recorded. Naturally, there is no question of accessing websites of other countries unless you are a high-ranking official. By the way, local operating system“Red Star” in the latest version resembles MacOS X. They say this was done to please Kim Jong-un, who has a love for Apple products.
But Wi-Fi does not exist in North Korea. Yes and mobile devices Ordinary residents of the country do not have access even to Gwangmyeon. In addition, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules are removed from Chinese tablets adapted for the DPRK - simply as unnecessary.
3. Local currency is not available to foreigners
Tourists coming to North Korea are not allowed to use national currency- North Korean won. IN local stores, intended for foreigners, are calculated exclusively in euros, yuan, South Korean won and, oddly enough, dollars. But it is impossible to buy something in a store where Koreans themselves shop - moreover, foreigners are not even allowed to cross their threshold.
4. You can’t buy real estate in the DPRK
Apartments in North Korea are not sold (at least officially), they are distributed by the state. And it is almost impossible to move from the village to Pyongyang - only a select few are awarded such a privilege, and only for special merits. However, on the black market, which seems to have taken over all spheres of life in this country today, you can still buy an apartment for $70–90 thousand. But the official salary of an ordinary Korean, as refugees say, is no more than $4. Per month .
5. Buying a car is almost impossible
The owner of his own car is, by North Korean standards, a very rich or very influential person. The cost of a four-wheeled vehicle, which is still a luxury here, is an exorbitant amount for Koreans - according to this site, it is approximately $40 thousand. Even a bicycle is not accessible to everyone and is not found very often, especially if we're talking about not about Pyongyang. And so much so that each of them has its own number, like a car.
6. You can’t borrow a newspaper from the library that was published several years ago.
It is impossible to find a newspaper in the library that was published several years ago. The fact is that the course of the Workers' Party of Korea may undergo changes, what should you know? to the Korean people not at all necessary. For obvious reasons, it’s not even worth talking about foreign periodicals, especially glossy magazines. But you don’t need to buy daily newspapers - you can read them at special stands on the street or in the subway.
7. There is no opportunity to buy religious literature
North Korea is a 100% secular country. No, religion is not prohibited here, at least at the legislative level. Moreover, there are even Christian churches in Pyongyang, but these are a kind of Potemkin villages, which, among other things, are under the watchful supervision of the state.
On the other side, Christianity, for example, is considered a competitor to the Juche “religion”, and therefore, to put it mildly, is not welcome. There are also Buddhist temples in the country, but they are considered mainly as historical and cultural monuments.
8. You can’t call abroad using a local SIM card
Cell phones are no longer a rarity in North Korea. However, despite the presence mobile communications, an ordinary Korean will not be able to call another country or even a foreigner located in the DPRK. All local SIM cards are intended exclusively for calls within the country. You never know.
9. You won’t be able to take a hot shower at home.
There is no hot water supply in the houses and apartments of North Koreans - to wash themselves, they usually visit bathhouses, of which there are quite a few in the country. In addition, you won’t be able to warm your hands on a central heating radiator either - they simply don’t exist here. Wood-burning stoves are used for heating. Even in Pyongyang.
Some may argue that there is no central heating in other Asian countries. However, they use modern electric heaters, and in the DPRK, as is known, electricity is supplied intermittently even in the capital.
10. You can’t buy Coca-Cola in stores.
Until 2015, there were only 2 countries in the world where there was an official ban on the sale of this popular soda: Cuba and North Korea. After the drink was allowed to be sold on Liberty Island, the northern part of the Korean Peninsula has become the only place in the world where it is not on store shelves solely for ideological reasons.
11. It is impossible to travel to another country.
Residents of North Korea cannot buy a plane ticket and go on vacation to another country. And not only because it expensive pleasure, but also because it is simply prohibited.
However, a ban is also imposed on free movement within the country - to visit relatives in another village or city, you need to obtain permission. Sometimes Koreans, however, go abroad - to China or Russia, but only to earn money.
12. There is no McDonald's in North Korea
There are no traditional restaurants in North Korea fast food- for obvious reasons. However, in Lately on the streets of Pyongyang you can find street food stalls selling traditional Korean food, including the world-famous kimchi. They say it is very tasty and incredibly spicy.
