Sub-zero temperatures is an everyday occurrence in South Korea during winter. In the beginning of 2021, Seoul and surrounding areas saw temperatures drop to around minus 20 C!

So how do Koreans cope with the cold winters?

Let’s check out some Korean must-have winter items and learn how to stay warm this winter! 

ELECTRIC HEATING MAT

Electric heating mats are hugely popular in South Korea. Although most Korean homes are equipped with a floor heating system, it can be quite expensive to keep on all of the time.

Instead, many choose to buy an electric heating mat and place it where they spend most of their time (often in front of the TV in the living room!). 

The price of a heating mat can vary, ranging from 50,000 won to 300,000 won. The more expensive, the safer the mats tend to be, so it might be worth to spend a little extra. 

Furthermore, electric heating mats don’t always block electromagnetic waves effectively, which could possibly be harmful to us. Instead, more and more choose hot water mats, which are safer although slightly less convenient. 

ELECTRIC BLANKET

An electric blanket is like a smaller and simpler version of the electric floor mat. Light and easy to move, you can put it on your sofa or your bed.

The blankets get really warm and cozy, and they are relatively cheap. It is a must-have winter item for people who live alone.

I made good use of my electric blanket in order to survive winters back in collage. 

The downside is that the blankets often only come in one size. You also need to pay attention to the temperature and how long you keep it on to avoid burn injuries.

HOT PACKS

However comfortable it may be on our electric mats in front of the TV, sometimes we need to go outside. Unfortunately, we can’t leave our house wrapped in an electric blanket.

What do Koreans use instead? Hot packs!

Hot packs are very convenient and many last a full day. Just make sure that they are not too hot, or they may cause burns.

You can find hot packs in convenience stores, Daiso and other stores.

LONG PADDING COATS

The trend of long puffer coats, or long paddings as Koreans call them, started a few years ago. Nowadays it feels like a majority of the people you pass on the streets in Korean cities will wear one of these coats in the winter.

The price often determines how good they are at keeping you warm.

Korean winters are indeed dry and cold, but it is the wind that makes them really freezing. Long padding coats are great since they cover most of your skin from being exposed to the wind. 

The coats are very convenient, but they have also become somewhat of a status symbol among younger Koreans. Students pester their parents to buy new and expensive coats, which can undoubtedly become a financial burden to their families.

FLEECE JACKETS

In addition to long padding cats, furry fleece jackets have also gained popularity the past three years. Also called teddy coats, we see more and more people on the streets wearing these, looking both cute and warm.

I couldn’t help getting one for myself this winter!

Although the fleece jackets are usually shorter than long paddings, they are still enough to keep at least the upper part of our bodies warm. 

HOT SPRINGS AND BATH HOUSES

Although South Korea is not famous for its hot springs, there are plenty of them around the country. 

Even more ubiquitous are the bath houses, jjimjilbang. Find one equipped with a steam sauna to warm yourself up on a cold winter day. 

SAMGYE-TANG

Koreans firmly believe in "fighting heat with heat." Therefore, on hot summer days, they eat hot samgye-tang soup. The healthy ginseng chicken soup does wonders to replenish depleted energy.

But samgye-tang is also a great dish to replenish our bodies and warm us up during the winter. 

By the way, some Koreans also believe in fighting cold with cold, and ice cream sales are steady during the winter months too. 

SOJU

Some Koreans will turn to alcohol to fight the cold. However, it is not the most effective method. Science has proven that you are only deceiving and dulling your senses when you are intoxicated. 

If you get drunk and pass out on the sidewalk, it will sure have the opposite effect of warming you up. 

Still, many people enjoy soju and other alcoholic beverages to keep themselves warm in the winter.

WINDOW BUBBLE WRAP

연합뉴스

Koreans love putting bubble paper on their windows. On the one hand, it blocks natural light, but on the other hand, it can be used to block gaps where cold wind would flow in.

Although many argue that completely sealed and unventilated rooms are not good for our health, for Koreans, it is a better alternative than to wake up freezing in the middle of the night.

That wraps up this article. We have learned some things that Koreans do and use to survive the cold winters. Do you have any items or habits that help you through the cold months? Stay warm out there!