There are so many apps but which ones are the most useful for transitioning to life in South Korea? These are my top 5 apps that I have used almost daily when living in Korea! I will be focusing on apps that cater to English speakers and are free!
Papago is essentially an improved version of Google Translate. Similar to Google translate, this app allows you to translate text and whole conversations over a microphone. The most useful function for me has been the Camera translater which translates the text in any pictures you take. I use this function all the time to order food, and it has truly saved my life!
Papago is more widely used by most of my friends in Korea since it is considered more accurate and adjusts to the normal conversational flow.
Shuttle is a food delivery app that is accommodating towards English speakers and does not require a Korean Bank account. On the downside, it has limited food options that I will elaborate on:
PRO’s
- Delivers meals to your door
- Easy for English speakers to use
- Does not require a ARC number, permanent residency, or Korean Bank Account
- Has a variety of options that include vegetarian and Western
- You can pay with foreign credit card
CON’s
- Food options are often limited in rural areas or during inclement weather
- More expensive than other apps
- Does not allow you to buy groceries like SSG or Gmart
- Delivery is often not available very late or very early hours
While this app is not the best, it was the easiest for me to use during my 2 week quarantine when I was sick of rice on rice on rice!
KakaoTalk is a messaging app that is one of the biggest platforms for communication in South Korea. Similar to apps like Groupme, this app is often used in the workplace and among people who do not have a Korean phone plan. You can create group chats, send pictures, and connect with people while maintaining your privacy.
Kakao Corporation also has a bit of a cult following, and even has stores where they sell their own merch!
4. Kakao Map and Google Maps
If you do not speak Korean it can be very difficult to navigate the street signs, making mapping apps essential! I often use a combination of Kakao Map and Google Map.
Kakao Map is great in that it is very detailed, and will show specific landmarks and stores that make it easy to get around. Kakao also does a great job of identifying places that you are searching for in Enlgish. For instance, I can type out “dentist” in English, and Kakao maps will help me find some in the area.
Google Maps is nowhere near as detailed but I have found that it is useful for GPS tracking. For instance, if I am walking somewhere it will track me in real-time and allow me to see where I am at a given moment. I find this is super helpful to check my progress while hiking or let me know how far away I am from my destination!
This app is pretty straightforward- a subway guide for South Korea! Subway Korea will allow you to see all the subway lines’ color-coordinated mess. You can check on certain stations, plan routes, and look at the subway in real-time. This app can be a lifesaver since public transit can be a bit tricky if you don’t know the language.
This list is not exhaustive and I am sure there are many more great apps! I have just found these to be the ones that I have used the most my first couple of weeks in Korea. If you have any recommendations feel free to comment, I would love some feedback!
Hello! I am a expat from the US living in South Korea to teach for a year. While I have traveled quite a bit in the past this will be the first time I live abroad for a an extended amount of time so I decided to document it! Through my blog I hope to share my personal experiences as well as helpful tips/information. I hope to cover topics such as Hiking, Food, and what it is like to live in Korea during Covid-19!
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