It's hard to believe, but many North Koreans don't even know about the existence of condoms. Several decades ago they appeared on the black market, but for this reason they were not popular, and now it is almost impossible to buy them within the country due to lack of demand.
In addition, such an intimate thing as ordinary tampons, which can be bought all over the world without any problems, cannot be found in Korean stores - at least those intended for local residents. No matter how surprising it may sound in our time, women here are forced to use ordinary fabric - and it is not even disposable.
15. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to get a creative haircut in the DPRK.
This is not entirely untrue, but still an exaggeration. Yes, local hair salons have pictures of women's and men's haircuts, however, they are still advisory in nature. On the other hand, fashion is largely determined by the leader of the country, so many men wear exactly the same haircut as Kim Jong-un. Among women, the chin-length bob became a “hit,” thanks to the same Kim Jong-un, who said that such a haircut suits Korean ladies very well.
Bonus: Radio North Korea
In North Korea there are several television and radio channels broadcasting programs, films, theatrical performances and much more. True, all of them are politicized to one degree or another, connected with the situation in the country and abroad, and glorify all three Kims. You can verify this by listening Russian-language radio “Voice of Korea”- directly from this link.
South Korea is unusual country, whose culture is very different from what you are used to. Therefore, you may be interested to read about the prohibitions that exist in this country, and they will definitely surprise many people.
Don't play with chopsticks
In Korean culture there is a large number of taboos associated with chopsticks. For example, if you pierce your food with chopsticks (like a fork), the hospitable host or cook will consider this a personal insult. Sticks held upright or standing upright in food are associated here with death, as incense sticks stuck in the sand are a must at funerals.
Don't show your tattoos
In South Korea (and other Asian countries) there is special treatment to tattoos. The work of tattoo artists here is illegal, and only medical workers have the right to “draw on the body.” If you have tattoos, you may be treated unfriendly in public, and you may not even be hired because of it.
Don't wear low-cut clothes
A plunging neckline is considered too revealing and sexy among Koreans. Girls almost never wear such T-shirts and dresses without wearing something underneath. However, in the case of miniskirts, the opposite situation exists. Girls often wear miniskirts and cover themselves with bags or newspapers when going up stairs or on escalators.
Don't leave a tip in a cafe
If you tip a waiter in South Korea, it will be taken as an insult. The waiters here are paid very high salaries and if you leave a tip you will be insulting them. However, if you go to a European or American bar where the owner is not Korean, the situation will be the opposite: all tips will be gladly accepted.
Don't leave food on your plate
Koreans have a special relationship with food. The memory of the war between the North and the South, as well as the Japanese annexation, is still fresh. Here the portions are large, varied and usually seasoned. When you go to someone's home, you should never refuse a refill, and you should never leave food on the plate. In restaurants and cafes, you can also be reprimanded for leaving food on your plate.
Don't stare at the locals
Koreans perceive this as an invasion of personal space. Also, do not try to photograph local residents without asking their permission. We're not even talking about personal inconvenience here - you could pay a fine and spend time at the nearest police station trying to prove that you took the photo without bad intentions.
Do not enter into conflicts, especially with representatives of the older generation
In Korea, the age hierarchy is very strong. Young people should follow the instructions of their elders in everything and not be rude to them. Old aunts are known for their scandalous nature, but in no situation should they be contradicted, even if they are wrong and started the conflict themselves. In general, all conflicts in South Korea are resolved in favor of local residents. And this fact is actively used by local scammers.
Don't be surprised by the toilet theme
There is no taboo regarding the toilet in South Korea. People freely discuss their waste products. For example, a girl can calmly tell her boyfriend that she has diarrhea. In addition, such discussions can even occur during lunch. Moreover, your friends will often ask if your stool is okay. There is also a good network of clean and free public toilets. And in Seoul, a park was even built dedicated to toilet culture. As they say here, natural things cannot be terrible.
