Korea - OK to drink the water in South Korea?

I have a trip to South Korea coming up and I'm getting some conflicting information.

I have two guidebooks (2006 and 2008) which say don't drink the tap water.
I have a third guidebook and saw a TV show which both claimed the tap water is fine.

All four said that bottled water is plentiful and cheap wherever you go, which based on my previous travels, is usually a sign that you shouldn't drink the local stuff.

Does anyone know for sure?

I drink bottled water in Korea. I suspect it's probably fine as Korea is a pretty clean place but the water is cheap (or free in most hotel rooms) which as you say is usually a sign to steer clear of it.

I've never been sick from anything I've eaten or drunk in Korea so I wouldn't go to huge efforts or worry too much though. Probably similar level on care on my part as drinking in Taiwan, HK etc

If you mean from the tap in your hotel room, yes it is safe. I assume the water I drink in restaurants I patronize in Korea is tap water.

I buy bottled water only because I drink water a lot and I'm not always in my room when I'm in Korea.

These days I'd suspect the safety of the water in most American cities. I spent a week in Seould and while I generally drank bottled water, I had no problem with the water I used in the bathroom of my hotel.

A few years ago and friend and I had a 10 hour layover in Seoul. It was novembr and we were returning from a trip to Bangkok. Our final destination was Honolulu. I did not bring a jacket and damned near froze to death.

We stopped off at a small noodle shop and drank the water that was on the table in a large jug. My friend barely made it back to Honolulu. He as sick for over two weeks. I got sick a day later but it was pretty bad for week. My advise is to not drink the water. Aloha

We stopped off at a small noodle shop and drank the water that was on the table in a large jug. My friend barely made it back to Honolulu. He as sick for over two weeks. I got sick a day later but it was pretty bad for week. My advise is to not drink the water. Aloha

Could have been what you ate, not what you drank. I've never had an issue drinking tap water in Korea, having spent months of my life (that I'm not getting back) there.

Its also safe to say where ever you go the water can have a big effect on your guts due to its mineral content alone. When I go to some places in UK I can smell chlorine in the water and boy will that stuff have an effect on you. you may also want to look at http://www.environmental-expert.com/resultEachPressRelease.aspx?cid=3519&codi=29843&level=0&idproducttype=8

It is safe to drink tap water in Korea but as you may see, most of restaurants will have filtered water available. In any place in the world, the practice of boiling tap water before drinking is a good idea. Nonetheless, it's odd to find such question for Korea... :confused: and see a post by someone claiming that they got sick after drinking water in a restaurant in Korea - how do you know if the sickness is caused by water? There are many confounding factors. :confused:

It is safe to drink tap water in Korea but as you may see, most of restaurants will have filtered water available. In any place in the world, the practice of boiling tap water before drinking is a good idea.

No, not really. You don't need to boil the tap water in the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Japan, Singapore, or even Hong Kong.

Nonetheless, it's odd to find such question for Korea...

I don't think it's odd. As I stated earlier, I have two books which both advise against drinking the tap water in South Korea. There must be a reason for it.

:confused: and see a post by someone claiming that they got sick after drinking water in a restaurant in Korea - how do you know if the sickness is caused by water? There are many confounding factors. :confused:
Are you implying that Korean chefs don't know how to cook food to a safe temperature?

I have two books which both advise against drinking the tap water in South Korea. There must be a reason for it.

Which guidebooks are you looking at? If it's Lonely Planet, that's one thing, if Foders, that's another.

No, not really. You don't need to boil the tap water in the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Japan, Singapore, or even Hong Kong.

I said it's a good idea to boil tap water in general whether or not you are drinking the tap water in the US, Japan, Korea, etc.

I don't think it's odd. As I stated earlier, I have two books which both advise against drinking the tap water in South Korea. There must be a reason for it.

Perhaps it's just that those books are outdated. Your comment came across as being ignorant... questioning that (based on two book sources) Korea's water is unsafe to drink like the waters in developing country. But then again, you are free to ask any questions... so I am not going to delve in this potentially controversial issue.


