Delivery and shopping apps
Most everyday convenience in Korea lives inside apps. Once identity verification passes, the rest is easy.
Typical cost: Free apart from what you spend · Time needed: 10-20 minutes per app
Steps
- Prepare identity verification — Most apps need a Korean number plus a Korean card or account. Some also ask for ARC details.
- Install the essentials — Baemin and Coupang Eats for food, Coupang for shopping, Kakao T for taxis, Naver Map or KakaoMap for directions, KakaoTalk for messaging.
- Enter your address precisely — Korea uses road-name addresses. Include the building name, floor and unit to avoid failed deliveries.
- Register a payment method — Foreign cards are sometimes declined, so a Korean debit card is safer.
What to bring
- Korean phone number
- Korean account or debit card
- Road-name address
Good to know
- English support is improving, but restaurant menus are often Korean only. Keep a translation app handy.
- Coupang Rocket Delivery arrives overnight and saves a lot of grocery time.
Visa, tax and legal rules change often. This page is general information — always confirm with the official bodies linked above.