Visitors to Korea will discover a wide array of unique and delicious food. In Korea, like in neighboring China and Japan, people eat with chopsticks.  However, a spoon is used more often in Korea, especially when soups are served.  Formal rules have developed for table setting, which can vary depending on whether a noodle or meat dish is served.

The Korean currency consists of a ten thousand, five thousand, and one thousand won note. At the front of bills are the great men in Korean history. The official currency is the Won (KRW). Banknotes are issued in the following denominations: KRW 1,000, KRW 5,000 and KRW 10,000; and coins in use are: KRW 10, KRW 50, KRW 100 and KRW 500. Buses and vending machines may only accept 1,000 won bills and coins. (At the time of this printing, exchange rates are: USD 1.00 = 1,264 (KRW) - May 2009).

For international calls, dial the international dialing code (001, 002, or 008), country code, area code, and the individual number. Domestic and international phone cards are available for sale at most convenient stores, hotels, and airports. Cell-phone Rental Services are available at Incheon International Airport. This service must be ordered in advance. Online-Reservation is possible at www.visitkorea.or.kr

The standard voltage in Korea is 220 volts. The outlet has two round holes and is the same type used in France, Germany, Austria, Greece, Turkey, and many other countries. Always check the power supply before using your equipment.

Government office hours are usually from 9am to 6pm on weekdays and closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Banks are open from 9:00am to 4:00pm on weekdays and closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Major department stores are open every day from 10:30am to 8pm including Sundays.

Wherever you are, Korea Travel Phone will help with all your travel needs. Simply dial 1330 from either your cell phone or public telephone to have all your travel questions answered. 1330 is a travel information phone service provided exclusively for foreign tourists traveling throughout Korea. A friendly multilingual operator (English, Japanese, and Chinese) is available to assist with any information you need 24 hours a day. Also linked to the Emergency Phone 199, it provides foreign tourists with an emergency language translation service.30am to 8pm including Sundays.

Value-added tax is levied on most goods and services at a standard rate of 10% and is included in the retail price. Tipping is not customary in Korea. In tourist hotels a 10% service charge is added to the bill, and 3-10% at some large restaurants.