With the February intake of new EPIK teachers just around the corner, we decided to put together items that should be on everyone’s list to bring to your new home in South Korea.
Packing for small trips can be a daunting task in itself; and packing for an entire year can seem impossible. But fear not.
South Korea is a modern country, and most essentials are easily accessible here. Plus, much of what you can’t find in stores or can be bought through one of Korea’s many online retailers and shipped to your door in less than 48 hours.
There are some things though, that you won’t want to forget. Trust us.
Keep reading for a list of what to bring, what items to leave at home, and to find the answer to the all-important question of “How much money should I bring?”.
Related: What We Pack for Long Term Travel and Eco-Friendly Travel Products
What should you pack when you’re moving to South Korea?
1. Power Strip
A small power strip is a must! You can plug in all of your appliances from home, then use one adapter and converter to plug it into the Korean outlet. This saves you from needing tons of adapters. You can buy one or two of these here.
2. Unlocked Phone
Research whether you will need your phone unlocked before you come. If it’ll work to bring with, it will save you from having to purchase a new one – not a small expense (yes, even in the land of Samsung and LG).
3. Pictures of home
Photos take up hardly any space, so pack a ton! Being away from all the familiarity of home can wear on you, and pictures (or maps of home) on your walls will be something you appreciate. Plus, its a cheap way to spruce up those bare walls.
Tip: Don’t forget the sticky tack!
4. Bed sheets
Yes, the rumors are true. Sheets are expensive here and often only include the fitted one – not the flat sheet that lays between you and the comforter. Pack a couple sets if you have room. Our apartment doesn’t have curtains, and we are currently using one sheet to block out light (and the neighbors views) from our bedroom window.
5. Towels
Full-size towels are not really a thing here. If you like wrapping yourself in a big fluffy towel after a shower (as opposed to a small, scratchy one), bring it from home.
Related: Check out our favorite gear in our online storefront!
6. Deodorant
Bring lots of it. Seriously. Don’t be that smelly person. Aside from expat stores in the biggest cities, you will have a very difficult time finding deodorant here. And even if you do find some, pickings will be slim so it might not be a brand or scent you’re fond of. Or you can try switching to natural crystals that last a long time.
7. Tampons
Ahem, ladies… tampons are not popular in South Korea. And as such, they are incredibly difficult to find. I haven’t had to search too hard yet because I brought my own from home; but in the little looking I’ve done, I haven’t seen one box.
Or you could try a menstrual cup before you go to Korea and see how you like it. It would be so much less packing only one thing instead of 12 months of tampons. And it creates less waste.
(Update: I’ve heard from friends that you can find a small selection of tampons at Olive Young stores and Costco. My friends have mentioned that they are generally more expensive than at home, and there are only a few brands and types available.)
8. Pain Medication & Vitamins
After a pretty severe dental infection left Ben in a ton of pain, our ibuprofen supply was dwindling. We went to a pharmacy to pick up some more and were surprised by how expensive pain meds are in Korea. In fact, we got a 21-day supply of prescription antibiotics here for a fraction of what ten pills of Tylenol cost.
Be smart and bring a big bottle from home so you are prepared for the occasional hangover or in the case of an emergency. Additionally, if you take vitamins, bring those from home as well.
9. Toothpaste
I didn’t realize that I’m picky about toothpaste until I tried a few Korean brands. The flavors are a bit strange. Fresh pine, anyone? And even when you find mint, it is sweet. Like sugary sweet. No thank you.
10. Behind the door organizer
Korean-style bathrooms have no separation between the shower and the rest of the room. Keep your toiletries from getting drenched by bringing a behind the door organizer. I think we got ours at Target for under $10, and boy, was it a good investment. Or find it here on Amazon.
11. Spices
The only familiar spices we have easily found in Korea are black pepper, dried basil and cinnamon (though cinnamon is pretty expensive). If you like curry or any other exotic seasonings, pack them. Hopefully you will come to love Korean spices as much as we have, but everyone loves a little comfort food that tastes like home!
(Update: The Homeplus in our town recently got a makeover in the food department, and now there are spices galore! This is not the case for all Homeplus stores, so I would still recommend bringing your favorites from home.)