Don't touch people lying on the street
In Korea, there is a special attitude towards alcohol. Koreans work very hard and drink a lot. This doesn't happen every day, they usually go drinking at the end of the work week. They usually drink with their colleagues, and it would be inappropriate to refuse your boss's invitation (remember the point about hierarchy). In small companies, such trips with the boss can be a way to get a promotion, a lucrative project, or a salary increase. After such events, well-dressed and drunk men and women lie on the streets and in the subway, even in Seoul. There is no need to touch them, try to wake them up or take them home. Don't worry, no one will rob them, and the police will make sure they get home safely.
Don't smoke wherever you want
You can smoke in Korea, but not everywhere. There are special smoking areas where this process will not harm anyone. This could be a special room or even a rectangle on the asphalt, on which it is written that smoking is allowed here. There are many smoking areas in Korea, especially in public places. And remember that if you decide to smoke in the wrong place, you will face a fine.
Each country has its own values, characteristics, and customs. So when you go on a trip, be sure to check it out. Then you can avoid uncomfortable situations, sidelong glances and pointing fingers.
Let's talk about what not to do in Korea. TOP – 5 “NO”:
Deep neckline
In South Korea, it is not customary to wear a blouse with a low neckline, bare shoulders, back. The neckline is considered vulgar, even if it does not reach the navel. The girl who put on this “disgrace” will be looked at askance, some moral advocates will point their fingers and say that it is indecent. In general, you are guaranteed unwanted attention.
At the same time, if a neckline is “terribly bad,” then a belted skirt and mini-shorts are sexy. It is believed that “flaps of fabric” make the legs visually longer, and this is very attractive. But even here, not without a reservation, Korean women wear textile shorts under the maximum mini. So that no one can see their underwear.
Informal vocabulary
This point mainly concerns people learning Korean. In Korea, elders are revered and respected. Age means a lot in this country. That's why local residents They carefully monitor how they behave and what they say.
Even if the person is only a year older than you, you should address him in a respectful manner.
A foreigner can be forgiven for many things (ignorance of grammar, words), but not 반말 (“panmal” is an impolite, informal address). You can switch to “you” after an older friend has suggested it to you.
Disabled spaces
In Russia, there are few places where you can see that places for disabled people are occupied only by people with disabilities. In South Korea they are strict about this. Even during rush hour, no one will sit in the seats reserved for the elderly, pregnant women and the disabled.
“Special” seats are labeled and highlighted with colors. If you just sit on them, they will look at you with silent reproach, and someone will say that you are poorly brought up.
Avoid drinking
Any party in Korea is multi-stage. Koreans go from establishment to establishment and drink everywhere. You cannot refuse to drink with your colleagues or classmates - this is a manifestation of unfriendliness. If your boss pours you a drink, you must drink it all to the bottom.
Getting completely drunk, partying until dawn, and then a shower, hangover soup and going to work is normal for South Korea.
Bare feet
Koreans often go barefoot. In a restaurant, in a swimming pool, in a store fitting room, at home. Shoes are left at the entrance, then there is usually a wooden floor or just a small step. Walk barefoot - long tradition This is due to the fact that in Korea they use a “floor heating” system.
So wear socks. Bare feet are considered the height of indecency. On the street there are very often people who wear socks even with sandals and this is not considered fashion terrorism.
Bonus
P.S. For the male part of the tourist population. Koreans almost never grow beards, well, unless they are very rare, so beards there are terrible. If you wear a beard, don't be surprised when people recoil from you on the street. It is impossible to get a tattoo legally in Korea. Prohibited by law. But there are plenty of underground establishments. People with “sleeves” are perceived as a freak, a mafioso. In Seoul this is easier, however, if you go towards Busan, you will catch a lot of sideways glances.
When we vacation abroad, people look at us and form an image about the country and its people. This is how stereotypes are born. With our ignorance we can make a not very pleasant impression.
BABR wrote earlier.
The advantages of South Korea - healing mineral springs and clean sandy beaches, magnificent monuments of ancient dynasties and excellent ski resorts. Modern Seoul, colorful Incheon and the resort islands of Jeju - all about South Korea: visa, map, tours, photos.
