Question 1

What is the "Itaewon Bar Overcharge" scam in Seoul?

Accepted Answer

Bars in Itaewon's tourist district charge tourist-inflated prices for drinks and sometimes add items to the bill not ordered. Some female-staffed bars use the hostess model: friendly attention from staff leads to an enormous bill. Stick to well-reviewed bars. Check prices before ordering and review the bill carefully before paying.

Question 2

What is the "Overpriced Foreigner Restaurants Near Gyeongbokgung" scam in Seoul?

Accepted Answer

Restaurants near major palaces and Insadong display English menus with inflated prices. Some charge double the local rate for identical dishes available cheaply one street over. Use Naver Maps or Kakao Maps (popular with locals) to find restaurants and check prices. Restaurants with Korean-only signage typically have local pricing. Lunch sets (점심 특선) offer the best value at most restaurants.

Restaurant Scams in Seoul

Itaewon Bar Overcharge

Overpriced Foreigner Restaurants Near Gyeongbokgung

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