Are you implying that Korean chefs don't know how to cook food to a safe temperature?

:confused::confused::confused: Where did I say anything about Korea chef? Someone seemed to have claimed that they got sick because of water they drank at a restaurant in Korea. I was merely suggesting that the temporal sickness was probably due to other confounding factors and cannot isolate water as the main source of the illness.

Obviously you have never been to Korea... and perhaps never to Japan or Asia. Please do some more reading and researching and post such questions.

I'm sorry this topic bothers you so much. I was merely trying to clear up some conflicting information.

I'm sure you have great pride in your country, but that pride seems to be getting in the way of your judgement. My inquiry was not meant to offend you. There are many great cities and nations where it is not safe to drink the tap water. If yours is one of them, that's OK. There's no reason to be ashamed of it. My intention was not to hurt your pride.
I said it's a good idea to boil tap water in general whether or not you are drinking the tap water in the US, Japan, Korea, etc.

It would be beyond absurd to boil tap water in the United States or Japan. I'm not sure what "good idea" you're talking about. You might filter the water if you don't like the aftertaste of the treatment in some cities, but to suggest it's a "good idea" is ludicrous.

Perhaps it's just that those books are outdated.

All of the books were published from 2006-2008. And I trust what is written in a book more than what some random very defensive person says on the internet. Your level of hostility and defense makes you less credible.

Your comment came across as being ignorant... questioning that (based on two book sources) Korea's water is unsafe to drink like the waters in developing country.

I merely stated facts -- that I have several books which conflict with each other. How is that ignorant? I came here for advice and clarification. All you have given me is hostility and jingoism.
:confused::confused::confused: Where did I say anything about Korea chef?

You suggested the problem wasn't the water at the restaurant mentioned above, so that leaves the food. Is there another factor I might be overlooking that you did not state?

Someone seemed to have claimed that they got sick because of water they drank at a restaurant in Korea. I was merely suggesting that the temporal sickness was probably due to other confounding factors and cannot isolate water as the main source of the illness.

You fail to elaborate on "confounding factors." What else is there at a restaurant besides food and drink? You insist the drink is not the problem, so it must be the food.

Obviously you have never been to Korea... and perhaps never to Japan or Asia.

You are correct, I have not been to Korea. If I had I wouldn't have to ask these questions. But the 44 stamps in my passport attest to the fact that I have traveled all over Asia.
Please do some more reading and researching and post such questions.
Posting the question IS part of my research. I'm researching wether the tap water is safe to drink. What did you think I was doing?

From Frommer's South Korea, published in 2008, page 27: "Tap water is not potable in South Korea, but all restaurants and even offices and banks offer free filtered or bottled water."

After seeing how irrationally offended you have become at this imagined sleight, I'll go with the book and be sure not to drink the water. And I'll be sure to make everyone I know aware that the water in South Korea is not safe to drink.

It would be beyond absurd to boil tap water in the United States or Japan.I disagree. Water in different countries comes with different bacteria. If your body is used to them then no problem, but if it isn't then it can be a problem. Personally I trust in my immune system to deal with it, but to claim that the tap water in the US or Japan is somehow superior to other countries' tap water is ridiculous. Different yes, superior, no.

I'm sorry this topic bothers you so much. I was merely trying to clear up some conflicting information.

okay, whatever.

Where in my post did I indicate that I am Korean and I have a sense of pride of Korea? It's your assumption. And if you were intent is to just clear up the some 'conflicting information' why do you go and waste your time in trying to argue with every single point I made in the previous post? Save your time for packing.

Confounding factors that I may list here could be 1) food (various types from raw sea food to cooked meat), 2) allergic reactions (including other medical condition one may carry), 3) psychological, 4) fatigue, etc.

Signing off from the thread.

I was in Seoul last summer and drank tap water and didn't get sick. YMMV.

A couple of guide books said not, but that seemed really strange to me.