- Last minute tours to South Korea
- Tours for May Worldwide
The country of morning freshness has long and firmly entered the top five popular places recreation among our residents Far East. Every week, charters filled with Russian tourists rush from the Primorsky Territory to the first-class beach and ski resorts of South Korea with periodic visits to Seoul. The rest of Russia exhales enviously, because for them this is the same expensive exotic as Japan, Australia or the Philippines. However, when choosing a vacation from such countries, you should think 10 times about Korea.
A skyscraper tinted with 24-karat gold, a two-headed turtle, drunken bullfights, 50 varieties of tangerines, old women pearl divers, toilets with remote controls, ubiquitous Wi-Fi and sauerkraut... No, this is not a crazy person’s wish list, but everyday reality this small but amazingly picturesque and diverse country. But don’t be afraid: the 22nd century that has come for them does not mean at all that there will be nothing to do in South Korea for tourists accustomed to more conservative entertainment. The luxurious beaches of Jeju Island, well-equipped slopes of the South Korean Alps, ancient monasteries and pagodas await them.
Regions and resorts of South Korea
The song Gangnam Style is dedicated to Gangnam, the video for which was included in the Guinness Book of Records for an unprecedented number of views and likes on YouTube.
Insadong Street is famous for its antique and handicraft shops, where you can buy anything from ceramic dishes to antique watch. Open in Hongdae art galleries, vintage shops and trendy nightclubs, Itaewon is a foodie paradise with a string of colorful restaurants. Apgujeong is home to expensive boutiques and department stores, and bustling Myeongdong Street is home to Korea's first Catholic cathedral.
The second largest after the capital is Busan with magnificent beaches. They are sandy, well-groomed and very picturesque, the most popular is Haeundae with classic resort entertainment and a large aquarium. For an excursion, it is better to go to the Geumjeong-gu area, where the impressive temple complex Pomosa, for shopping - to central Busanjingu, and for wellness - to Dongnegu with its famous spas.
Time difference from Moscow
6 hours
- with Kaliningrad
- with Samara
- with Yekaterinburg
- with Omsk
- with Krasnoyarsk
- with Irkutsk
- with Yakutsk
- with Vladivostok
- from Severo-Kurilsk
- with Kamchatka
Climate of South Korea
Most of the country is located in a temperate climate zone, where the seasons are clearly felt. Spring and autumn are quite short and warm, most of all sunny days falls between March and May. Summers are hot and humid, temperatures can reach up to +35 °C. The monsoon season ("chanma") usually begins in late June and continues until mid-to-late July. August is hot and humid. Autumn in late September brings continental winds and clear, dry weather, making it the most pleasant time of the year. Winters are cold (up to −10 °C) and dry, with periodic precipitation in the form of snow or rain. Best time to visit the country - the period from late April to October. The ski season in Korea opens at the end of November and lasts until April.
Visa and customs
Russian citizens do not require a visa to enter South Korea for up to 60 days. But it’s still worth taking out a health insurance policy for the entire duration of the trip in advance.
The import and export of national and foreign currency is not limited; cash over 10,000 USD must be declared. Amounts allowed for export do not exceed those specified in the declaration, which must be kept before leaving the country. The limit on the import and export of local currency is 8,000,000 KRW. Upon departure, unspent funds can be exchanged for dollars, but only if you have a receipt from a local bank confirming the previous exchange for won. If there is none, a maximum of 100 USD will be exchanged at the border. Prices on the page are as of November 2018.
Must also be declared jewelry, expensive watches, photographic equipment, fur, firearms, knives and expensive foreign-made items. Persons over 19 years of age are allowed to import duty-free one liter bottle of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco, 60 ml of perfume, gifts worth up to 400 USD.
Coins, seeds, fresh fruit, walnuts, soil, potted plants, as well as pornography, political materials and any printed, audio or video products from communist countries are prohibited from being imported.
Pets require an international veterinary certificate issued no earlier than 30 days before entering South Korea and a certificate of vaccination against rabies.
Removal of antiques, precious metals And archaeological finds prohibited without special permission.
Tax free
In South Korea, there is a Tax-free system: for purchases over 30,000 KRW, 10% VAT is returned. If the store is marked with the Global Blue logo, just ask for a special form at the checkout, enter your personal data and stamp it at customs upon departure, presenting the purchased goods in undamaged packaging.
