KOREA FOUNDATION

A pleasant culture shock for foreign visitors to and residents of Korea is the plethora of free services. People can recharge their smartphones at cafés, restaurants and even certain bus stops; get connected to high-speed Wi-Fi in forms of public transportation like subways and buses; and use public restrooms including toilet paper at no charge. Koreans are so accustomed to free restrooms that they get shocked and embarrassed when discovering that other countries charge for such services.

Among the free services Korea offers, the most impressive ones, according to non-Koreans include those at restaurants. Once diners sit at a table, they receive free water and mitbanchan (basic side dishes) without ordering them. Refills of the side dishes are also free. More often than not, restaurants have coffee vending machines that customers can use without charge. These services are all free as their expenses are included in the food prices on the menu.

For those used to paying for any of the aforementioned services in their own countries, Korea’s free services are part of what makes the country unique.

KoreaFree ServicesWi-Fipublic restroomsrestaurants