One page for everything this site has covered about Seoul — 46 posts. Dates and prices are as of each post; this page is rebuilt when a new post lands.
Latest posts 46 posts
| Is Seoul bigger than New York? Population, area, metro compared Seoul is bigger than New York by population (9.4M vs 8.3M) and metro size (26M vs 20M), but NYC is larger in land. |
2026-09-18 |
| Food Price in Seoul Traditional Market: 18.4% Cheaper Food price in Seoul traditional market vs mart: a 28-item Chuseok basket costs 352,553 KRW at markets, 79,509 KRW less than large marts. |
2026-09-17 |
| Gapyeong chuncheon day trip from seoul: ITX ₩9,800, costs and routes Gapyeong Chuncheon day trip from Seoul: ITX-Chungcheong ₩9,800, about 1 hour from Yongsan, and the dakgalbi alley is walkable. |
2026-09-17 |
| Seoul itinerary 5 days winter: what closes Dec-Feb, swaps, budget A seoul itinerary 5 days winter still works: see what closes Dec-Feb, the swaps (Deoksugung, gukbap, light festival), and sample costs in wo |
2026-09-17 |
| What I Eat in Korean Convenience Store: A Full Day for 8,900 KRW A full day of eating at a Korean convenience store — dosirak, triangle kimbap, a hot snack, dessert and Banana Milk — totals about 8,900 KRW |
2026-09-17 |
| Seoul itinerary 5 days with kids: one district a day A seoul itinerary 5 days with kids: two to three stops a day, palaces at 10:00, Han River after lunch. |
2026-09-16 |
| How to pay for bus in Seoul: tap twice, T-money card, 2026 fares How to pay for bus in Seoul: tap on at the front door, tap off at the rear with a T-money card. |
2026-09-16 |
| Goobne pa-gireum tteokbokki chicken: what it is, price, and the Dec 9 end date Goobne pa-gireum tteokbokki chicken launched Sept 14, 2026, skips gochujang, and sells until Dec 9 — here’s the price, configuration, and wh |
2026-09-16 |
| Is Seoul safe at night for women: trains, taxis, scams Is Seoul safe at night for women? |
2026-09-15 |
| is seoul station open 24 hours? No — Closed Around 1 AM Wondering is Seoul Station open 24 hours? |
2026-09-15 |
| Cheap eats in myeongdong: 2,000 KRW tteok, 11,000 KRW kalguksu Cheap eats in myeongdong from 2,000 KRW tteok at the 8:30am open run to 11,000 KRW kalguksu at Myeongdong Kyoja — prices, hours and timing t |
2026-09-15 |
| Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour 2026: Dates Sept 10–Oct 17, 30,000 KRW Tickets, and How Foreigners Book The 2026 Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour runs Sept 10–Oct 17, costs 30,000 KRW, and foreigners book dedicated English sessions first-come on Cr |
2026-09-14 |
| South Korea Travel Etiquette: Take Your Shoes Off, Use Two Hands, and 5 More Rules Visitors Get Wrong South Korea travel etiquette basics: no tipping, shoes off indoors, two hands, pink subway seats, quiet phones, chopstick taboos, and counte |
2026-09-14 |
| Must Eats in Korea 2026: The Answer Right Now Is Tteok, Not BBQ Must eats in Korea right now means tteok: pizza-matgi and hongbean-injeolmi, sold at shops with 8 a.m. |
2026-09-14 |
| Is Seoul Tap Water Safe to Drink? The Official Numbers and Where to Refill Is Seoul tap water safe to drink? |
2026-09-14 |
| Can I Use Apple Pay in Korea Subway? Yes, With a T-money Card in Apple Wallet Wondering can i use apple pay in korea subway? |
2026-09-13 |
| What to Eat in Korea for Breakfast: 2,000 Won Pizza Seolgi Rice Cakes From 8:30am What to eat in Korea for breakfast: pizza seolgi rice cakes at 2,000 won from 8:30am, mustard-dipped gimbap at Gwangjang Market, and cafe al |
2026-09-13 |
| seoul itinerary 5 days autumn 2026: Seoul 3 + Busan 2, and why you skip the day trips A seoul itinerary 5 days autumn plan built as Seoul 3 + Busan 2 by KTX: 2026 fares (₩59,800 KTX / ₩52,600 SRT), foliage dates, and why Chuse |
2026-09-13 |
| Korean rice cake dessert trend: dessert posts up 40%, items from 2,000 KRW Korean rice cake dessert trend explained: tteok-as-dessert posts rose 40% year-over-year. |
2026-09-13 |
| Seoul bus strike September 2026: will buses run, is the subway normal? Seoul bus strike September 2026: wage talks broke down on Sept 11 and the union moved to a strike vote. |
