Sh!t Happens: Korean Bathroom Survival Guide

Not exactly the kind of thing you remember to study up on before your trip… but maybe you should?

💬 The Story That Inspired This Guide

One night at a small local KBBQ restaurant, I went to the bathroom, thought I locked the door, and (right as I was pulling my pants up) an Ajumma walked in.

She muttered something, shuffled out, and I definitely got a few side-eyes from her table afterward lol. Safe to say… always triple-check the lock.

Now, here’s what you should know besides locking the door:

Stall Lights

If the light inside the stall is off, don’t panic. Once you lock the door, it usually turns on automatically to save electricity. Kind of a fun surprise, honestly.

Where You’ll Find Bathrooms

Way more places than you'd expect have public bathrooms. Think cafés, parks, even department stores. And if it looks like there’s only one stall from the outside, it’s often a whole bathroom setup inside (although I'd knock to double check haha).

Most subway stations, especially in Seoul, have bathrooms (sometimes a little hidden), and they’re free and generally clean. Also an incredible place for mirror selfies, always.

Western vs. Squat Toilets

In older or more local spots, you might still run into squat toilets.

If you’re holding out for a western one, you might have to wait a bit, especially at busy stations or smaller venues, but I never found myself in a situation where there wasn't one there.

The TP & Supply Situation

In some places, the plumbing can’t handle toilet paper... so you’ll see a trash bin in the stall instead. It’s not as gross as it sounds, and it’s rare in central Seoul. But still… good to know before you flush!

On top of that, some bathrooms don’t have soap, and in nightlife areas like clubs and bars, TP might be communal (or completely missing). Carry tissues, hand sanitizer, and maybe even a small pack of wet wipes just in case.

Privacy Concerns

If you spot a tiny hole in the stall wall or door and it’s filled with tissue or covered with a sticker, that’s on purpose. Those little gaps were originally for ventilation or maintenance (I think?), but after some unsettling hidden camera incidents in recent years, covering them is the norm. Not exactly the bathroom fun fact you wanted, but an important one.

Until the next one,

Ashley 💌