Winters in Korea are no joke—they’re extremely cold, windy, and dry. But the good news? Korea has its own winter culture, habits, and essentials that make everything warmer and easier.
Here’s a complete survival guide, including Korean terms and how to pronounce them:
1. 롱패딩 (rong-pae-ding) – Long Padding
The moment winter arrives, Korea turns into a sea of identical long black padded coats.
It’s basically a wearable sleeping bag that reaches your knees or ankles. Everyone wears them—students, workers, idols.
Once you wear one, everything else will feel too thin.
2. 방한 부츠 (bang-han bu-cheu) – Snow Boots
방한 (bang-han) means ‘cold-proof’.
When the snow melts and refreezes at night, the ground becomes glassy. Normal shoes slip easily on snowy or icy roads. Your toes freeze first, and regular sneakers don’t help.
Snow boots keep your feet warm and provide proper grip.
3. 핫팩 (hat-paek) – Hot Packs
The cheapest and most magical winter item in Korea.
Hot packs are small pouches you shake to activate, and they stay warm for hours. They’re sold everywhere—from convenience stores and Daiso to pharmacies and vending machines near bus stops.
Pop one into your gloves or coat pocket, and you’re set.
4. 온돌 (on-dol) – Floor Heating
온돌 (on-dol) literally meaning ‘Warm stones’.
It’s Korea’s traditional floor-heating system, where heat warms the floor instead of the air, making the entire room naturally cozy.
Although it is an ancient system, it has evolved from simple hearths to sophisticated systems, now often adapted with modern pipes and boilers, all while retaining the same core principle.
5. 찜질방 (jjim-jil-bang) – Korean Sauna
On days when the cold becomes too much, Koreans go to 찜질방 (jjim-jil-bang).
It is a large, 24/7 Korean public bathhouse and sauna complex that combines traditional hot tubs and steam rooms with various mineral saunas (like salt, clay, and jade), along with communal relaxation zones for sleeping, eating snacks (like grilled eggs and sikhye), watching TV, and socializing—serving as a cultural hub for all ages.
You can nap, relax, detox, or simply warm up for hours.
BONUS HONOURS: 아아 (ah-ah) – Ice Americano
Because despite the freezing temperatures, Koreans will still drink iced Americanos in −10°C like it’s nothing.
Every café will be full of people in giant padded coats… saying
“아아 하나 주세요.”
(ah-ah ha-na ju-se-yo) = “One iced americano, please.”
Sipping ice-cold coffee with frozen fingers.
It’s practically a cultural identity at this point.
Korean winters may be freezing, but they come with their own charm. With these essentials, you won’t just survive winter in Korea—you’ll experience it the way locals do.
So layer up, stay warm, and embrace the season the Korean way!
Written by : Isha Arya
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