Are you struggling to find business hours in Korea? Maybe you struggle with the language barrier or you can’t find the business listing on Google. There are some things you need to know to help with the frustration.
The Struggle to Find Business Information
Finding business hours in South Korea can be surprisingly tricky. Websites like Google Maps and VisitKorea might seem the obvious choice since they are what we find when we search in English. However, such sites often have inaccurate, outdated, missing, or confusing information. This may lead to frustration and culture shock for international residents who feel trapped by the language and culture barrier.
The reality is that South Korea’s digital ecosystem is dominated by Naver, Kakao, and Instagram. This means that businesses are more likely to update their hours on Korean apps and social media platforms rather than on Google Maps or tourist platforms managed by government agencies.
This blog post exists as a guide to overcoming such hurdles and empowering you to meet your own needs more efficiently. From finding accurate business hours to finding out breaktimes, this information gives you increased access to specifics even if you don’t speak Korean. We will walk you through the tools available, how to use them, and some issues to look out for. Let’s go!
Why Google Maps Isn’t Reliable in Korea
Google Search and Google Maps are not the best choice in Korea for a few reasons:
- Incomplete Information: Korean businesses often do not update their business hours on Google Maps because most Koreans use Naver or Kakao for local searches.
- Mapping Restrictions: Due to South Korean national security laws, Google does not have full access to mapping data, which affects the accuracy of location-based information.
- Delayed Updates: Even when business hours are listed, they are sometimes outdated or inconsistent with reality.
Since Google Maps isn’t widely used by locals, businesses may not feel the need to maintain updated profiles there — which is why you should rely on Korean-based resources instead.
Use Naver Maps or Kakao Maps
You can survive in South Korea using Google Maps (Waze is owned by Google and doesn’t work well in Korea either), but your life may feel frustrating and hard. Additionally, you will not have access to a large amount of information. It’s best to download Naver or Kakao maps and start using them as soon as possible.
Naver Maps (https://map.naver.com)
Naver is the most widely used search engine and mapping platform in Korea. Most businesses update their hours directly on Naver, making it the most reliable source of information.
- English language interface available.
- Search for the business name in English or Korean.
- Check the 영업시간 (business hours) section under the business listing.
- Naver Maps also shows user reviews and recent photos, which can give you an idea of how busy the business might be.
- If you can’t find the business in English, try using Papago or Google Translate to convert the business name into Korean for a better search result. However, sometimes even this doesn’t work. We recommend reading this article to learn more about the struggles with the English language Naver.
- Real-time traffic and road updates, which are useful if you’re planning to visit a business during peak hours.
Kakao Maps (https://map.kakao.com)
Kakao Maps is another highly used local mapping platform. While Naver is more popular, Kakao sometimes lists businesses that don’t appear on Naver. The process is similar to Naver:
- English language interface available.
- Type in the business name in Korean or English.
- Look for the 영업시간 (business hours) section.
- Kakao Maps also allows for real-time traffic and road updates.
Issues with Naver Maps and Kakao Maps
While Naver Maps and Kakao Maps are the most accurate sources for business hours in Korea, they come with some challenges — especially for English speakers. These platforms were designed for Korean users, so the user experience and functionality in English are not always intuitive or complete. Take time to Read More about the struggle HERE.
Check Instagram — Especially for New or Trendy Businesses
Instagram is one of the most important platforms for businesses in South Korea. Especially for businesses owned by younger people (under 40) or trendy cafés, restaurants, and boutiques.
- Many businesses only update their hours on Instagram rather than on Naver or Kakao.
- Opening hours may be listed in the bio or in pinned posts or stories.
- You can also check their recent posts or stories for temporary closings or adjusted hours.
Pro Tip: If the Instagram profile is in Korean, use Papago or Google Translate to translate the bio or captions.
How to Search for a Business on Instagram:
- Open Instagram and search the business name in Korean or English.
- If you can’t find the business, try using Papago to translate the business name into Korean.
- Check the profile bio and recent posts for business hours and closing dates.
- If the business doesn’t have a profile, try searching for hashtags related to the business or the neighborhood.
Example: Searching for “Pyeongtaek cafe” → #평택카페
Direct Contact (When in Doubt)
Sometimes, the most reliable way to get accurate business hours is to contact the business directly.
- Phone: Most businesses have a phone number listed on Naver or Kakao.