12. Vanilla
If you like to bake, be sure to pack vanilla because it’s really difficult to find here, and cookies just aren’t the same with out it! The baking isles in Korea are pretty well-stocked, with the exception of this one essential.
13. Healthy food
Chia seeds, quinoa, ground flax, stevia, coconut oil – these items are all extremely rare in Korea, and expensive if you do find them.
If any of these are things you can’t live without, pack them along. It may not last you an entire year, but you’ll have a small supply to make you feel more at home during your transition to life abroad.
14. Protein powder
If you have a habit of making protein smoothies in the morning or after a workout, you may want to consider bringing some from home.
While protein powder is getting easier to find, it is quite a bit more expensive than the brand we used to buy in the US. Instead of packing the whole container, put the powder in a gallon ziplock bag to save space in your suitcase.
Tip: If you are in need of protein powder while in Korea, try ordering it from iHerb.
15. Vegetti (Spiralizer)
We packed this little kitchen device on a whim, and we’re sure glad we did! I love Korean food, but I get pretty sick of all the heavy rice that’s served with every meal.
This small gadget spiral cuts zucchini into healthy “noodles” that I make every time I need a little veggie detox. It’s simple to use, and and incredibly versatile. For a really quick meal, add tomato sauce for “faux” spaghetti. Or you can add whatever vegetables you have lying around.
My favorite is to add tomatoes, mushrooms, and peppers, and then toss it with garlic, lemon, olive oil, salt and pepper. I sometimes add chicken to make it a more filling meal. Zucchinis are easy to find and relatively cheap in Korea, so if you think you’ll be needing a break from the rice and pork, consider packing this handy gadget.
You can buy a Vegetti here, or at stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond.
16. Winter clothing
Being that we’ve lived through many Minnesota winters, we consider ourselves pretty tough. But let me tell you, it gets cold here.
Since we moved to Korea during the heat of August, we didn’t think too much about the winter clothes we were packing, and did not bring nearly enough. Korea is a country with four drastically different seasons, so be prepared!
17. Candles
I kind of have an obsession with candles. There’s nothing that makes you feel quite as cozy on a winter day than a vanilla scented candle burning on your table next to a bowl of steaming soup and a plate of freshly baked cookies, am I right? Well, Koreans have an obsession with Yankee candles — there are entire stores dedicated to the brand in just about every city.
But they are hella expensive! And other than Yankee and a handful of generic ones, candles were hard to come by in Korea. I’m kind of OCD about what is in the candles that I’m burning… I don’t want to breathe those nasty chemical fumes, man. Soy or beesewax, baby!
So I really wished I had packed some high quality, delicious-smelling candles to warm up our apartment during the long winter months.
18. International Driver’s License
If you plan on traveling much in Korea, this can be a handy thing to have. We stopped by AAA before we moved to Korea and paid $20 USD for an international license.
We’ve only used it once to rent a car, but we were glad we’d brought it. Yes, you can get one while you’re over here if you deem it necessary, but you’ll need to get photos taken and it will cost a bit more (plus the hassle of figuring it all out).
While we do most of our traveling via trains or buses, there are some places in Korea that are hard to reach on public transportation.
What should you leave at home?
1. Suit Jacket
On the EPIK packing list, they tell men to bring a suit jacket. After inquiring if this was really necessary, our recruiter assured us that yes, it was required that Ben bring this big, bulky article of clothing.
Aside from the day we learned our placements (and even then it wasn’t necessary), he has not worn it. Not once. Unless you like to look as if you work in a fancy office building, leave your suit jacket at home.
2. Most of your dressy clothes
On a similar note as the topic above, we brought way too many fancy clothes. Both of our schools are pretty casual, and I end up wearing jeans and a nice top most days. Definitely pack some business clothes, but don’t overdo it.
3. Most shoes
Being that I wear a women’s size nine, I knew before moving here that I wouldn’t be able to buy any shoes in Korea.
I reasoned that I should bring every kind of shoe for every occasion – heels, casual flats, dressy sandals, hiking boots, winter boots, running shoes, you name it – I packed it.
Don’t do what I did. Let me break it down: In your Korean school, you will wear slippers all day. No, they will not match your outfit. Yes, they will be ugly. And no, you will not care.
On most days I only wear shoes on my walk to and from school, making the majority of pairs I packed unnecessary.
