1. The first thing that struck me was the overall cleanliness of the city. Of course, there are always going to be exceptions but on an average the city was cleaner than most if not all American and European cities that I had been to. I could only think of Tokyo being better.

2. There is a lot to be said about stereotypes that Koreans cares a lot about their appearance. The sheer number of cosmetic stores per capita for both genders provides strong supporting evidence to that stereotype. Every third shop in the touristy Myeong-dong shopping street is about cosmetics, skin improving face masks are especially popular. Koreans also seem to dress very well. Their style is almost European but with Asian twists, expect lots of black and grey. I felt very under-dressed in almost every occasion. I saw many high end brands like Gucci, Prada enforcing staggered entry over the weekends to manage the demand. Such is the need to standout.

3. The Korean economy is dominated by the Chaebols – large conglomerates owned and managed by powerful family groups. Samsung, Hyundai, LG, SK, Hanjin and Lotte being the heavy hitters.Their interests are very diverse – construction, shipping, manufacturing, technology, entertainment and even shopping malls. There is a a historical reason as to how the state built up these private entities with cheap loans and granted monopolies in strategic areas to grow and boost the economy after the war with Japan. It is inspiring to see how much they pulled their economy forward within a couple of generations from virtually nothing. However, these conglomerates are more powerful than ever today and have an out sized influence over the government due to their size and output. But for an average Korean, getting a job at one of these conglomerates is a guarantee to climb the economic and social ladder.

4. Seoul has some historical monuments – the 5 palaces. It is sad that almost all of them were ransacked by Japanese invasions and were either completely rebuilt or restored extensively. I thought the Gyeongbokgung was a shell of its glorious past  but I enjoyed Changdeokgung and the adjacent Changgyeonggung palace much more. The Huwon garden in Changdeokgung is also popular and requires special reservation.The Bukchon village was a pleasant surprise, walking through the winding narrow lanes and absorbing the traditional architecture was one of he nicest memories from my whole trip.

5. Korean food is much more than Kimchi stews and BBQ. In fact, BBQ is special occasion food. Regular daily meals are very healthy and are typically composed of a meat based soup/stew accompanied by an assortment of fresh or lightly cooked seasonal vegetables.The dessert menu does not exist but is replaced by coffee. The Street scene is very vibrant. Tteokbokki (Rice cakes in spicy sauce), Kimbap(Rice Rolls), Hotteok(Sweet Pancakes), Gyeran-ppang (Egg Bread), Bindae-tteok(Mung Bean Pancakes) are all wildly popular. Walk along Insa-dong, Myeong-dong or visit the Gwangjang Market to try these.  Also, there is an abundance of bakeries and cafes with Instagram friendly interiors.

6. Apparently, anything from Jeju island is a kind of quality stamp. Everything from green tea to water is better if it comes from there. There is also this obsession with banana milk and weird cola drinks – milkis (milk flavored cola) and mccol (barley soda). Banana milk is traditionally a post sauna treat, it tastes good but very sweet. On the other hand, I couldn’t get through the sodas.

7. Beware of social drinking practices in Korea, it is customary to pour soju shots for friends or colleagues. Koreans have built up a rather large tolerance to this high ABV spirit and you will not be able to out drink them. Same can also be said about Karaoke, another popular social activity and is considered a national past time.

(Bonus)

Like Japan, smart toilets with bidets are standard in most workplaces and hotels. Your derrière will experience unparalleled luxury.