Deep dives into local customs and heritage.
View All Tags
If Seoul is the modern face of Korea, Gyeongju is its ancient soul. For 1,000 years (57 BC – 935 AD), this was the capital of the Silla Kingdom. Today, it is known as "the museum without walls." You can't dig the ground here without finding an artifact.
But Gyeongju isn't just old ruins. It has become one of the trendiest destinations for young Koreans, thanks to the cafe culture of Hwangnidan-gil.
Korea is one of the most welcoming countries for tourists. Locals are patient with foreigners, and you won't get arrested for a cultural faux pas.
But you will get side-eye if you stick your chopsticks upright in your rice. Or if you pour your own drink while an elder's glass is empty. Or if you sit in the priority seat on the subway while a grandmother stands.
Korean culture is built on Confucian values of respect, hierarchy, and harmony. Understanding a few key rules will make your trip smoother and earn you genuine smiles instead of polite tolerance.
Here's your no-nonsense guide to Korean etiquette.
When people think of Korean food, they think of BBQ. And yes, grilling pork belly at your table while sipping soju is a religious experience.
But Korean food is so much more than meat on a grill. It's crispy mung bean pancakes sizzling on a griddle at 11 PM. It's bite-sized gimbap so good they call it "drug food." It's fried chicken so perfectly crunchy that an entire culture formed around pairing it with beer.
I've eaten my way through Seoul's markets, street tents, and hidden alleys. This is your no-nonsense guide to the dishes and places that will make you want to move to Korea just for the food.
