5 Practical Food Tips To Avoid Ruining Your Clothes On A Trip To South Korea
I though I’d do something a little different in this week’s post and highlight something no one usually talks about when traveling or living in South Korea: the way spicy food can quickly turn your casual, elegant look into a grimy one.
I’d like to clarify that I’m not generally a messy eater, but that changed a lot when I lived in South Korea, where I often ended up with a few stains, thanks to the habit of slurping ramen.
That’s why I decided to write a fun and maybe helpful (who knows) post with a few tips to help you avoid staining your clothes and/or remove them.
Save it for later!
1. Don’t wear white tops/pants
I don’t know why, but every time I chose to wear a white top, the situation unfolded predictably 9 times out of 10. Whether it was my clumsiness or sheer bad luck, it was simply the reality that set in every time I ate something spicy, which, if you’ve ever visited South Korea tend to be usual.
Spicy is good, but my worst enemy was actually one of the star ingredients found in many Korean dishes: gochujang (chili paste). And as much as I love it, it’s also a real pain to remove its stains once it’s soaked into your clothes. By the way, kimchi is also a strong contender in this area.
So, like you’ve probably guessed, I ended up removing the white from my wardrobe or chose to be extra careful with my ramen slurping habits.
2. Always have wet wipes
Not only wet wipes are a versatile item that you’ll need when there’s no tap, for example, when hiking, to freshen up after a long-haul flight or many other situations, they’re also very useful for getting rid of the bulk of colorful stains if you’re not close to getting home.
Another idea is to quickly run to the bathroom restaurant and use a little soap. You won’t completely remove the stain on your favorite top or pants, but it’ll be enough to enjoy the rest of the day without looking like a big mess.
3. Use adult bibs
For me, bibs remind me of cute toddlers who eat by putting food everywhere, but are still protected by this bulletproof garment, which parents are grateful exist.
Little did I know that I’d be embracing them again in South Korea, where adult bibs are an actual thing, and you don’t blush to wear them or even ask for them.
Usually found in samgyeopsal (Korean barbecue) places or wherever you have to get your fingers dirty, it’s an essential you won’t soon be able to do without.
It’s also great when you’re all dressed up and don’t want to show up at the club door with kimchi stains on your dress.
Don’t be shy, ask for a bib without shame!!
4. Slurp your ramen slowly
Udon, ramen, all kinds of noodles really should be handled carefully and always accompanied with your chopsticks, and this is even truer if you’re new to using chopsticks.
And don’t even try to slurp your noodles savagely, as this is the surest way to ruin your outfit, as yours truly has proved over a hundred times.
But once you’ve mastered the art of slurping with the right level of noise, and all without staining yourself, that’s true skill, my friend!
5. Call on your best allies
If all else fails and the food gets the better of you, fortunately there are ways to get rid of persistent stains, even if they come from gochujang or kimchi.
The most effective helpers are hot water, white vinegar or powdered oxygen bleach. Let soak overnight and miraculously recover even your white top!
Any other tips you can think of to avoid ruining your favorite clothes with spicy food? Leave them in the comments!
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Lol, I love these tips, they made me chuckle. Honestly, you shouldn’t eat ramen with white tops, I can imagine the stain. Even a pro has to be extra careful
Yep, lesson learned, no more white tops for me hahaha. Thanks for reading, Rayo!
Thank you so much for these tips and I really learned the nuances of effectively managing Korean foods. Super helpful.
Glad you liked this post, Hari, and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
This is so good to know! I love to wear white clothes, but it’s too dangerous to get it dirty! When I’m at home I think about covering up, but I rarely do it in restaurants When the damage is done, I wash immediately to the bathroom and wash with hand soap (soap is soap!), but sometimes stains still remain… I should try the powdered oxygen bleach!
Yes, you should definitely give it a try, hope it helps! Thanks for your visit and comment, Liliane!
Such a fun and helpful read. I never even thought about how quickly a good bowl of ramen could ruin an outfit until now. These tips are smart and easy to remember, especially for anyone planning a trip. Thanks for sharing this side of travel most people skip.
You’re more than welcome and glad you found it helpful! Thanks for reading, Ann!
So many things I didn’t think about! Thanks for sharing!
Happy to help, and thanks for your visit, Lex!
Great tips! I love the practical approach—especially the advice about not wearing white and being mindful with sauces. Traveling in South Korea is such a foodie adventure, and it’s easy to forget that bibs or quick fixes aren’t always available on the go. I’d also add that packing a small stain remover pen or a few wet wipes can be a lifesaver for street food adventures. Thanks for the helpful guide!
Oh yes, a stain remover pen is a must for me when in South Korea! Thanks for your comment and feedback!
Great tips! I tend to be more of a messy eater (oops), so I definitely get messy with ramen! The bibs are my go-to! Lol.
Bibs are an underrated accessory (in my opinion)! Thanks for reading, Catherine!
I had a few chuckles with this one. The sauces are sooooo difficult to get out!! I don’t wear white tops anymore!! Thanks for the tips!
Riight? I almost ruined a top because of kimchi stains! But now I know the trick hahaha
Thanks for reading, Kimberly!
Great tips! Ramen is delicious but messy lol!
It sure is!! Thanks for reading, Chloe!
This was my favorite tip. I haven’t tried Korean food yet, but the warning about white tops really stuck with me. It’s one of those things you don’t think about until it’s too late. Knowing how easily spicy sauces can stain makes this such a smart and practical reminder for anyone traveling and wanting to enjoy new foods without ruining their clothes.
Aww thank you so much! Happy to help! And yes, although I love spicy food, spicy sauces are my nemesis!! Thanks for reading, Ann!