Daily Life
Housing
Heating and Electricity
The floors in most residential housing are also heated through the use of 'On-dol', a Korean heating system. Each housing unit has an individual boiler that heats the floor and the water. Electricity voltage is 220V-compatible. If you have 100V electronic appliances, voltage transformers can be purchased at discount stores or at nearby neighborhood stores.
Water
Korean tap water is safe for drinking and cooking. Bottled water is widely available as well.
Washer and Dryer
Washers are available in many homes. Some washers have dryer features along with them. Most Koreans hang their clothes to dry. Drying racks can easily be purchased at discount stores or at neighborhood marts.
Residential Types
- One Room
Residence culture is changing in Korea. A common type of residence is one room designed for single people. One room includes facilities such as eating, sleeping and cooking facilities. There are two types of payments for one room, one is the lease of a room on a deposit basis and the other is monthly rental plus deposit.
- Officetel and Apartment, Accommodation Unit
There are different places to rent while staying in Korea. It includes Officetel, apartment, and a house good for one person only. You can rent a house with one room which is good for one person or a house with several rooms which are good for several people In Korea, there are no special restrictions or conditions in renting a room or a house.
However, because of the deposit that should be returned to you after your contract has been expired, you should go to a district office to make a contract lease or rental. You should wait for the approval of the contract because it would serve as your protection when legal problems arise.
Kinds of Lease
- Deposit
A big amount of deposit is given to a house owner once except tax. The general condition for a 2-year contract is, after the expiration of the contract, a leaser can receive his deposit.
- Monthly rental
A type of payment where in a deposit is given to the house owner and pay the room or house rental every month. Usually this type of payment is suitable for one room, room good for one person only and for people who move frequently.
- Food
Korean food is probably best known for kimchi 김치, which uses a distinctive fermentation process of preserving vegetables. Chili peppers are also commonly used, often as chili powder, earning the cuisine a reputation for being spicy. Bulgogi 불고기, (roasted marinated beef, chicken, or pork), galbi 갈비 (ribs), and samgyeopsal 삼겹살 (plain roasted pork) are popular meat entrees. Korean meals are usually accompanied by a soup or stew, often made with doenjang 된장 (fermented bean paste). Popular dishes are bibimbap 비빔밥 (mixed rice), naengmyeon 냉면 (cold noodles), galbitang 갈비탕 (stewed ribs, and doenjang jjigae 된장 찌개 (fermented bean paste stew).
kimchisamgyeopsaldoenjang jjigae
Fusion food is also rapidly becoming popular. There are many Chinese, Italian, French, and Indian fusion restaurants all over South Korea. Vegetarian restaurants, which were sidelined with the decline of Buddhism and advance of missionary Christianity, have had a small resurgence, and can usually be found in every city.
