What You Should Pack to Korea

Filed as: How-To // Responses: 117

Planning on coming to Korea? What are you going to bring with you in your suitcase? Surely by now you’ve heard stories, about what Korea has or does not have, but as we discovered, a lot of those were just rumors. Since we’ve been in Korea for well over a year now, we can squash those rumors. After visiting Canada for summer vacation, we prepared “a what to pack” and “what not to bother packing” video. Unfortunately, the video could not cover everything, because it would be far too long, so this post will serve as the exclusive extras list of things you must pack to Korea.

Not mentioned in the video are the following:

ELECTRONICS: Simon packed his Wii and PS3, and has had no issue with them whatsoever. Nothing has fried after many hours of usage. The secret? Read your cables! If they say anywhere on them “Input: 100-240v” you’re safe! You can plug in your electronics from anywhere in the world so long as you have a little plug adapter to pop on the top of it. If you don’t have that cable, it’s ok! You can still buy a power converter. Go to any supermarket and in the lighting section (usually), you’ll find a thick, ugly, clunky metal box that will plug into your Korean outlet and let you plug in two of your North American plugs. It ain’t pretty, but it works.

BOARD GAMES: If you’re geeky and like board games like us, we had a hard time finding reasonably priced English games (ie: Scrabble was double the price) and the newer games (ie: Cranium, Apples to Apples) were impossible to find. Playing cards are also expensive. Pack any games you find necessary.
COMFORT FOODS: Fruit teas, chai tea, and your favorite black tea brands are impossible to find or are otherwise really, really expensive. Starbucks does offer a small selection of TAZO brand teas, though.

COOKING FOOD: Dried spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, oregeno, and basil are available in speciality import sections but crazy expensive, and Martina was unable to find liquid vanilla extract anywhere.

COSMETICS: If your skin tone isn’t similar to a Korean person’s skin tone, it can be hard to find pressed power or liquid foundation to match your skin, so come prepared. If you wear contacts and can only use a specific brand of solution, pack a few bottles to be safe.

GIFTS: It’s nice to bring your new employer a gift to thank them for hiring you. If you’re at a public school, get a small gift for your Principal, Vice Principal, and the co-teacher who will be taking care of you when you first arrive. We suggest a product that is only availble in your country. For example, a specific food (we brought organic maple syrup), hand cream/soap (Bath and Body Works is not available in Korea yet, and it’s sought after) or even alchohol (rum, ice wine, or rum filled candy).

Feel free to contact us or leave a comment about anything you’re worried about Korea not having. We might not know all of the answers, mind you, but we might be able to tell you if you should pack it or not.

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Iris Rios

Wait, so does the airport allow you to pack food? I’ve never traveled before (except in car) so I’m not sure what your allowed to pack, because don’t they confiscate things, the airport people that is.

http://profile.yahoo.com/U3EPPM5ST3ZBLRLX6UJQ2ZIWIY Eden

depends on what you pack. If you pack 50 of the same thing, they may confiscate it. Really, they’re looking for people who are bringing stuff over in bulk in order to sell it for jacked up prices and avoid paying import taxes.

Packing a few snacks, and even a bottle or two of alcohol is okay, just be sure to claim it on the customs form to avoid getting fined for it.

Anonymous

Hi Simon and Martina ^_^!!!,
Your videos and blogs are really helpful (and always hilarious) ^_^ Thanks so much!!!
I do have a couple questions though:
1. Should I buy a winter coat here(California) or buy there? I’m pretty sure I can fit the sizes but I’m thinking price wise, would it be cheaper? (I’m studying abroad at Yonsei Univerity during Feb-June and they said feb and march is really cold).

2.Since I’m only going to be there for 4 months internet articles have said to pack like two weeks of clothing…Do you guys think that’s really enough as a student?
Thanks for any reply ^_^ (감사합니다!!!♥♡)
Nani Chun

What about glasses and contact lenses? Is it better to buy them in Korea?

ashley lee

you can get em here too. I’m pretty sure like 8 out of 10 of koreans have bad eye vision..haha so don’t worry about it.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1175312602 Stephanie Gall

Hey Simon and Martina! Greeeeeeeeat blog. I’m loving it and it’s making me get so excited about living in Korea.

My question is:
Will I be able to bring my iPhone 4 and simply buy a sim card?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Julia-Ida/686651762 Julia Ida

Your information is great! I have a couple items to ask about:
1. Sunscreen
2. Neutrogena and/or Cetaphil products
3. Bath towels– I have heard they only use smaller towels versus our larger towels.
Thank you for your videos and articles!

http://profile.yahoo.com/U3EPPM5ST3ZBLRLX6UJQ2ZIWIY Eden

1. sunscreen can be found, they call it ‘sun cream’
2. They sell some neutrogena products, but they can be quite expensive.
3. Large towels are available at some markets, but i would suggest bringing one of your own to be safe.

teniya marie

How many suitcases do you guys have each? No, seriously, how many? I’m afraid of not having enough room but don’t want to be hauling six different bags/suitcases by myself.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=549883191 Moriah Walters

ewww ranch and marshmallow? lol eewk!
aww simon & martina.:’( i’m big too 5’10 and my shoes are 10 so i have to shop before gwangju? :/ booo! so unfair! I’m going to to feel like chubaka there T_T
haha! Koreans have small boobs!
How can I bring my pet iguana? Are there iguana’s in SK?

http://profile.yahoo.com/U3EPPM5ST3ZBLRLX6UJQ2ZIWIY Eden

unfortunately, korean shops don’t sell shoe sizes above size 8 for women. if you’re lucky you might find a scarce 8 and a half. Even korean websites generally don’t go larger than size 9. so if you want cute shoes, i suggest bringing them from home.

As for your iguana…you might be able to bring it, but you’ll probably have to jump through some hoops to get it through customs.

http://twitter.com/tashaswinney tashadezaraeswinney

Hello! This question is more for Martina and it’s about what is standard to wear as a woman teaching in a public school in Korea, specifically where the line is with what is too causal or too much like street clothes. Is there any way you could do a video on this? I know that showing skin around the neck and shoulders is bad, but does that mean you should wear turtlenecks to school? Are sundresses okay to teach in?
http://profile.yahoo.com/V4Z5O3XWRC5SS6JEW3YWBWTF4Q Emily

I’ve been browsing the internet for videos and blogs like this. Thanks! My packing list would probably be much smaller since I’m a very short girl with little feet. Didn’t know that much about beauty products though. Probably would have done the same as you did the first time. And A&W! That’s the best root beer ever!