Tax-free return counters are located at the capital's Incheon and Gimpo airports, as well as at Daegu Airport. If the tax amount does not exceed 3,000,000 KRW (in Gimpo - 177,000 KRW), cash will be issued directly at the counter. Otherwise, you will have to send stamped Tax-free receipts to the Global Blue office by mail and wait for the funds to be credited to your bank card.
How to get to South Korea
Shopping
Traditional souvenirs: embroidery, porcelain, textiles and macrame, jewelry, paintings, masks, wood and shell products, dolls in traditional costumes, fans. The country sells very beautiful lacquerware inlaid with mother-of-pearl (boxes, snuff boxes, etc.). Korea is the only country in the world where women have been engaged in pulling shells and other valuable things from the bottom of the sea into the light of day for centuries. “Hene”, or “women of the sea” are stocky and broad-shouldered mules, who sink to the bottom of the sea every day in any weather without any scuba gear. As you might guess, absolute matriarchy reigns in the families of these ladies: fragile Korean men have no chance of withstanding the psychological pressure from their powerful swimmer lovers.
Korea is the only country in the world where women have been engaged in pulling shells and other valuable things from the bottom of the sea for centuries.
Korean ceramics are a very elegant gift. When purchasing one, you should consider color, sound (we made no typos) and workmanship. If the ceramics is transparent, smooth surface and clear sound, it is considered high quality. We should not forget about ginseng. It can be purchased at different types: tea, tinctures and extracts, dried, cured in honey, ginseng in syrup, in alcohol, there is even ginseng chocolate and lollipops.
Another worthy souvenir from Korea - traditional costume"hanbok". It can be purchased at Dongdaemun, Gwangjang, Namdaemun and Insadong markets. These markets are good for their reasonable prices, and at Insadong, in addition, you can choose the most fashionable hanbok designs.
It is worth paying attention to Korean antiques: interior items, calligraphy, ceramics, books, etc. Largest accumulation valuable goods are observed at the Changangpyong Market in Seoul. But you should remember that it is prohibited to export items older than 50 years from the country.
Large department stores are open from 10:30 to 20:00, small shops open earlier and close later on any day of the week. In Seoul and others major cities Korea has the widest shopping opportunities: there are many arcades, department stores, duty-free stores, specialized shopping areas, and finally markets (where most purchases are made).
South Korea
Cuisine and restaurants of South Korea
In Korea there are 4 presented at once national cuisines: actually Korean, Chinese, Japanese and European. In all populated areas countries - many restaurants, canteens and snack bars of various profiles. Japanese restaurants are the most expensive and prestigious. Chinese dishes are simpler; dishes there are divided into two categories: “sixa” and “yeri”. “Siksa” are relatively cheap (3000-6000 KRW) and easy to prepare, “yeri” are noticeably more expensive (10,000-40,000 KRW), complex in composition, prepared only in large portions - enough for at least two.
European restaurant in Korea is the place to go a man is walking of average income when he wants to eat something unusual. The menu in most of these eateries is not very diverse: the main and often the only dish is “tonkas”, a type of schnitzel baked in a thin layer of dough.
In Korea, they eat a lot of rice: they make chhalteok bread, pabi porridge, spicy pilaf with vegetables “bibimbap”, kimbap rolls and other delicacies from it. The side dish most often served with them is “kimchi” - all kinds of pickled, salted and pickled, hotly seasoned vegetables. The most popular soups are soy “sundubu-jige” with shellfish and egg, spicy “hemultkhan” with seafood, rich “kalbitkhan” with beef ribs and hot soup “maeungtang”.
The main extreme of Korean cuisine is posinthan dog meat soup. True, now it is prepared extremely rarely - the indignation of the West has yielded results.
Meat treats include marinated bulgogi beef in sesame oil and soy sauce, grilled kalbi beef ribs, takkalbi chicken stew and mandu dumplings. Seafood dishes are also held in high esteem: raw fish “hwe”, fried “sangseong gui”, stew “hyemul jongol”, flatbread “pajeon”, squid “ogino bokgeum” and octopus “nakji”.
