Can You Drink Tap Water in Korea? What Travelers Should Know About Drinking Water

 

If you are visiting Korea for the first time, you may notice something slightly confusing about drinking water.

Korea's tap water is treated and considered safe to drink, but many Koreans still prefer filtered or bottled water.

So should you drink straight from the tap? Do you need bottled water for brushing your teeth? What kind of water are you being served at restaurants? And is it easy to refill a reusable bottle while traveling?

These are common questions among travelers to Korea.

Here is what you actually need to know.

1. Can you drink tap water in Korea?

Yes. Tap water in Korea is treated as potable water.

You do not need to avoid Korean tap water in the way you might in destinations where travelers are advised not to drink from the tap.

For everyday things such as brushing your teeth, washing your face or rinsing your mouth, there is generally no reason for travelers to use bottled water instead.

You may also drink the tap water directly.

However, there is another part of the story that often confuses visitors.

It is also very common in Korea to drink filtered or bottled water instead of drinking straight from the kitchen tap.

That does not necessarily mean people believe the public water supply is unsafe. Filtered water and bottled water have simply become very common in everyday Korean life.

2. Then why do so many Koreans use water purifiers?

Walk into many Korean homes, offices and other indoor spaces and you may see a water purifier.

These machines commonly provide filtered drinking water, and some models offer cold and hot water as well.

This is one reason a visitor may hear that Korean tap water is safe while also noticing that locals rarely fill a glass directly from the kitchen faucet.

The two things are not necessarily contradictory.

The tap water is treated for drinking, while many people simply prefer the taste or convenience of filtered water.

Concerns about the plumbing inside older buildings can also influence people's preference for filtered or bottled water.

3. Do you need bottled water to brush your teeth?

No.

Some travelers worry that they should use bottled water for brushing their teeth or even avoid ice in drinks.

For a normal trip to Korea, that level of precaution is generally unnecessary.

You can brush your teeth with tap water, shower normally and wash your face with it.

If you personally dislike the taste of the tap water where you are staying, you can of course use filtered or bottled water for drinking.

But that is different from needing to avoid tap water altogether.

4. Bottled water is easy to find

If you would rather drink bottled water, finding it is very easy.

Convenience stores, supermarkets and many other shops sell bottled water in several sizes.

You will usually see multiple Korean brands together in the refrigerated drinks section.

This makes bottled water an easy backup when you are sightseeing and cannot find somewhere to refill your bottle.

You do not need to buy a large supply before heading out. Convenience stores are widespread in Korean cities, so buying another bottle when you need one is usually straightforward.

5. What about water at Korean restaurants?

At many Korean restaurants, drinking water is provided without an additional charge.

Sometimes staff bring a bottle or jug of water to your table. At other places, cups and drinking water may be available at a self-service area.

The water you receive may be filtered water rather than water poured directly from a tap.

So if nobody immediately brings you water, do not assume that you need to order and pay for bottled water.

Look around for a water dispenser or self-service station, or simply ask the staff.

6. Should you bring a reusable water bottle?

You can, but there is one difference worth knowing.

Travelers from countries where public bottle-filling stations are common sometimes expect to find them everywhere in Korea.

You should not necessarily rely on that.

Water dispensers can be found in some hotels, malls, offices and public facilities, but convenient public refill stations are not something you should assume will always be nearby.

If you carry a reusable bottle, refill it when you have an opportunity.

If you run out while sightseeing, buying bottled water from a convenience store is usually the easiest solution.

This is especially worth remembering during Korea's hot and humid summer.

So what should travelers actually do?

There is no need to worry too much about drinking water during a trip to Korea.

The simplest approach is:

• Use tap water normally for brushing your teeth and washing.
• Drinking tap water is possible, but filtered water is very common in Korea.
• Use a water purifier when one is available at your accommodation.
• Buy bottled water when you are out and need something convenient.
• At restaurants, check whether water is already provided or available at a self-service station.
• Bring a reusable bottle if you like, but do not assume public refill stations will always be available.

What may surprise visitors is that Korea's tap water is considered safe to drink, while filtered and bottled water are still very common in everyday life.

Once you understand that difference, drinking water in Korea is actually very straightforward.