Cash vs Card in Korea: What I Wish I'd Known When I Arrived

Cash or Card in Korea? Here's What Actually Works

When I first landed in Seoul three years ago, I made the rookie mistake of withdrawing a massive amount of cash from the airport ATM. Spoiler alert: I didn't need it. Korea is incredibly card-friendly, but—and this is important—it's not *completely* cashless. Let me break down what I've learned so you don't waste time figuring this out yourself.

The Card Reality: It's Actually Great Here

Honestly, cards dominate daily life in Korea way more than most countries I've lived in. You can use your card almost everywhere:

Convenience stores (GS25, CU, Emart24) - Every corner, card accepted

Restaurants and cafes - Even tiny pojangmacha (포장마차) street food stalls often have card readers

Public transport - Your transit card (rechargeable) works on subway, buses, taxis

Supermarkets and department stores - Obviously

The big win? Most Korean cards give you cashback (캐시백) and rewards points (포인트). My Samsung Card gives me 0.5-2% back on most purchases. That adds up when you're buying your ₩4,500 coffee every morning.

But Here's the Cash Caveat

Don't assume you can go full digital. Some places *only* take cash:

Older restaurants (think family-run bibimbap places in residential neighborhoods)

Some street vendors - Not all, but definitely some

Certain PC bangs (피시방) and small entertainment venues

Tipping at salons or spas - Cash is still preferred (not mandatory, but appreciated)

Small neighborhood shops - Especially outside central Seoul

I've been caught without cash exactly once at a tiny kalguksu restaurant in Bukchon, and it was awkward. Now I keep ₩50,000-₩100,000 on me at all times.

The Banking Situation

Here's what surprised me: getting a Korean bank account as a foreigner is actually straightforward if you have an ARC (Alien Registration Card). I'd recommend opening one at:

KB Kookmin Bank or Shinhan Bank - Most foreigner-friendly

You'll need your ARC and passport

Minimum deposit is usually just ₩1,000

Most international cards work fine here too (Visa, Mastercard), but some smaller places prefer domestic cards. My Revolut card works everywhere, but I've heard reports of it being declined at random places.

My Honest Recommendation

Use cards for 90% of your spending. Seriously, it's easier, safer, and you get rewards. But:

Keep ₩50,000-₩100,000 cash in your wallet always

Get a transit card (Suica-style, called "교통카드") recharged at any convenience store

Open a Korean bank account if you're staying beyond a few months

Download Naver Pay and Kakao Pay apps - some places use these instead of card machines

After three years, I probably only use cash for maybe 5% of my transactions. The system works, and honestly, once you're set up with a Korean card, Seoul feels like one of the most convenient places I've ever lived for payments.

Pro tip: Always carry your ID (ARC or passport) and at least one backup card. Korea runs smoothly, but it's always good to have a Plan B when you're abroad.