Fruits are usually served for dessert, and instead of tea they drink a variety of decoctions and tinctures. Among the high-grade drinks, the most popular are rice wine “makkori” and rice liquor “Soju”.
The cheapest food is sold on the streets: flatbreads for 500-1000 KRW, dumplings for 2000-3000 KRW, octopus buns for 2000 KRW, shrimp in batter for 4000 KRW - tasty, satisfying and safe. Simple cafes are also inexpensive for locals: 5,000-10,000 KRW for lunch for two. A burger in Western fast food will cost 9,000 KRW, coffee in a coffee shop - 4,000-5,000 KRW. Dinner with alcohol in a good restaurant - 30,000-50,000 KRW per person.
Korean restaurants are the most universal and democratic: both in terms of prices and in terms of the audience. The man and designer Artemy Lebedev advises doubting tourists: if you want to dine in a guaranteed good restaurant, look for an official sign with a white flower on the facade of the establishment, where it says: Good Restaurant.
Guides in South Korea
Entertainment and attractions
Multifaceted South Korea is an incredible mix of ancient sights and modern monuments. It’s better to start getting acquainted with them in Seoul - the impressions will definitely last for a long time.
The most spectacular architectural structures are the royal residences in the traditional Korean style, united in the “Five Great Palaces” group. The largest is Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395, almost immediately after the Joseon Dynasty ascended the throne. exactly preserved its original appearance despite all wars and disasters. Jongmyo 14th century, dedicated to memory kings of the Joseon Dynasty.
Another iconic location is the Demilitarized Zone, a sad monument to the division of the peninsula. Its most obvious symbol is a sculptural group depicting two families, personifying the South and the North and trying to connect the halves of a large ball. The main points of the excursion are Unification Park, an underground tunnel and an empty border station.
Thermal springs and water parks of South Korea
Koreans care about their own health and like to combine business with pleasure. Proof of this is the unique water parks, where there are baths at healing thermal springs, and all kinds of attractions. For example, Sorak Waterpia (office site in English) at the foot of the Seoraksan Mountains is famous for its 49-degree water with alkaline components and negative ions, useful for arthritis, geriatric and neuralgic diseases. And after soaking in the hot tubs, you can have fun on steep slides, seething waterfalls, playgrounds and in wave pools.
The pride of the Danyang Aquaworld water park (office site in English) is the outdoor baths with magnificent views of the mountains. There is a separate swimming pool for children, special spas and saunas for couples, and baths with mineralized water, hydromassage and other procedures for those who want to improve their health.
The Asan Spavis water park (Chungcheongnam-do province) offers relaxation in saunas with yellow clay and aroma baths with jasmine.
The famous “SpaPlus” (office site in English) has been opened in Incheon, where traditional Korean saunas (amethyst, jade, oxygen, clay, coal) and unusual pools (herbal, fruit, pine and even wine) are equipped. In the park "Bugok" Hawaiian island"(Gyeongsangnam-do province) relax in caves, and in "Greenland" (Gwangju) - in baths with fish healers.
Holidays and Events
Holidays in South Korea are celebrated noisily and brightly. On the 8th day of the 4th month lunar calendar Happy Birthday to Buddha: they hang paper lanterns symbolizing enlightenment, decorate houses with flowers, and organize theatrical processions. And they always water the Buddha figurines with sweet flower tea, which washes away all the bad things that have happened over the year.
Seollal, Korean New Year at the end of January - mid-February, until it became an official holiday, but is celebrated with love and respect for traditions. Families get together and perform the “sebe” ceremony: young people in national costumes they bow to their elder relatives as a sign of honor, and they, in turn, reward their descendants with money.
Traditional New Year's dishes are tteok glutinous rice cakes and tteokguk soup with these dumplings.
On August 1, the Busan Sea Festival starts: a week of general fun on the city beaches. Concerts, exhibitions, sports competitions, master classes, free lessons rowing, snorkeling and kayaking - interesting activities there is something for everyone. On April 5, trees are planted, on October 3, the birth of the state is remembered, and on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar (usually in September-October) celebrations are held in royal palaces Seoul in honor of the Chuseok harvest festival.