4. Most makeup
With the exception of foundation (it may be hard to find a match to your skin tone here), there is an abundance of all things vanity-related in Korea.
You’ll find more nail polish, bubblegum pink lipstick, and hair products than you ever thought possible. Bring your favorites from home, but it’s unnecessary to stock up on a year’s supply of anything. There are tons of stores devoted just to beauty products, so you won’t have a hard time finding what you’re looking for (plus things you never knew you needed).
The store clerk, in her well-meaning yet unfiltered manner, will assure you that you have wrinkles setting in and yes, you do really need the snail excretion mask.
5. Shampoo
Unless you are extremely brand-loyal or need special products, plan only to bring a travel-size bottle to get you through your first week in Korea.
You’ll be able to find Pantene and Dove in stores, but you’ll have to be willing to pay for the Western labels. Korean brand hair products are a fraction of the price and work just fine.
6. Hair dryer
If you bring one from home, you will need to plug it into a power converter and an adapter. Save yourself the hassle and purchase one here. You can find them here for as cheap as about $10 USD.
7. Low-cut tops
In Korea, low-cut tops are a big no-no. And it’s not just cleavage that is taboo – anything below the collar bone, really, can be considered risque.
Similarly, tank tops that expose your shoulders might attract some unwarranted stares. It does depend on the city you live in. What is acceptable in Seoul, for instance, will probably be frowned upon elsewhere in the country.
Since you are a foreigner, you will stand out anyway, but just be prepared for the reactions you might attract with your exposed décolletage.
8. Birth Control
Okay, let me rephrase that… I’m not telling you not to bring birth control. If you’re on The Pill, have a brand you like, and your doctor is willing to give you a year’s worth of the prescription in advance, by all means, bring it! But if you’re like me and couldn’t get a full year ahead of time,don’t fret.
Although Korea is a relatively conservative country, you can get birth control over the counter. And it’s cheap! I would suggest packing a few months worth of pills, just so you don’t have to worry about getting it filled right away.
When you’re running low, head to a pharmacy and show them your current prescription’s package. They should be able to match the drug, and you’ll be paying around $6 USD. Not too bad, huh?
How much cash should you bring?
Many recommendations online say to bring between $500 and $1,000 USD worth of Korean won. I would absolutely lean toward the latter.
You won’t spend anything during orientation, and if everything goes smoothly with your school, you should immediately get 300,000 won (about $275 USD) with which to furnish your apartment. If you’re lucky, your apartment will be stocked with everything to get you started that the previous teacher left behind. Though you may not be so lucky.
In our case, we needed to immediately shell out 500,000 won (roughly $460 USD) for a deposit on the gas in our home. Additionally, no teacher lived in our apartment before so it was completely empty – not one single pan or roll of toilet paper.
Needless to say, we had quite a few purchases to make right away. Until your first paycheck, it can be difficult to access funds from home. And as some of our friends found out, some foreign cards (even ones that claim to be international) do not work here. $1,000 USD worth of won should be enough to get you through the first month.
Websites to Know in South Korea
Korea has incredibly fast shipping. Like next day fast. As you may imagine, online shopping is quite popular here. Below are some good sites to help you find what you need once you’ve settled into life in Korea.
Gmarket – This website has everything. Like seriously, EVERYTHING! And shipping is incredibly fast.
iHerb – A great site for health foods and natural products – all of which can be tricky to find in stores here. Shipping on this site can take a bit longer since most of the goods are imported from overseas.
What site to avoid:
Arrival Store – This site is often recommended to foreigners when they first move to Korea. You can get the essentials, like bedding and full-sized towels delivered to your school before you even arrive.
The catch? Steep prices and products that are, in general, poor quality. For example, a friend purchased an expensive towel from the site, and the fabric started falling apart the first time she used it.
Also, beware of their phone plans – you’ll end up being tied to a contract that’s much more expensive than if you find it elsewhere. Unless you are in a real pinch, I would steer clear of this site.
*Helpful tip: Have your co-teacher or a Korean friend type your address in Korean characters into the shipping information on each of these websites. (Usually people will have things shipped to their schools instead of their apartments.) This will make the shipping process faster, and since you only have to input it once, you’ll never have to worry about it again.
Phone Number to Know in South Korea
Dial 1330 to be connected to a tourist hotline that you can call any time of the day and ask them literally ANYTHING.
