Is Korea really cashless? What foreigners need to know about payments

Korea is extremely card-friendly, but not 100% cashless for foreigners. Where cards work: - All convenience stores - Chain restaurants and cafes - Department stores and malls - Most taxis (especially Kakao T) - Transit (T-money/Wowpass) Where you might need cash: - Traditional markets (Gwangjang, Namdaemun) - Small street food stalls - Some pojangmacha (tent bars) - Older local restaurants - Temple entrance fees Foreign card issues: - Visa/Mastercard: works almost everywhere - AMEX: limited acceptance - JCB: widely accepted - Apple Pay: widely accepted at most stores with NFC terminals - Google Pay: limited acceptance Carry ₩50,000-100,000 cash as backup. That's enough for emergencies and market food.