Your Ultimate Guide to Surviving (and Enjoying) Winter in Korea! [From Food to Clothing, We Have You Covered!]

 We have the essential packing lists, must-try hot street foods, and tips for staying warm during the coldest months in South Korea. The Dojeon Media Team has you covered!

Image: Seoul during Winter - Photo: 10mag.com

Winter in Korea is notoriously cold, and although shops like Diaso sell hand packs and thermals for very affordable prices, are they enough to keep you from freezing? In this article, we will focus on how to stay warm this winter!

Clothing & Layering Essentials

Korea is cold during winter, and no matter how many layers you wear, you will still feel it! Therefore, layering is non-negotiable if you want to survive Korean winters.

The key here is to start with base thermals and layer from there. Long padding (long-padded jackets) is also highly recommended by us, as this ankle-length padding will shield you from top to bottom and really help you brave strong winds. Wearing a hat and gloves adds heat security, we know from experience.

Heating and Home Comfort

This is the most important thing to survive winter! Most Korean houses have an underfloor heating system called 'ondol', which will heat you from the bottom up and at the same time provide a cozy winter feel.

Another hack to stay warm and cozy at home is to consider buying an electric blanket. Lewis Hooper from the Dojeon team has used one in the UK in the past and said that it was a lifesaver, especially if you are prone to having a damp room.

A lot of older Korean homes also tend to use bubble wrap on their windows to prevent drafts from coming in, and at the same time, it is an inexpensive solution to try and keep your house warm.

Food for Warmth

Food is another great idea if you want to keep warm during the winter, and Korea has some amazing winter foods!

Some of the traditional warm foods are literally a lifesaver, and for the most part, they are cheap and can be found on most streets. Dishes like Kimchi Jjigae or Sundubu Jjigae are spicy and served boiling, providing immediate internal warmth.

On the corner of most streets, you can find vendors selling treats like Hotteok (sweet sugar pancakes) or Odeng (fish cake skewers in broth) to enjoy while walking, and these are popular with locals and tourists alike.

One of Lewis Hooper's favorites is Yuja-cha ( a citron tea) or Saenggang-cha (ginger tea), which are popular Korean winter remedies to help prevent colds and warm your insides. These remedies are the perfect mix to fight off colds and at the same time they both taste great!

Final thoughts

Korean winters are amazing with the blue skies and endless winter activities; however, they are brutally cold and long. Hand packs are a Dojeon go-to for staying warm, while at the same time drinking hot tea while roaming the beautiful streets of Korea. Our favorite go-to dish is Kimchi jjigae, a must-try on your Korean adventure this winter!

How do you prepare for winter in Korea? Comment below and let the Dojeon Media Team know!

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