The Dari blog
Practical, dated guides for foreigners in Korea: arriving, getting around, eating, paperwork.
Arriving
- Arriving at Incheon: immigration, e-Arrival Card and getting to Seoul (2026)Up to 80 minutes in the immigration queue in 2026: what to fill in before your flight, how to save time and how to reach Seoul.26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French
- eSIM or SIM card in Korea: which one to choose, and when you need a real Korean numberAn eSIM is enough for most short trips. A Korean 010 number helps with some queues and bookings. What to know before you choose.26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French
- Common scams in Korea: taxis, fake sites, cult recruiters, and how to reactKorea is safe, but a few traps target visitors: overcharging taxis, fake K-ETA sites, street recruiters. How to spot them and what to do.26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French
- Korean apps without a Korean phone number: which ones work with a passport (2026 table)Taxi, subway, maps, food delivery, payments: which Korean apps work with a passport or a foreign number, and which need a Korean number.26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French
Getting around
- T-money, WOWPASS and bank cards: paying for the subway in Korea, what changed in 2026Since March 2026, Seoul subway machines accept foreign cards and the T-money app works with Apple Pay. Which card to get and how to top it up.26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French
- Kakao T, K.ride, TABA or Uber: which taxi app should a foreigner use in Korea?With a foreign phone number and card, K.ride, TABA and Uber work without any Korean sign-up. Kakao T is still possible if you pay the driver. The 2026 comparison.26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French
- Taxis in Korea: the real price, overcharging and what to do if you are scammed60% of tourist complaints about taxis are about the fare. What a ride from Incheon really costs, the signs of a scam and how to report it.26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French
- KTX tickets: booking two months ahead (new since October 2026) and avoiding sold-out trainsSince 1 October 2026, train tickets can be booked 60 days before departure. Where foreigners can buy, which cards work, and the 2027 Lunar New Year.26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French
Food and drink
- Halal food in Seoul: certified restaurants, guarantee levels and prayer roomsSeoul has few certified halal restaurants, but a real neighbourhood around the Itaewon mosque. Understand the tourism board's 4 levels and where to pray.26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French
- What to eat in Korea the first time: 8 safe dishes, their average price and how to orderBibimbap, kimchi-jjigae, samgyeopsal, gimbap… 8 easy dishes to start with, the official 2026 average prices and the traps (dishes for two, spiciness).26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French
- Food allergies in Korea: the card to show at restaurants, in KoreanPeanuts, seafood, wheat… The Korean names of allergens, phrases to show at restaurants and what the law does (or does not) require from restaurants.26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French
- Food delivery in Korea as a tourist: Baemin, Coupang Eats, what works in 2026Since June 2026, Baemin speaks several languages and accepts Apple Pay with a foreign card. Coupang Eats and Yogiyo remain tricky. App by app.26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French
Living in Korea
- Opening a bank account in Korea as a foreigner (2026): documents, banks and the limited accountWith or without a residence card: documents to bring, the easiest banks and how to lift the "한도제한계좌" limit (₩1 million a day online).26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French
- Pharmacies in Korea: treating a cold or fever, late-night pharmacies and what to buyCommon medicines are easy to buy at pharmacies. Seoul pharmacies open until 1 am, what visitors look for and phrases to make yourself understood.26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French
- 본인인증 keeps failing: the 7 causes and how to fix them (foreigners in Korea)Misspelt name, a line in your employer's name, a prepaid plan, a residence card that is too new… The common reasons Korean identity verification fails and their fixes.26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French
Visas and paperwork
Going out
- Soju, bars and drinking culture in Korea: the rules to know before you say cheersPouring for others, turning your head in front of elders, the age-19 rule, 1cha-2cha rounds… Korean table manners and bar types, without faux pas.26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French
- Hongdae, Itaewon or Seongsu: which Seoul neighbourhood for going out or staying?Hongdae for music and youth, Itaewon for an international crowd and world food, Seongsu for cafés and pop-up stores. A portrait of each neighbourhood.26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French
- Korea in winter: temperatures, what to wear, short days and the 2027 Lunar New YearIn Seoul, winter hovers around -3°C at night and 4°C by day, with little snow. How to dress and what changes during the Lunar New Year (6 to 9 February 2027).26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French
Money and tips
- Bank card declined in Korea: 9 solutions that work in 2026Kiosk, app, booking site: is your foreign card refused? The fixes checked in 2026, from the subway to taxis, food delivery and cash.26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French
- Booking on Naver Map with your passport: the 2026 change for foreignersSince June 2026, Naver verifies foreigners' identity with a passport, without a Korean number. What it unlocks, its limits and what to do if a business refuses foreigners.26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French
- Cosmetic clinics in Seoul in 2026: VAT refund over, the "foreigner price" and questions to askSince 1 January 2026, foreigners no longer get a VAT refund on cosmetic procedures. How to compare prices, avoid the "foreigner price" and book.26 October 2026 · Machine translation from French