There is an interesting scene in Slumdog Millionaire. One character (Jamal I think) is working in a restaurant. He picks up an empty plastic water bottle and fills it from the tap and recaps it and then runs a thin line of glue around the cap.

I have limited expereince in S Korea (Maybe 2 weeks total). I have not had any problems with the water or food. I would drink bottled water when possible, but not worry about it the way I would in some other Asian countries. Drink beer and brush your teeth with Soju :)

I travel to Korea at least 4X a year. I find the tap water perfectly safe and I have never had a problem with it. That said, most hotels will provide bottled water or a water filter. But one hotel's filtered water tasted so bad that I reverted to tap water.

What I find odd is that my Korean colleagues will not drink tap water, only filtered or bottled. They think I'm nuts for using tap water.

There is an interesting scene in Slumdog Millionaire. One character (Jamal I think) is working in a restaurant. He picks up an empty plastic water bottle and fills it from the tap and recaps it and then runs a thin line of glue around the cap.
Which is why in India you should crush used bottles and insist on double-sealed new ones (cap and plastic), but this has precious little to do with Korea.

I have to state, though, that Korean chefs often do not cook food to a safe temperature: hell, they've served me octopus that's still wriggling :p

Well, I'm back from the trip and here's what I found --

The advice I got from my hotel (a large four-star international chain) was to NOT drink any tap water in Seoul. Naturally, the hotel provided free bottled water. Bottled water is pretty cheap and plentiful around town, which as I stated above, is usually a pretty good indication that you shouldn't.

AT THE AIRPORT (ICN) the water fountains in the departure check-in area have signs over them indicating they they are, indeed, safe to drink from. If a government agency has to tell people that its water fountains are safe, then logic tells you that in general the rest of the water around town is not safe.

Most restaurants served us water, but only when we asked for it. It came in glasses, not bottles. But at least it had ice. The Koreans were nice enough to understand that Americans love ice in our beverages. Not all countries are that thoughtful.

Bottom line -- be careful. Not as careful as you would be in Pakistan or Kenya; but still be mindful of your options.

Oh, one more thing -- the United States Army tells its soldiers and their families not to drink the water in Seoul. Specifically:

If you have adventurous taste buds, you will love experimenting
with the foods in Seoul. If not, stick to the more “moderate” facilities,
which cater to tourists. One note of caution: DO NOT DRINK TAP
WATER on the economy. A safe bet is to ask for bottled water (and
watch it being opened in your presence), or drink soda or beer.

This is from the Army's "Seoul Survivor" document. If the water's not good enough for the U.S. Army, it's not good enough for me.

Most restaurants served us water, but only when we asked for it. It came in glasses, not bottles. But at least it had ice. The Koreans were nice enough to understand that Americans love ice in our beverages. Not all countries are that thoughtful.

Bottom line -- be careful. Not as careful as you would be in Pakistan or Kenya; but still be mindful of your options.

I assume you know that if you shouldn't be drinking the water, you shouldn't have ice in your drinks.

AT THE AIRPORT (ICN) the water fountains in the departure check-in area have signs over them indicating they they are, indeed, safe to drink from. If a government agency has to tell people that its water fountains are safe, then logic tells you that in general the rest of the water around town is not safe.
Signs in airports are generally aimed at visitors to a country, not locals.

Follow the general rule...when in Rome, do what the Romans do. Or in this case, when in Korea...you get the drift.

Tap water is probably safe - but most Koreans do not drink tap water. They boil it or filter it, i.e. food establishments. If you drink tap water in Seoul, expect it to taste as yummy as in NYC...or any other large metropolitain city. Other cities YMWV. One in mind is Daegu - a few years ago they had a big campaign touting the city's tap water.

Bottled water is like $.50 per 16oz at convience stores. It's even cheaper at supermarkets.

I always drink water from the tap in South Korea. If I was in North Korea then I would most likely boil the water. :p If one is that worried about water then I would just buy bottled water at a convenience store or ask the front desk upon check-in if they drink water from the tap in the hotel or not. I do agree with an earlier post that the water may very well be fine but your body may react poorly to things in the water that it just is not used to....each person is different.

