Quick answer
Install Naver Map, Papago, Kakao T, and KakaoTalk before you arrive. Add Baemin or Coupang Eats only if you expect to order delivery and can handle possible Korean phone, address, or payment checks.
- First-time visitors: Naver Map, Papago, Kakao T, KakaoTalk.
- Food delivery users: Baemin and Coupang Eats, with a backup plan if verification fails.
- Short city trips: Naver Map and Papago solve most daily problems.
- Travel with no Korean number: prepare hotel help, card backup, and Korean destination names.
Must-have apps
Download these before or right after arriving. Many basic features may work with a foreign phone number, but account verification, delivery, payment, and recovery features can still require Korean SMS or local payment setup.
| App | Category | Why you need it | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naver Map | Navigation | Main local app for subway, bus, walking, local search, saved places, and directions. | English search can fail for smaller places; copy the Korean name when needed. |
| KakaoMap | Navigation backup | Useful backup for local routes, bus details, walking, restaurants, and map comparison. | English usability may feel less familiar than global apps. |
| Papago | Translation | Translate Korean text, menus, signs, voice, images, and conversations. | Machine translation can still miss tone, context, names, or menu-specific wording. |
| Kakao T | Taxi and mobility | Request taxis and access mobility services such as bikes, parking, train, or travel features where available. | Payment and account setup can vary for foreign cards and foreign phone numbers. |
| KakaoTalk | Messaging | Useful for contacting Korean friends, hosts, tour providers, and local businesses. | Account verification and recovery can be difficult if SMS access is unreliable. |
| Baemin (Baedal Minjok) | Food delivery | Major Korean food delivery app for restaurants, pickup, groceries, and shopping features. | Korean phone, local address, app language, and payment setup may block visitors. |
| Coupang Eats | Food delivery | Food delivery and pickup app with grocery and shopping features in supported areas. | Benefits, delivery fees, address coverage, and payment setup vary by account and area. |
Set up before you arrive
- Download Naver Map, Papago, Kakao T, and KakaoTalk while you still have stable internet.
- Create or confirm Kakao and Naver accounts if you plan to use saved places, chat, or taxi features.
- Allow location access for maps and taxis, and camera access for Papago image translation.
- Save your hotel name, Korean address, and nearest subway station in Naver Map.
- Keep Google Maps as a planning and saved-places backup, but use local apps for final routes.
Food & ordering
Baemin (Baedal Minjok)
Baemin is a major Korean food delivery platform. You can browse restaurant menus, order in-app, choose pickup or delivery where available, and track delivery status. English support, payment setup, and registration conditions may vary, so use Papago to translate menus and prepare a backup plan.
- A Korean phone number may be required for registration, account recovery, or payment verification.
- Delivery fees, small-order fees, memberships, and promotions change by restaurant, distance, area, and account status.
- If delivery fails, ask your hotel front desk, use pickup, or visit the restaurant directly.
Coupang Eats
Coupang Eats is another major food delivery and pickup option. It can be useful when Baemin registration or payment fails, but availability, membership benefits, fees, and address coverage depend on your account and location.
Pro tip
At restaurants without English menus, use Papago's camera translation to scan the menu. It works remarkably well for Korean text.
Transport apps
- Kakao T - Request taxis and check pickup details. Foreign card setup and in-app payment may vary, so keep another card, cash, or T-money as backup.
- Naver Map or KakaoMap - Use for final subway, bus, walking, and destination checks before you move.
- Subway Korea - Useful as an offline subway map and route-planning backup.
- Citymapper - Useful as a clean English transit backup in Seoul if it supports the routes you need.
Communication
- KakaoTalk - Korea's main messaging app. Essential if you are meeting locals, joining groups, contacting hosts, or coordinating with some local services.
- Papago - Translate text, voice, and images. It is especially useful for menus, signs, kiosk screens, and short conversations.
Shopping & convenience
- Coupang - Useful for everyday items and fast delivery when you have an address, payment method, and account setup that works.
- Convenience store apps - CU and GS25 apps may help with pickup, reservations, coupons, or stock checks, but tourists may not need them for short trips.
Watch out
Many Korean apps require phone number verification via SMS. If your foreign number doesn't receive Korean SMS, get a local SIM or eSIM with a Korean number first.
Apps by situation
| Situation | Use this | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Lost or need directions | Naver Map | KakaoMap or Google Maps saved place |
| Cannot read a menu | Papago camera translation | Ask staff for the most popular item |
| Need a taxi late at night | Kakao T | Hotel taxi help, taxi stand, or Korean destination text |
| Hungry and do not want to go out | Baemin or Coupang Eats | Convenience store, hotel front desk, or pickup order |
| Meeting a local friend | KakaoTalk | SMS, email, Instagram, or WhatsApp if agreed in advance |
| App cannot find your address | Copy the Korean address into Naver Map | Search by nearby station, building, or landmark |
| Payment fails in an app | Try another card or pay in person | Use cash, T-money, or ask the hotel for help |
Which apps fit your trip?
| Traveler type | Install first | May skip | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-time visitor | Naver Map, Papago, Kakao T, KakaoTalk | Convenience store apps | These solve the most common problems: routes, language, taxis, and local messaging. |
| Short stopover | Naver Map, Papago | Food delivery apps | Setup time may be longer than the value for a very short stay. |
| Family traveler | Naver Map, Papago, Kakao T | Apps that need complex verification | Focus on predictable routes, taxi backup, and quick translation. |
| Longer stay | All core apps plus Coupang | None by default | Delivery, shopping, and local communication become more useful over time. |
Common app problems
- SMS verification fails: try a Korean-number SIM or eSIM if the app requires local SMS.
- Foreign card is rejected: try another card, pay in person, or keep cash and T-money as backups.
- English search fails: paste the Korean place name from your booking, website, or map result.
- Delivery address is difficult: use the building name, road-name address, or ask accommodation staff to confirm the Korean address.
- Too many permissions: allow only what the feature needs, such as location for maps or camera for translation.
Frequently asked questions
Which apps should I install before traveling to Korea?
Install Naver Map, Papago, Kakao T, and KakaoTalk before arrival. Add Baemin or Coupang Eats if you plan to order food and can complete account and payment setup.
Do Korean apps work with foreign phone numbers?
Some basic features may work with a foreign phone number, but food delivery, payment, account recovery, or identity checks may require Korean SMS verification.
Which app is best for translation in Korea?
Papago is a strong first choice for Korean translation because it supports text, image, voice, and conversation translation.
Which app should I use for taxis in Korea?
Kakao T is the main taxi-hailing app to try first, but account setup and payment features can vary. Keep a backup payment method and your destination written in Korean.
Can tourists use Baemin or Coupang Eats?
Tourists may be able to browse or order in some cases, but Korean phone verification, local address entry, app language, and payment setup can block or slow down food delivery.
Is KakaoTalk necessary for tourists?
KakaoTalk is useful if you will communicate with Korean friends, hosts, tour providers, or local businesses. Very short trips may not need it.
Sources & Last Reviewed
Last reviewed: July 1, 2026. App features, languages, verification rules, payment support, delivery fees, and membership benefits can change. Check the current app page before relying on a feature for an important trip task.