They speak English well and are extremely helpful when it comes to figuring out transportation or even activities.
Example of what types of questions you can ask: What time is the first bus from Daegu to Busan on Saturday? How much does it cost? How long does it take? Where will it drop me off? Is there a good restaurant nearby? Like I said, ANYTHING!
Are you planning a trip to South Korea?
We have TONS of resources on travel in South Korea and destinations throughout the country. Check out our Ultimate South Korea Travel Guide for all the answers to your most burning questions, or read some of our favorite articles below.
Save this packing list on Pinterest for later!
We want to hear from you!
Are you planning a trip and still have questions? Comment below and we’ll do our best to get back to you!
Hi. I am leaving for Seoul soon (6 weeks). Do you have any advice about where/how to get money converted? Should I try to do it stateside or wait till I get to Incheon? Do you have any recommendations? Thanks. 🙂
Hi Kat! How exciting, you’re leaving so soon! To get your Korean Won, I would first try to get it out of your local bank. They may have to send for it and might take a week or two, but having cash (won) in hand when you land in Korea is best. If you’re unable to get money at your local bank, you could always try a bigger bank in your area. As a back up, I would have a credit card or two with you for when you land in Korea and you could get money out of an ATM. That is how we usually take money out when we travel. We explain all our favorite travel credit cards on our Travel Resources page.
I hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions!
Hi,
I’m planning on applying to be an EPIK teacher next year. A lot of people say that sheets are expensive. How expensive exactly, could you provide a rough figure.
We actually brought an older set of sheets to Korea that we had for a while with the plan of leaving them in Korea, so that we would not waste money on a new set. I’m not entirely sure the cost of sheets in Korea. But they typically do not have top sheets for sale in the big box stores in Korea, only fitted sheets and comforters.
Hey there! Thanks so much for the insight! I head out in August and appreciate the honest living approach! Can’t wait!
So glad it was helpful, Kevin! Have an amazing time. We miss life in Korea and reminisce about it all the time. We’d love to hear how you like it in the ROK 🙂 Cheers!
Hello i have some worries and am equally scared of purchasing an air ticket.I bought some goods in south Korea for it to be exported to my country (Liberia).But i went into an agreement with the seller in order for me to come over to South korea, to inspect my goods before export.The seller sent me the invitation already and i have an ECOWAS passport which is visa upon arrival and a copy of my hotel reservation has been sent to me.So please i need some advice on which documents and necessities for me not to be held by the immigration in Incheon airport.Thanks, hoping to read back from anyone.simply reply me here or by email:franklinegaye654@gmail.com
Email will be much more appreciated
Hey Frankline, We don’t know much about the import process, so we can’t give much advice unfortunately. Try reaching out to your contact in Korea. Hopefully they can help. Best of luck getting it sorted out!
Excellent information! For those who want an assortment of various expat products. I used this website to buy things to survive for 5 long years in Korea. Infact most international kids at my uni used to buy stuff from this website.
PS: Korean condoms are too tight and small, so pack your fav set of condoms.
Thank you so much for the post! It really clears me up!
One thing I was wondering, where do you find good service and deals or your phone? I mean, I have read a lot of article regarding using phone in South Korea and most of them recommend to go Arrival Store and yet you said that the price can get steep.. So I was wondering where to find the best price for your provider? I am a student and planning to go to South Korea this March. Had been thinking to go to Arrival Store until I found this post! Please help me out I am on tight budget! (well, you know, student :D)
Oops! Sorry, it should be, "where do you find good service and deals FOR your phone?" Afraid it might confuse you 🙂
We knew what ya meant 😉
Hi Muthia, great question! Definitely skip the Arrival Store if you’re on a budget. One of my friends signed up with them before she moved to Korea and was locked into a way overpriced contract for the year. The nice thing about going with the Arrival Store is that you’d have a SIM card as soon as you arrive and will have phone service right away.
Our recommendation (what we did) would be to bring your current phone from home (hopefully it can be unlocked). For the first few days, you might have to go without having a phone number and texting, but you can definitely get by because there’s free and high-speed wifi everywhere, and everyone in Korea uses Kakao (free app/can use on wifi) for messaging instead of text anyway!
