Top 5 Korean Nightlife Activities
Koreans are not only known for their magnificent cuisine; they are also acclaimed for their tremendous work ethic. This does not come as a surprise anymore considering that Seoul is one of the most progressive and dynamic cities in the world. However, this does not mean that passionate and goal-oriented Koreans do not know how to play harder. In fact, you’ll immediately notice when you get to visit Seoul that its night life is not just bustling but also thriving.
Here are the top 5 activities that Koreans do to enjoy their marvelous nights:
1. Night shopping
Nothing beats the feeling of being able to shop until you drop as the cool and crisp evening air touches your skin and you are in the midst of fellow shoppers who are on the hunt for the best shopping and food deals. If night shopping is your cup of tea, then head out to Dongdaemun night market when you are in Seoul. Strolling here at night is just awesome because of the bright lights and live entertainment that you will see. Yellow tents for the open market are also yours to explore as it features a wide array of shopping items of clothes, shoes, leather goods, street food, and almost anything that you can think of in usually discounted prices.
2. Food feasting
Koreans love food so much so this is a already a no-brainer. Spend your weeknights trying out some of the innumerable food spots that make Seoul as one of the food capitals in the world! Korean BBQ is definitely one of the most popular choices, so don’t hesitate to get some grilling action to taste some of the most tender and flavourful galbis and samgyeopsals that you can ever have. Or if you’re feeling tired of going outside, then hosting your own Korean BBQ feast at home is also a great option. Happy friends, amazing merrymaking, and great stories to be exchanged – we are sure that your night will truly be unforgettable.
3. Bar hopping and clubbing
Who says that Koreans don’t know how to party? Seoul actually has some of the biggest and best clubs in the world, so Koreans definitely know to party the night away. Some of the most popular nightlife districts in Seoul with the diverse mix of bars and pubs are Itaewon, Sincheon, Hongdae (hipster district), Apgujeong and Gangnam (there’s a reason why Gangnam Style song/dance craze became such a global hit). Feel free to roam the streets of this district to get to meet new people from all walks of life, locals and foreigners alike. As a tip, most clubs in Seoul start their activity at around 12 midnight!
4. Drinking
Koreans have been reported as one of the biggest consumers of alcohol in the world, so expect a lot of drinking during social gatherings in Seoul! The most famous alcoholic beverage in Korea is soju, a Korean rice liquor that usually has around 20% of alcohol content. Over 60 million cases of sojus are produced in Korea annually, so if that doesn’t solidify the fact that drinking is well integrated in Korean culture, then we don’t know what else will.
5. Singing
Koreans can certainly belt out some great tunes as if the world’s about to end. Karaoke bars, which Koreans refer to as noraebang or song room, have been introduced by the Japanese to Korea in the 1980s and have maintained a popular and wide presence in the country ever since. Indeed, noraebangs are one of the best places to go to after a night of partying and drinking. It also won’t be too difficult to spot a noraebang in Seoul given its ubiquitous flashy neon lights (usually featuring a musical note or microphone symbol). So go ahead and pretend that you’re Britney Spears or Bruno Mars in a noraebang for several nights by singing some of the world’s popular songs with your peers and loved ones!
How about you? How do you spend your night-outs? Do you recognize any similarities or differences when you compare your nightlife activities with what Koreans do? Share them all in the comments section below! And of course, regardless of what your night-out plans are, Korean BBQ Online is here to make your evenings more memorable by supplying you with the highest quality Korean BBQ meats, sides and equipment available. Contact us today so we know how we can help!