2026-09-13 |
| Seonji Haejangguk: The Blood Curd Hangover Soup Koreans Swear By Seonji haejangguk is Korea’s blood curd hangover soup. |
2026-09-12 |
| Chuncheon Korean fried chicken: Why This City 2 Hours From Seoul Is Worth a Day Trip Chuncheon Korean fried chicken explained: why the city is known for chicken, how to read a Korean chicken menu, what a meal costs, and how t |
2026-09-12 |
| Gyeongju hanbok free entry Chuseok 2026: tombs and observatory for 0 KRW Gyeongju hanbok free entry during Chuseok 2026 (Sept 24-27): Daereungwon and Cheomseongdae waive admission for hanbok wearers, plus KTX book |
2026-09-12 |
| Ottogi Han River ramyeon: what’s different and how to cook it Ottogi Han River ramyeon reached convenience stores nationwide on September 9, 2026. |
2026-09-11 |
| Azelaic acid Korean skincare is missing from Olive Young Korea — Anua and Skin1004 lines are export-only, what Seoul stocks instead Azelaic acid Korean skincare is not sold in Korea. |
2026-09-11 |
| Seoul Forest traditional music concert Sept 11 – Oct 24, free night gugak The Seoul Forest traditional music concert runs September 11 to October 24, 2026, every Friday evening and Saturday afternoon at K-Heritage |
2026-09-11 |
| Han River ramyeon Hits Convenience Stores: Why Ottogi Picked This Timing Ottogi’s Han River ramyeon went on sale at convenience stores nationwide on September 9, 2026. |
2026-09-11 |
| Korea golden routes: 5 airport hubs, and when foreign travelers can actually use them Korea golden routes plan: 5 airport hubs announced September 10, 2026, no launch date yet. |
2026-09-11 |
| Korail Pass seat reservation during Chuseok 2026: valid but standing — how to lock a seat The Korail Pass stays valid during Chuseok 2026 but does not guarantee a seat. |
2026-09-10 |
| Korean Won Prices Guide: What 1,000 / 5,000 / 10,000 / 50,000 Notes Actually Buy A Korean won prices guide for travelers: the four notes, a fast won-to-USD trick at about 1,350 KRW per USD, and what typical Seoul prices l |
2026-09-10 |
| KORAIL SRT booking integration: from Sept 1 one app books both KTX and Suseo trains KORAIL SRT booking changed on September 1, 2026. |
2026-09-10 |
| Seoul drone show September 2026: Sept 12 Ttukseom, Free 15-Minute Show Expected Around 8 PM Seoul drone show September 2026: the next flight is September 12 at Ttukseom Hangang Park. |
2026-09-09 |
| Olive Young Sale Best Sellers Home Spa: Hair Packs +68%, Sebum Packs 5x — What to Grab Next Olive Young sale best sellers home spa data: hair pack searches +68%, hand packs +69%, sebum-absorbing packs about 5x year over year, and wh |
2026-09-09 |
| Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival 2026: Sept 26–28 at Olympic Park — end-of-month Seoul plan The 26th Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival runs Sept 26–28, 2026 at Olympic Park in Songpa, Seoul. |
2026-09-09 |
| KFC Godsoi chicken 2026: new boneless Godsoi Tongdali and a November 9 end date KFC Godsoi Chicken 2026 is back for a fourth season until November 9, 2026. |
2026-09-09 |
| Gyeongbokgung night tour 2026: 3,000 won, Sept 2-Oct 2, and how booking works Gyeongbokgung Night Tour 2026 runs Sept 2-Oct 2 at 3,000 won. |
2026-09-08 |
| Seoul itinerary Chuseok 2026 — why staying put beats the 10-hour KTX crawl Chuseok 2026 runs September 24–27. |
2026-09-08 |
| Shin Ramyun Bunsik Seongsu: waits, menu, and the DIY cup — a guide before the November closing Shin Ramyun Bunsik in Seongsu drew 217,000 visitors in two months and closes in late November 2026. |
2026-09-08 |
| Korea eSIM travel tips: same trip, up to 33% cheaper eSIM Korea eSIM travel tips with real prices: eSIM vs airport carrier SIM vs pocket wifi vs roaming, the Korean number tradeoff, and a setup-befo |
2026-09-08 |
| Ottogi’s ‘Han River ramyeon’ bagged noodle: October launch, and how the real Han River ritual works Ottogi confirmed a bagged Han River ramyeon for October 2026. |
2026-09-08 |
