4 Things That Surprised Me About Korean Public Restrooms: Even Bidets and Toilet Paper?

A Real Experience of Korean Toilet Culture That Shocked Foreigners

Real experience of Korean toilet culture: Why were foreigners surprised?
If you're a foreigner visiting Korea for the first time, you'll experience moments of surprise more than a few times. But among them, the most unexpected shock is... the public restroom.

“Huh? It's free? , There's a bidet installed? , There's even toilet paper provided!?”

Korean toilet culture is not simply clean and pretty. Bidet use is a basic, free toilet paper, most public places are free to use, and boast an amazing level of cleanliness nationwide. This is not just a convenience facility, but a cultural symbol that reveals the living standards and public consciousness of Koreans.

In many countries, such as Europe and the United States, toilets are often paid or you have to bring your own toilet paper, or are recognized as a ‘place you don't want to go’. That's why when foreigners come into contact with Korean public toilet culture, they say:

“Is this really free? I can't believe it!”

In this article, I experienced it myself.

✔ How to use Korean public toilets for free

✔ How to use a bidet and episodes experienced by foreigners

✔ Toilet paper provision culture and etiquette

✔ And how clean the Korean toilet is, etc.  

Keywords that foreigners often search for:

I'll give you a real review that I directly saw, felt, and compared, focusing on “Korean toilet bidet”, “Korean toilet free”, and “Korean toilet culture difference”.

If you're a foreign traveler, you should know the Korean toilet usage and cultural differences. And why Korean toilets are called the best in the world, let's find out now.

1. Korean Public Toilets, Why Are They Free?

On my first day in Korea, I was walking in the park when I suddenly needed to use the toilet. I looked for a nearby building... Surprisingly, the public toilet was free. I didn't need to take out a coin, I just opened the door and went in.
In Europe and the United States, public toilets are mostly paid. You have to pay about 1 euro or 1 dollar, or you can only use the toilet if you use a cafe. So, Korea's free toilet system is quite a shock to foreigners.

Why are public toilets free in Korea?
That's because of the view of the toilet as a “basic right of the public”. Local governments and the government manage it and open it up for citizens to use unconditionally. Most toilets in Seoul, Busan, and Jeju are open 24 hours a day, and you can easily find them in subway stations, parks, markets, and tourist attractions.
And what's more surprising—it's clean and neat even though it's free. It's not just a free service, but it makes you feel like a respected user.

2. There's Toilet Paper! And Always

When I first went into a Korean toilet, a foreign friend said, looking at the generous roll of toilet paper attached to the wall.
“Is this really free? Can I use it too?”
Most Korean toilets provide toilet paper. If you've had to bring your own toilet paper in Europe, this is really touching.
Toilet paper is usually placed near the entrance, inside the stalls, and near the sink, and sometimes you have to take it in advance outside the stalls. The larger the public place, such as subway stations, department stores, and express bus terminals, the higher the probability that toilet paper is neatly prepared.
Of course, in rare cases, there may be no toilet paper, so Koreans also tend to carry a small piece of tissue or tissue in their bags. But basically, Korea is “It is natural to provide toilet paper”has a strong recognition.
Free, clean, and even toilet paper. Isn't this like a small service space rather than a ‘public toilet’?

3. Toilets with bidets, foreigners are bewildered

“Why are there so many buttons? What is this?”

I still remember the moment when a foreign friend was standing in front of the bidet in a hotel toilet and was bewildered.
In Korea, you can often see public toilets with bidets installed. In airports, department stores, hotels, and even some subway station toilets. Adjusting the water flow, drying function, and direction setting, it feels like a ‘small spaceship’ to the first-time user.
The bidet is a device that shows the characteristics of Koreans, who value cleanliness and hygiene. Especially in the summer, it is very useful for those who are sensitive to hygiene.

How to use the bidet is also simple.
1. After sitting down
2. Press the desired button among the washing/bidet buttons
3. End button or automatic

The end button has an icon and letters together, and there are many designs that can be used intuitively even if you don't know Korean.
At first, it's unfamiliar, but once you use it,
“It's hard to go back to only toilet paper” has many reviews from foreigners.

4. Cleanliness and Design: Is the toilet this good?

Korean toilets are not just dirty. Some places are decorated with designs like a hotel lobby.
The toilets in department stores and franchise cafes have soft lighting, fragrant diffusers, and even high-end sinks and interiors, so it feels like a photo zone rather than a toilet.
Toilets in public places are no exception. Regular cleaning cycles, CCTV management, emergency bells, etc. are equipped with a safe and hygienic system, so you don't feel uneasy even if you use it alone late at night.
Thanks to these luxurious facilities and thorough management systems, many foreigners say, “Korean public toilets are a space you can trust and enter”they say.

Especially if public toilets were a place to avoid in the US and Europe, Korea, on the contrary, a space you want to enterbecomes.

Toilet Etiquette and Implicit Rules

There are subtle manners and rules in Korean toilet culture. And if you follow them well, you can be seen as ‘a considerate foreigner’among Koreans.

For example
• Stand in line quietly
• No phone calls in the toilet
• Wipe the water after using the sink
• Wipe the water stream after using the bidet (in public places)
Also, it is good manners not to use the women's toilets or the toilets for the disabled unless they are designated people.
I could feel that these small considerations are maintaining this amazing toilet culture.

Practical Tips & Recommended Places for Foreigners

✔ Where can you find it?
• Subway stations, large supermarkets, department stores, express bus terminals, airports, public libraries, city halls, and district offices
• In Korea, most cafes and restaurants have toilets and are available for free
✔ How to find it?
• Search for ‘toilet’ on Kakao Map / Naver Map app
• Recommend search terms: ‘public toilet’ / ‘restroom’ / ‘find a toilet’
✔ What to prepare
• Personal tissue (in case of emergency)
• Translation app (If the bidet buttons are in Korean)
• Wet wipes or hand sanitizer (no soap in some places)
✔ Places to avoid?
• In the case of old, small restaurants, the toilets may be narrow or not well-managed. If possible, use the large buildings or public institutions.

“Culture is seen even in one toilet”

I've been to various places while traveling, but there are few spaces as shocking and impressive as Korean public toilets. It's free to use, of course, a bidet is standard, generous toilet paper is provided, and above all, unbelievable cleanliness.
At first, I thought, “Is this really free?”, but as time went by, it was naturally accepted as if all of this was natural, and now I think I'll miss this environment in other countries.

In Korea, public toilets are not just convenience facilities, but a cultural space that reflects the public's awareness, technology, and the quality of public service. It is surprising for foreigners, but within it, you can feel the order and consideration of Koreans, and the delicate efforts of the government and local governments.

Let's summarize the key points covered in this article:

• Free use of Korean toilets is considered a public right
• Providing Korean toilet paper is a culture of basic consideration
• Korean toilet bidets are symbols of hygiene and convenience
• Korean toilet culture difference is a big cultural shock to foreigners
• Korean toilet cleanliness is the world's best
• Korean toilet etiquette is also a point not to be missed
• Korean toilet usage, tips, and recommended places for foreigners

Now you will hardly have any inconveniences because of the toilet while traveling in Korea.

Rather, after leaving Korea“Korea is missed even with just one toilet”You may also agree with the saying.

If someone is preparing to travel to Korea, please let them know.
“In Korea, the toilet is also a travel destination.”

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