- Social Media: Korean businesses are often very responsive on Instagram and KakaoTalk.
- Translation Apps: If you don’t speak Korean, use a translation app like Papago or Google Translate to communicate your question.
- Go in Person: Sometimes we will stop by a location so that we can talk to them in person. If you don’t speak Korean, you can use ChatGPT, Papago, or Google Translate to help with communication.
Pro Tip: When calling, say: “영업시간이 어떻게 되나요?” (Yeong-eop sigani eotteoke doenayo?) – “What are your business hours?”
Use 1330 (Korea Travel Hotline) for Assistance
Of course, direct contact might not be possible if you don’t speak Korean. Thankfully, Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) runs a free 24/7 multilingual support service through the 1330 hotline that can help you. You can contact them via call or messaging app:
- Dial 1330 from any smartphone in Korea (or +82-2-1330 from abroad).
- English-speaking operators can look up business information for you and confirm business hours.
- The service is free, and they can also give you directions, information about public transportation, and general travel advice.
Pro Tip: 1330 is useful when businesses don’t have an online presence or when you need immediate confirmation about business hours on a holiday or late at night.
Always Call 1330 for Smaller Cities and Rural Areas
In larger cities like Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, businesses are more likely to update their hours regularly on Naver, Kakao, and Instagram. However, in smaller cities and rural areas, business owners are much less likely to keep their online information up to date — especially for sudden changes like holidays, weather disruptions, or personal closures.
Why Smaller Cities and Rural Businesses Are Harder to Track:
- Limited Online Presence: Many small businesses in rural areas don’t have a website or a social media presence.
- Inconsistent Hours: Smaller businesses, especially family-owned ones, may close early or change hours unexpectedly without updating online listings.
- Less Dependence on Online Platforms: Rural business owners may not see the need to update online hours if most of their customers are local and know the general schedule.
Why Calling 1330 Helps:
- Operators at 1330 can directly contact the business on your behalf. Just make sure to call 1330 during regular business hours in Korea so that it’s easy for them to directly contact the business with questions.
- They can confirm temporary closings, adjusted hours, and even if the business still exists (some smaller businesses close down without notice).
- 1330 is particularly useful when traveling to rural areas for festivals, hiking trips, or visiting countryside restaurants and markets.
Pro Tip: A small mom-and-pop restaurant in the countryside might show that it’s open on Naver, but in reality, it could be closed for a week due to the owner taking a personal vacation. 1330 can call the business and confirm if it’s open before you make the trip.
General Business Hour Trends in Korea
While business hours can vary, here are some general patterns:
- Weekdays: Most businesses open between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM and close between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM.
- Restaurants: Lunch-focused restaurants may close by 3:00 PM and reopen for dinner around 5:00 PM.
- Cafés: Many cafés open later than in Western countries between 10 AM and 11 PM. This is especially true in smaller cities and outside tourist areas. Cafes may close later than cafes in Western countries (between 10:00 PM and midnight).
- Department Stores: Usually open from 10:30 AM to 8:00 PM but may close later on weekends.
- Holidays: Most businesses close during Lunar New Year (설날) and Chuseok (추석), but some major stores and restaurants may remain open.
- Summer Vacations: In rural areas, small businesses may close for 1 or 2 weeks in late July or August.
Best Ways to Find Business Hours
Since reading is hard, here is a table that breaks down the best tools to use for finding business hours and why.
| Method | Effectiveness | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Naver Maps | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (BEST) | Most accurate and up-to-date for business hours in Korea |
| Kakao Maps | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Reliable, but slightly less popular than Naver |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Best) | Critical for new/trendy businesses | |
| 1330 Hotline | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Best) | Useful for real-time help, especially in English |
| Google Maps | ⭐⭐ (Worst) | Information may be outdated or incomplete |
| VisitKorea | ⭐⭐⭐ | Reliable for tourist attractions, less helpful for small businesses |
| Business Website | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Useful for large companies and chains |
What to Remember
- Don’t rely on Google Maps for business hours in Korea.
- Use Naver Maps or Kakao Maps instead — they are the most up-to-date.
- Check Instagram for trendy businesses or small shops, especially those owned by younger people.
- Call 1330 if you need help confirming hours or finding a business.
- When in doubt, direct contact with the business is often the fastest way to confirm hours.
By using these methods, you’ll save yourself the frustration of showing up to a closed business — and navigate Korea like a local!
Founded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences.