| Korea navigation apps: why Google Maps fails and 4 to install before landing Korea navigation apps explained: Google Maps cannot give walking or driving directions in South Korea. |
2026-09-07 |
| Korean Mexican Food: Chipotle Gangnam’s 3-Hour Wait, Cucharra’s 12,900 Won K-Mex Pop-Up and Where to Try It Chipotle’s first Asia store drew 3-hour lines in Gangnam. |
2026-09-07 |
| Chipotle Gangnam, first store in Asia — what to know before you join the line Chipotle Gangnam opened Sept 2, 2026 as the first Chipotle in Asia. |
2026-09-07 |
| Seoul taekwondo performance: free weekend shows at Namsangol until Oct 18 The Seoul taekwondo performance resumed September 5, 2026. |
2026-09-06 |
| Chuseok 2026 Korea travel: free parking, what closes Chuseok 2026 Korea travel guide: Seoul waives parking fees at 61 public lots from Sep 24–26, banks and government offices close, and transit |
2026-09-06 |
| Seoul fireworks festival 2026 subway: Which Stations to Use Tonight Seoul fireworks festival 2026 subway guide: Lines 5 and 9 add trains, Wonhyo Bridge closes, and about 6,800 safety staff manage the crowd at |
2026-09-06 |
Confirmed facts
| Seoul city population — About 9.4 million within city limits (2024-2025 resident registration) | 09-18 |
| Seoul city area — 605.2 km² (about 234 sq mi) | 09-18 |
| Seoul metro population — About 26 million in the Seoul Capital Area (Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi) | 09-18 |
| NYC city population — About 8.3-8.5 million within city limits (2024 census estimate) | 09-18 |
| NYC city area — About 778-784 km² (land area 302.6 sq mi), roughly 25-30% larger than Seoul | 09-18 |
| NYC metro population — About 19.9-20 million in the New York metropolitan area | 09-18 |
| Direct answer — population — Seoul the city is bigger: ~9.4M vs ~8.3M (+~13%) | 09-18 |
| Direct answer — area — New York City is bigger in land area: ~784 km² vs ~605 km² | 09-18 |
| Direct answer — metro — Seoul metro is bigger: ~26M vs ~20M | 09-18 |
| Seoul population density — About 15,500-16,000 per km², among the highest of major OECD cities | 09-18 |
| NYC population density — About 11,300 per km² (29,000 per sq mi land) | 09-18 |
| Seoul subway scale — Around 23 lines, ~290+ stations, ridership among the world’s highest — one fare card covers nearly all of the metro area | 09-18 |
| NYC subway scale — 28 routes / 424 stations (MTA), but separate systems (PATH, NJ Transit) for the New Jersey side of the metro | 09-18 |
| Trip-planning implication — district-per-day — Seoul’s ~25 districts and dense subway make ‘one district a day’ itineraries workable without a car; cross-city day trips are unnecessary | 09-18 |
| Seoul area ranking — Seoul is often cited as one of the largest metro economies/cities in the world but is NOT the largest city by either city-proper population or area | 09-18 |
| Busan day-trip check — Busan is ~325 km from Seoul; KTX takes about 2.5-3 hours each way — feasible but a long day trip, better as an overnight | 09-18 |
| Manhattan comparison — Manhattan is ~59 km² — about a tenth of Seoul’s 605 km²; Gangnam district alone (~40 km²) is two-thirds of Manhattan | 09-18 |
| Seoul Capital Area composition — The ~26M metro figure combines Seoul (~9.4M), Gyeonggi Province (~13.6M), and Incheon (~3.0M) — Gyeonggi alone has more people than NYC’s city and most US metro | 09-18 |
| NYC total area vs land area — NYC’s total area including water is ~1,213 km², but land is ~778 km²; comparing land-to-land, NYC is still ~28% larger than Seoul’s 605.2 km² | 09-18 |
| Seoul metro land area vs NYC metro — The New York metropolitan statistical area spans ~34,000 km² while the Seoul Capital Area is roughly 11,700 km² — NYC’s metro sprawl is about 3x larger in land | 09-18 |
| Global metro population ranking — The Seoul Capital Area (~26M) is typically ranked among the world’s top 3–5 largest metro areas; the New York metro (~20M) usually ranks in the top 10 — Tokyo ( | 09-18 |
| Administrative district counts — Seoul is divided into 25 gu (districts); NYC into 5 boroughs — a Seoul ‘district-per-day’ itinerary has roughly 5x more self-contained neighborhoods to work thr | 09-18 |