The phone provider we used was Oleh, and we had a good experience, but there are several. It kind of depends on where you’re living… so choose one that you see around your city and either bring a Korean friend/co-worker with you or have someone translate and write out that you want to set up a phone service. Be sure to include that you want the most basic plan. Ours was 37,000 won per month with minutes (didn’t use much of these) and 5GB of data (rarely ran out because I tried to use wifi when possible). Also, bring your ARC (alien registration card).
Another option is to get a preloaded SIM card. One of my friends did this, but she often ran out. She only paid about 15,000 won per month, but it was really hard to get a hold of her.
Anyway, I hope this helps!
Arriving in Korea without a phone plan can be a little inconvenient for the first week or so, but after that it’s totally worth it! The 37,000 won we paid was a lot better each month than my friend who used the Arrival Store and was locked into a contract for around 75,000 won per month. Good luck!
Thank you so much for this!! <3 Moving there next week, eeeeee!
Wow, what a big adventure ahead of you! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Best of luck – we think you’ll have an incredible experience (we sure did!).
Hi!
My fiance is going to become an english teacher there (and I luckily am being brought along) but I really worry if they will choose to pick him since I am coming along. They may not want me to be there in fear I will have him close the contract with the school early to go home (Definitely wont happen!). Also, I am bringing two small cats with me and I don’t know how I am going to bring their supplies or if I should buy the litter box there..
Hey Megan, many Koreans own dogs and cats so I know there are pet supplies at many of the major department stores like HomePlus. They might not have the same brands, but there are definitely supplies for cats.
Hi there, thanks for this thorough post! It’s just what I was looking for. One question—have you seen any curly hair products around? My hair is wavy/curly and I usually use something to define it a bit. I’ll be in a fairly small city (120,000) by Korean standards, but with access to Busan, so I was wondering if I should stock up. Thank you!
Thanks Hana, I’m so glad this is helpful! That is a great question. Korea has an abundance of haircare products, and even though most Koreans have naturally straight hair, many get perms so I did see several products for curly hair. Busan will have everything you need, and if you run out you can always order things on GMarket (Korea’s version of Amazon). This all said, if you are particularly picky about hair products, you might want to bring the brand you like from home since you aren’t guaranteed to find it in Korea. I hope this answers your question!
Hello! I am leaving to South Korea in two days (oh boy) and I’ve found your suggestions very helpful. However, there is one thing that’s unclear to me – should I bring slippers, or expect to get them there? I have size 11 women’s feet (big, I know!) so I’m not planning on buying any shoes there…
Oh wow, such an exciting time! We were in your shoes just two short years ago! I’m so glad this packing list is helpful to you.
Yay, a fellow lady with large feet 😉 To be honest, with size 11, you’ll have many more options if you buy them at home (I’m assuming you mean the slippers for inside your school?).
That said, if you don’t care what they look like, you could just plan on getting mens’ slippers. I have women’s size 9, and it was pretty difficult for me to find a pair of women’s shoes, so I ended up getting a pair of men’s slip-ons. (I bought them at Homeplus for 6,000 won – about $6USD I believe. And when winter came around, I bought some little "wool" booties at Homeplus, and they actually ended up being too big for my feet.) Neither pair were very cute, but they did they job (and they really were my only choice.) You should be able to find a pair that fits you in the men’s section without too much trouble. For instance, Ben has size 11 in mens shoes, and he was able to find them just fine at Homeplus.
So I guess my point is that if you don’t care much about how they look and you’re okay with choosing from a very limited selection, you could buy them once you arrive. But if you want a little more choice, or cuter style, you should bring them from home. I hope this helps!
Good luck with all your packing and with your big move! Have fun at orientation and let us know how you’re liking life in Korea! We’re very excited for you!
Hello me and my friend (both 18) are moving to Seoul can you write me a personal email about moving there (ex. Transferring American money to Korean money) if it isn’t a hassle my email is arehyana@icloud.com
Hi Arieh, thanks for the comment. We will send you an email with some information shortly. Cheers!
Great article! A lot of really good information. I also like this interview with a journalist, Alexandria Taberski, who spent a year teaching English in South Korea for some first hand experience on what to pack and what to leave at home
Keep up the awesome blogging!
