Cigar Culture in Korea

[Hot Stuff x]

I've been living in Seoul, Korea since July 2008. I've found that there isn't much of a cigar culture here among the locals. I have met some Korean/Americans here that enjoy cigars, but among the locals I haven't met any cigar smokers, although I'm sure there are some. Most of the people I know here who are fellow BOTLs are expats.

There are a few shops here that have small cigar display cases (mainly Cuban cigars), but the prices are high and their storage practices are suspect. Also cigars can be found in the more upscale hotels (Hilton, J.W. Mariott, Hyatt, Shilla etc.).

I work on a U.S. military base here and have a U.S. mailing address through the APO military postal system, so I get all my cigars through the mail.

As far as where to go for a smoke, I usually go to a bar or to a coffee shop to enjoy one. Also on the army post here in Seoul there is a club that has a smoking room that isn't bad--The room has a sliding window through which you can order drinks from the bar.

I'd like to read comments from anyone else out there that is in Korea or has been here.

[shortstory5]

Are there smoking regulations? Smoking and non-smoking sections in most establishments?

[Hot Stuff x]

Originally Posted by shortstory5

Are there smoking regulations? Smoking and non-smoking sections in most establishments?

On the U.S. military bases it's just like the U.S. --No smoking within 50 ft. of a building entrance, and designated areas only in the clubs.

In Korean establishments each place sets there own rules--I don't think there are any laws regulating it. Cigarette smoking is pretty common here--just based on my observations and experience, I'd say the majority of men here smoke. Some restaurants allow smoking, some don't, and others have smoking sections--but I won't light up a cigar in a restaurant.

Bars generally will allow cigar smoking, and it's also okay in a lot of Korean coffee shops, but I almost always ask first before lighting up. Sometimes the ventilation in these places is not so good.

One interesting thing here, there are a lot of little places that sell coffee, beer, and snacks, but aren't really bars. They're like little cafes. They are called hofs, and I have never seen one of those that you can't smoke it. But again, cigars are pretty unusual in Korea, and I try to be respectful and make sure it's okay before I light up.

Another thing I noticed recently is that in some of the parks here, smoking is allowed only in designated areas--even though you are outdoors. i think the reason is they don't want to have cigarette butts polluting the park--or it could be due to the fire hazard, not sure. I believe this is a fairly recent thing, since I was living here in 2004-2006 and I don't believe there was a smoking ban in the parks.

The good thing overall though is that there isn't the same level of anti-smoking movement as you see in the U.S. The govt. here just started an ad campaign to discourage smoking, but public sentiment seems to fairly accepting of smokers, probably due to the fact that it's so popular.

[Cigary]

Hey Les,,,,how long are you stationed over there? I had a friend who was there many years ago and he used to send me some great stuff,,,clothes, shoes,,,cameras,,etc.

Take care of yourself over there and don't get into a whole lot of trouble.

[shortstory5]

That's pretty awesome.... Oh how I wish I could just go to any starbucks/carribou/dunkin donuts and just light one up!

Are you fluent in Korean? If so, how long did it take you to learn the language?

[sodomanaz-cl]

A large percentage of males in Korea smoke, just not cigars. Just about anywhere in Asia will be the same.

[Hot Stuff x]

The chain places you are familiar with--Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Krispy Kreme--you can't just light up in those places, though many do have a separate smoking section.

Gary, I'm not active-duty military, I'm retired military, so I'm not really "stationed" here, I came here of my own free will if you can believe that.

I'm a contractor, but since I work on a government contract, I get full use of the base facilities and protection under the U.S. - Korea SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement). I don't know how long I'll be here, but my tentative plans are to stay 4-5 years. Of course that's subject to change.

[shortstory5]

That's pretty cool Les.
I'm first generation of parents from Korea... What's your favorite food out there?
And how's the weather in Seoul right now?

Maybe if I make it back to my roots sometime in the next few years, I'll look you up!

[big04deuce]

Hey Les, me and the guys just go the local pubs to enjoy our cigars. The ones we go in the bar owners don't mind the smoke and rarely get complaints from the patrons. I can't really stand going to the "smoke pit" with the cigarette smokers. Nothing against them. I may be planning a trip to the dragon this weekend. I will drop you a note if I do.

[Hot Stuff x]

It's mostly f'ing freezing here these days. The weather here is similar to, say, Peoria. Maybe not quite as cold as Chicago.

Food? I like to go out for Korean barbecue--you know, daegi galbi or so-galbi, galbi sal, or samgeupsal cooked right at the table over a charcoal fire. It's a lot of fun.

For lunch on cold days I like dolsot bibimbap.

Jonathan, you asked before if I am fluent in Hangul. The short answer is no, but I do know enough to get by. I can't carry on an intelligent conversation, but I can shop, order food, tell time, get directions, give directions to taxi drivers, and basic things of that nature. Also I can read Hangul, which really helps a lot--although I am a slow reader.

[Hot Stuff x]

Originally Posted by big04deuce

Hey Les, me and the guys just go the local pubs to enjoy our cigars. The ones we go in the bar owners don't mind the smoke and rarely get complaints from the patrons.

Erick, I know what you mean--the bar scene in Songtan is a bit different than in Seoul. Songtan has some great places to hang out and enjoy a cigar.

I guess I could have titled this thread "cigar culture in Seoul", because that's where I live now, and that's the experience I'm relating.

Anyway, yeah, PM me if you are coming to Seoul. Note that this weeking coming up is Lunar New Year, a major Korean holiday, and the roads and trains will be jam packed.

[sodomanaz-cl]

Originally Posted by Hot Stuff x

Jonathan, you asked before if I am fluent in Hangul. The short answer is no, but I do know enough to get by. I can't carry on an intelligent conversation, but I can shop, order food, tell time, get directions, give directions to taxi drivers, and basic things of that nature. Also I can read Hangul, which really helps a lot--although I am a slow reader.

Hangul 한글 is the Korean alphabet. You mean Han-gook-oh 한국어 for spoken Korean. Just an FYI.

[shortstory5]

Samgeupsal is soooooooooooo goooood.

[Hot Stuff x]

Originally Posted by sodomanaz

Hangul 한글 is the Korean alphabet. You mean Han-gook-oh 한국어 for spoken Korean. Just an FYI.

Yes, you are correct.

[Fr8dog]

When I'm in Seoul, I usually bring my own, or buy one from Im at her store at the Hamilton mall in Itaewon. We used to be able to smoke at Gecko's, or at the Nashville Club. Been awhile since I have been to Seoul. The hotels seem to overprice their stash of Cubans. Not just there, but everywhere in Asia.