Try getting to Bunchon which is an area near to Gyeongbokgung towards the north-east. It's a hilly terrain with old style traditional Korean houses, 70s shops, mom-and-pop shops, groceries, little coffee or waffle shops.

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Added on June 27, 2011, 1:19 amSocket is 2 circular pin, put normally it won't hold in place if your appliance socket head (the plastic cover of the 2 pins) has a different size. Korean appliances head (and the part where the wiring goes out at a diagonal angle) will fit in nicely and thus "lock-in". So bring a rubber band to secure it!

The voltage is the same as Malaysia 200-220.

As a rule of thumb, only USA and Japan uses 110V and thus needs a voltage transformer. (and perhaps in China)

This post has been edited by denzuke76: Jun 27 2011, 01:19 AM

Check your budget allocation e.g. 50 000 Won per day x how many days (e.g. 5) = 50K x 5 = 250 K Won
Change that amount.
Then instead of changing the extras to USD, change to Australian Dollars. USD is going down daily. Assuming you have a chance of visiting Australia, you can use it. All major currencies are safe to keep and Korea exchanges are happy to accept them not just USD. With MYR, because of the capital control measures placed in 1998, it is not widely accepted.

Other currencies you can change into:
NZD, CAD, Euro, Singapore dollar - change into the one you're likely to visit

As for rice, you don't need to bring rice cooker.
In the convenience store, there is rice sold on little cute boxes. Rice is pre-cooked. Just heat up in the microwave there. Also they have Nong Shim noodles everywhere. Bakeries. Kimchi in little sealed bag (1000 Won only). You won't die of hunger. It's not NK. It's SK!

A good food to try is kimbap. Also sold in convenience store for you/ but best is if you can head to the kimbap shop, called "Kimbap Nara" and Kimbap Chiggae.

Vending machine coffee is 400 Won! Starbucks, Lotte Coffee in a nice cup just 2000 Won or 2500 Won. Well think in won-to-ringgit, it's relatively cheap. So 40 sen for coffee. 2 RM for Starbucks. 4.5 ringgit for set meals! 90 sen for unlimited train ride. 1 RM for 275 ml milk, Ghana Choco milk!

Entrance to disco/pub 5 RM. Rice wine 2 RM for big bottle (cheaper than water!)
And most restaurants and eateries will give you water.

Their phone system is not GSM. And heard phones are available for rent for 2000 Won per day. If you do rent, hope you can write some info for others to read. Where, how, etc.

Hi shazwina, you speak great korean. Wanting to learn or practise together? I have the Lonely Planet Korean language book.

Forex: guess I just round up to 3.00 RM per 1000 Won so basically 1 USD for 1000 Won. When buying stuff, it's easier to do quick calculations. Like MRT (1000 Won) so 3 RM. Food 2000 Won = 6 RM. Club entrance 5000 Won 15 RM. Restaurant with many plates of kimchi dishes, 7000 Won so 21 RM.

Rain: Korean Rain hah (Rainism!)! Tip is go to Daiso, buy their 5 RM raincoat or poncho. It is lightweight. Get a pair of "Fipper" it is lightweight and can bring it around. Bring large well good quality plastic bags to sort your clothes in your luggage plus it gives double protection whenever some rain hits your luggage.

Kimchi: it's basically fermented cabbages, chilli, so google it. The only tinge of non-vege is perhaps some fish sauce for some certain types of kimchi.

Local Fast Food: there is a local McDonald lookalike. Kimchi burger anyone? I haven't tried cos busy with Korean food. But the prices are low. In general, food prices are 5000-15000 Won (5-15 USD). Small food from convenience store (boxed rice meal) could be had for 2500 Won.

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Added on June 29, 2011, 12:12 amIt's not conversion.

It's about relative cost with respect to average wages. For instance an average salary of SGD 2000 (Singapore). Relative cost of transport in SG is 1.50 per trip. Food can be had for 2.50 (noodles) to 4.50.



This post has been edited by denzuke76: Jun 29 2011, 12:12 AM

Korea Tourism this year is giving free long distance coach ride to a few cities outside of Seoul.

http://denzukefinance.blogspot.com/2011/06...o-gyeongju.html