I've drunk the tap water in Korea without problems. Safe tap water is a relatively recent development there, so most Koreans either drink tea (especially barley tea) or filtered water. They see it as vaguely healthier.

But yeah, bottled water is available pretty much everywhere. Diet Coke somewhat less so.

\not Korean

Um... I would say that I boil water in the United States.
When I lived in Colorado, I would drink the tap water with no problem, but in Baltimore? hah! I have yet to talk to anyone who drinks tap water straight in Baltimore.. at the very least people filter it. Baltimore water tastes pretty bad, in my opinion, but that might be because I got fresh water from the mountains in Colorado. haha. I always drank bottled water in Baltimore, and only just recently has the city started a campaign to get people to start drinking tap water.

Anyway, back to the drinking tap water in Korea..
It's safe to drink the tap water, but most people drink filtered/bottled water because that's what they're used to. Even though it may be safe, they've been drinking filtered water their whole lives, so it would feel weird switching to tap water after decades of avoiding it. That's why every place offers filtered water, because people feel safer drinking that type of water even though tap is perfectly safe by itself.
For example, I had a friend who moved to Colorado, and drank tap water only if it was filtered. Even though everyone else in Colorado just drank it straight from tap, she always drank it filtered, because that's just how she did it when she lived in Connecticut, and she thought it was gross to just drink it straight.
So it all depends on perspective, I think.

Bottom line: Safe to drink tap water, but if it still irks you, just stick to bottled.

Okay, so I'll be honest, I found this site while doing a search about Korea's water safety. Frankly, I've been drinking th tap water filtered, through a Brita water pitcher that I brought with me, for about 7 months now. I have had not one stomach infection. And the only reason I filter it is because I did that in the US because I don't like the taste of minerals in the water. The pitcher DOES not filter biological entities so it's not getting rid of any harmful things in the water.

That being said, my Korean roommate thinks it's bad to drink the water and only drinks bottled water (or water from the machines) and claims that most Korean people are like that. But I'm going to say that Korean people tend to over-worry about some things.

Basically, I looked it up because I was curious about the validity of her beliefs, but I've found nothing supporting them yet. The water is fine, and if you're REALLY worried about it, drink previously boiled water.

I disagree. Water in different countries comes with different bacteria. If your body is used to them then no problem, but if it isn't then it can be a problem. Personally I trust in my immune system to deal with it, but to claim that the tap water in the US or Japan is somehow superior to other countries' tap water is ridiculous. Different yes, superior, no.

I am here to tell you that the tap water in the USA is superior to the tap water in Sudan.

I lived in Seoul in the mid 80's. The tap water looked and smelled fine, most of the time. Once in a great while it would get a funky brownish.

We never drank the water, instead transporting it from post daily. We did, however, brush our teeth and dishes with it (except when it was brown). Every few months we'd all come down with a mysterious stomach flu, which a doctor finally said was from the water usage. Once we stopped using the local water, no more sick.

Now, that has been 20 years. But- as once poster said, every country has their own unique bacteria. I'd drink bottled if I were you.

I just got back from a trip to South Korea. I was in a situation at a manufacturing facility where there was no bottled water so I drank from
the faucet in the bathroom. Within 10 minutes of doing so I got very
dizzy and I felt very hot inside from my stomach up to my throat. I
then drank a lot from a bottle of water someone ran off site to get. My
symptoms eventually went away after a 1/2 hour or so, but it scared me
pretty good. I thought I had poisoned myself and was going down.

I come from an area in the USA where it is encouraged to drink water from the tap so as to not use plastic bottles that end up in the landfill. I unwittingly extended this practice to a Korean manufacturing facility and could have hurt myself by doing so. Please do not trust water coming out of any tap at a manufacturing facility in South Korea! Take water with you!

Kool-Aid and Suju mixed causes memory loss.:D:confused::eek: