How to dress appropriately for temples and restaurants in South Korea
Dress conservatively by covering your shoulders and knees to show respect in temples. For restaurants, avoid overly athletic or beach-ready gear, and be prepared to slip your shoes on and off easily, as many traditional establishments require you to remove them at the entrance.
- Prioritize slip-on footwear. You will be removing your shoes at every temple entrance and many traditional sit-down restaurants. Wear comfortable sneakers or loafers that are easy to slide on and off; avoid lace-up boots that take two minutes to tie.
- Cover your shoulders and knees. When visiting temples, keep your shoulders covered and avoid short-shorts or skirts above the knee. A light linen shirt or a cardigan kept in your bag works perfectly to layer over tank tops when you arrive.
- Check your socks. Since you will be walking around temples and traditional restaurants in your socks, ensure they are clean and free of holes. It is a sign of respect, and you will feel embarrassed if you have to walk around with visible rips in your footwear.
- Dress 'neat casual' for dining. South Koreans generally dress well in public. While casual is fine, avoid wearing gym shorts, tank tops, or dirty hiking gear to dinner. A collared shirt for men or a simple blouse/dress for women is standard for most nice restaurant settings.
- Can I wear leggings to a temple?
- Leggings are generally acceptable if they are opaque and worn under a longer shirt or tunic that covers your hips. If they are very tight, consider wearing a light wrap skirt over them.
- What happens if I forget to wear socks?
- You will be walking barefoot on wooden temple floors or restaurant mats. While not strictly forbidden, it is considered impolite. Keep a spare pair of clean socks in your day bag.