Thanks Elijah, glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much for this article. I will be leaving for Korea next month, so this is a big help. I do have a few questions though. How many pairs of shoes did you bring with you? I will be an EPIK teacher so I know I won’t need shoes for work really, but how much is to much?
I have heard of some teachers taking teaching materials with them. Do you think this is necessary? If so, any recommendations?
And my final question, how much luggage did you take? I thought I could get away with one large suitcase, my 65L backpack, and I carryon, but I’m thinking I need more. I could easily have a suitcase full of food lol! Thanks again for all the great information 🙂
I’m so glad it was helpful, Jerline! Great questions, I’ll do my best to answer them!
Ahhh shoes… that was a tough one for me too. If you have size 8 or smaller you’ll have no problem finding tons of great (and reasonably priced) shoes in Korea. I have size 9 and couldn’t buy them there, but I brought waaaay too many (and by that I mean like 15 pairs). If I were to do it again, I would have brought far fewer (but I’m not super high maintenance when it comes to shoes so that’s just my opinion). I do wish I had a pair of rain boots because when I had to walk to school in the rain it was pretty miserable!
I had heard of some people bringing teaching materials too… totally unnecessary! I brought a bunch of stickers but rarely used them. Plus, they’re available in Korea. I would just wait until you get there and assess your school situation. My school let me order school supplies if I ever needed them and the school covered the cost. It’s really unlikely that you’d need to buy any materials.
We each brought 2 big suitcases and a carryon. I would think your luggage plan sounds fine! (And you’ll definitely want your big backpack for traveling during breaks!) Overall, I packed too many tank tops/dressy clothes and not enough warm winter clothes (it gets cold in Korea!). Otherwise, I really was happy with what I brought and wouldn’t have wanted too much more. It is a perfect opportunity to live simply!
Good luck with your big move and have fun at EPIK orientation!
Thank you! I’m vegan and was preparing to bring all of my toiletries and so many products I figured I wouldn’t be able to get, but iherb has it all! What a relief. Running shoes/clothes will be my downfall…I run a lot 🙂
Hi Stephanie, I’m glad you found the packing list helpful! You should definitely look into getting a Vegetti – as a vegan, that might be a nice thing to have for cooking on your own. I’m sure you’re aware, but you will have a difficult time eating out at any Korean restaurant (They don’t cater very well to vegetarians/vegans) so you’ll most likely have to cook most of your meals.
As for running shoes, if you have size 8 or under you shouldn’t have a problem finding shoes at all! My friends were constantly getting new shoes. They have the big brands like Nike and Adidas in Korea, but most are more "fashion/jogging" shoes and not the type you might get at home for long distance running with proper support. I have size 9 feet, so I wasn’t able to find any shoes there and had to bring everything from home.
Good luck with your move, and yes, iHerb is the best! It may take your first order a while to get through customs (since you have to register it under your name because it’s technically an "import"), but your orders after that should go more smoothly.
Thank you so much for this article, I was just preparing to bring about 3 suit coats and now I won’t haha. This is so extrememely helpful!
Sorry for the delay in responding (had some sketchy internet for the last couple weeks!). I’m so glad this article was helpful! Ben was told that the suit jacket was a MUST, so of course, we packed it. But he has only worn it once. ONCE! It was at orientation and many other guys were just wearing button downs, so he definitely did not need to bring it. After talking to several other male English teachers here, they all agree — suit jackets just aren’t necessary (unless you truly love wearing them!). Bring some polos though — short sleeves are SO essential in the hot hot hot summer months!
Such a helpful article as I begin my packing! What size sheets would you recommend bringing?
Thanks Emily, I’m glad it was helpful! That’s a great question. Your bed size may vary. I have a few friends who were lucky and have a full size bed. But we, as a married couple, have a twin bed. Go figure! We brought full-sized sheets to be prepared for anything, and it has worked just fine. They are a little loose, but it’s better than being too small! (Full size sheets would be my suggestion) Also, I just added a new item to the list (#14), so you should check it out 🙂 Good luck with your move!
Thanks Katie! I just placed an order for a quick arrival of a vegetti 🙂 I can’t thank you enough for all your extremely helpful advice!
Yay, I’m so glad you got the Vegetti! You’ll love it! It’s so nice to have a break from rice 😉 Good luck with your big move! I’m excited to hear how everything goes!