| Manhattan vs Gangnam scale check — Manhattan (~59 km², ~1.6M residents) is about one-tenth of Seoul’s area; Gangnam-gu alone (~40 km², ~520,000 residents) is nearly two-thirds of Manhattan’s land | 09-18 |
| KTX Seoul–Busan time and fare — KTX from Seoul Station to Busan takes about 2 hours 40 minutes; the one-way standard fare is around 59,800 KRW — a same-day round trip is possible but consumes | 09-18 |
| Why area vs population answer differs — Seoul’s city boundary is drawn tight — Korea splits metro growth into separate cities (Incheon, Seongnam, Suwon), while NYC’s five boroughs absorb what would be | 09-18 |
| Density comparison practical effect — Seoul’s ~16,000 people per km² vs NYC’s ~11,300 means attractions in Seoul sit closer together — Seoul Tower, palaces, and shopping districts cluster within a 3 | 09-18 |
| Incheon role in metro figure — Incheon (~3.0M) is a separate city but counted in the Seoul Capital Area; its own airport (ICN) is most international travelers’ entry point | 09-18 |
| Gyeonggi Province day-trip options — Satellite cities inside the ~26M metro (Suwon, Goyang, Yongin) are reachable in under 1 hour by subway — usable as day trips from a Seoul base | 09-18 |
| NYC borough comparison — Brooklyn (~2.6M) and Queens (~2.3M) each hold more residents than most Seoul gu; only queens-scale districts like Songpa (~660k) approach a borough’s population | 09-18 |
| Transit cost comparison — Seoul subway base fare is 1,400-1,500 KRW per ride (T-money); NYC subway base fare is $2.90 (MTA, 2025-2026 rates) | 09-18 |
FAQ
Is Seoul bigger than New York?
By population yes — about 9.4M vs 8.3M inside city limits. By land area no — NYC is about 778 km² of land versus Seoul’s 605.2 km². →
Is Seoul one of the biggest cities in the world?
The Seoul Capital Area (~26M people) is typically ranked among the world’s top 3 metro areas. Seoul is not #1 by city-proper population or by land area. →
Is Seoul the biggest city in the world?
No. Tokyo (~37M) outranks it on metro population, and Seoul does not lead on city-proper population or area either. →
Which is bigger, Seoul or NYC metro?
The Seoul metro is bigger: about 26 million (Seoul + Gyeonggi + Incheon) versus about 20 million for the New York metro under the MSA definition. →
How long is KTX from Seoul to Busan?
About 2 hours 40 minutes each way from Seoul Station. A round trip consumes 5–6 hours in transit, so it is better as an overnight. →
How much is a 28-item Chuseok basket at a Seoul traditional market in 2026?
352,553 KRW at traditional markets in the September 16, 2026 survey — 79,509 KRW cheaper than large marts. →
How much cheaper are vegetables and seafood at Seoul traditional markets vs marts?
Vegetables were 52.7% and seafood 32.2% cheaper at markets in the same survey; meat was 16.9% cheaper. →
Which items are cheaper at large marts or online in Seoul?
Processed goods — rice, frying mix, crab sticks, dasik, cheongju, sikhye — were cheaper at marts. April 2026 official data shows Icheon 4kg rice at 25,147 KRW at marts vs 31,053 KRW at markets. →
Which Seoul traditional market should a visitor pick — Gwangjang, Namdaemun, or Mangwon?
Gwangjang for food-focused eating, Namdaemun for shopping plus food, Mangwon for a local neighborhood feel. →
What street food costs at Gwangjang and Mangwon markets?
Listed guides put Gwangjang staples at 5,000 KRW for bindaetteok and 15,000–20,000 KRW for yukhoe, and Mangwon snacks from 500 KRW for gimmari — treat these as indicative, not confirmed current. →
How much is the ITX-Chungcheong from Seoul to Chuncheon?
The ITX-Chungcheong from Yongsan to Chuncheon is ₩9,800 one way and takes about 1 hour, per the 2026 train guide; re-check the fare on the Korail official page before booking. →
Is Gapyeong or Chuncheon better for a day trip without a car?
Chuncheon. The ITX gets you there in about 1 hour, and the dakgalbi alley is walkable from Chuncheon or Namchuncheon station. Gapyeong’s sights need a car or a local bus loop to connect. →
Updated: 2026-09-18