How to Use Naver Map in English: A Foreigner's Guide

How to Use Naver Map in English: A Foreigner's Guide

After three years in Seoul, I can honestly say Naver Map is my lifeline. While Google Maps works here, Naver Map is actually *better* for navigating Korea because it has more accurate subway information, real-time bus arrivals, and restaurants actually use it. Let me walk you through setting it up and using it like a pro.

Getting Started: Download & Language Settings

First, grab the app from your phone's app store — search "Naver Map" (네이버 맵). It's free, and you don't even need a Naver account to use basic features.

Here's the crucial part: Open the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner, scroll down to "Settings" (설정), and look for "Language" (언어). Select "English." Done! The entire interface switches over. This was honestly a game-changer for me when I first moved here.

Basic Navigation: Getting from A to B

The search bar at the top is your best friend. Type any destination — a cafe name, address, or even just "pizza near me" and Naver Map will show results with ratings (별), reviews (리뷰), and operating hours.

Once you've found your spot, tap it and hit the blue "Navigation" (길찾기) button. You'll see three route options:

• Fastest (빠른길) — quickest time
• Recommended (추천) — balanced route
• Avoid highways (고속도로 제외) — self-explanatory

The app automatically calculates subway, bus, or walking routes. For public transit, it shows exact train departure times and which subway car to board for convenient transfers. Game-changing stuff.

Restaurant Hunting Like a Local

This is where Naver Map genuinely beats Google Maps. When you search for a restaurant, you get Korean user reviews *with photos of actual food*, real-time wait times, and whether they accept card payments (카드 가능) or cash only (현금만).

Tap "Menu" (메뉴) to see prices in KRW. A typical Korean lunch set (정식) runs 8,000–15,000 KRW. You can also check "Business Hours" (영업시간) — critical because many places close on Mondays (월요일 휴무).

Pro tip: Look for the "Reservation" (예약) button to book tables at nicer restaurants.

Saving & Sharing Locations

Found an amazing tteokbokki (떡볶이) spot? Save it. Tap the heart icon and create custom folders — I have "Hongdae Coffee," "Cheap Eats," and "Friends' Recommendations." You can also share locations by tapping the share icon and sending via KakaoTalk (카카오톡).

Exploring Your Neighborhood

The "Around Me" feature is underrated. Tap the circle icon in the bottom-right corner to see everything nearby categorized by type — cafes, ATMs (ATM/은행), convenience stores (편의점), PC bangs (PC방), you name it. Super useful when you're new to an area.

Advanced Features Worth Knowing

Street View (스트릿뷰): Tap the camera icon to see what an address actually looks like before you visit. Helpful for finding small alleyway shops or confirming you're at the right building.

Favorites (즐겨찾기): Pin your home (집) and workplace (직장) at the top of the app for one-tap navigation.

Reviews Filter: When reading reviews, you can filter by rating. I usually check 2-3 star reviews to see what went wrong.

Things to Remember

Unlike some apps, Naver Map *requires* you to be online for full functionality, though basic maps cache. Also, some addresses in Korea use the