Complete Guide to Naver Map for Korea Travelers 2025 : Restaurants 🌏🚀
Complete Guide to Naver Map for Korea Travelers 2024 (English/日本語/中文 Support)
Hey there! I’m Jay Kim. Planning a trip to Korea? Or already exploring this amazing country? Either way, this guide will make your Korean adventure so much more enjoyable! Korean cities are changing fast, and Google Maps often struggles to keep up. Want to discover the newest restaurants, pop-up stores, and trending hotspots? Naver Map is your perfect travel companion – it’s the go-to navigation app that supports English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified/Traditional), and Korean! 😊
1. Why Use Naver Map? 🤔
✅ Why Naver Map Beats Google Maps in Korea
- Most used navigation app by locals, with full English/Japanese/Chinese support
- Massive database of restaurant, café, and tourist spot reviews with verified visit badges
- All reviews and menus automatically translated into your preferred language
- Spot-on recommendations powered by Naver’s local search data
- Detailed indoor maps of underground shopping centers & malls
- Perfectly optimized for Korea’s unique address system
💡 Naver Map’s Special Features
- Real-time public transit info in multiple languages
- Papago auto-translation for menus, reviews, and even signs!
- Verified user review system (no fake reviews!)
- Custom place filters (from ambiance to price range)
- 3D navigation for complex subway transfers
- Real-time crowding info for tourist spots
- Live restaurant waiting times
- Quick search for nearby toilets/convenience stores/ATMs
2. Installing & Setting Up Naver Map 🛠️
📱 Installation Steps
- Search for “Naver Map” in App Store/Google Play
- Download & install the app
- Sign in with a Naver account (optional)
- Download Naver Map
📌 Android Download
📌 iOS Download
- While not required, logging in lets you save favorites and write reviews!
🌏 Language Settings
The app automatically detects your system language, but you can easily change it anytime!
- Open the app and click ‘Settings’ at the top
- Choose your preferred language (English, Japanese, Chinese, or Korean)
- Activate auto-translation
- Now everything from reviews to menus will be displayed in your chosen language!
💡
Initial Setup Tips
- Download offline maps to save data
- Set up favorite locations for quick access
- Enable subway/bus notifications
- Share your location with travel buddies in real-time
3. Finding & Exploring Restaurants 🍽️
💡 Pro Tip
Rather than following a list of recommendations, discover the joy of finding restaurants that match your personal taste!
Guide to Finding Restaurants on NAVER Map
NAVER Map is automatically translated in real-time, making it as easy to use as a local app for international visitors.
- Searching for Restaurants
- ‘Near by’ Function: You can explore restaurants around your current location in real-time. It’s convenient as you can instantly check information and reviews of nearby restaurants.
- Location Search: Search using ‘location name + food type’ (e.g., ‘Gyeongbokgung Palace + samgyeopsal’) to find restaurants near specific locations. This is particularly useful when planning trips or meetings.
2. Checking Restaurant Information
- When you select a restaurant, you’ll be directed to the NAVER Place screen for detailed information.
- Basic information such as business hours, menu, prices, and parking details are all provided with real-time translation.
- Reviews and photos from local visitors are automatically translated, making it easy for international visitors to reference.
Thanks to NAVER Map’s real-time translation feature, international visitors who don’t understand Korean can easily find and check information about Korean restaurants, just as if they were using an app from their home country.
📌To translate, please find this button.
🏠 Home
- Basic info (address, hours, social media links)
- Quick buttons for Call, Save, and Navigation
- One-click translation for all information
🍽️ Menu
For translation, click the Papago button located below the review.
- Complete menu & pricing details
- Auto-translation for each menu item
- Popular dishes highlighted by blogger reviews
- press papago button.
⭐ Reviews
- Choose between visitor reviews & blog reviews
- Filter reviews by keywords (‘good food’, ‘friendly staff’)
- Verified receipt reviews for authenticity
📷 Photos
- Real food photos & interior/exterior shots
- Category filters for easy browsing
📍 Nearby
- Search ‘restaurant’ or ‘맛집’ for current location finds
- Area-specific searches (e.g., ‘Myeongdong restaurants’, ‘cafes near Gyeongbokgung’)
- Various filters available
- Look for ‘N Book’ mark for reservable spots
ℹ️ Info
- Facility & service details (Wi-Fi, reservation options)
- Parking information and nearby parking lots
- Official social media links
💡
Pro Tips
- Red ‘HOT’ marks indicate trending places
- Double-check closing days in recent reviews
- Prioritize visitor reviews over blog reviews
- Set ‘Crowding Alerts’ for peak hours
- Save nearby landmarks with restaurant locations
- Use Naver for big restaurants, Catch Table app for smaller spots
- Check nearby amenities (toilets/ATMs/convenience stores)
- Save photos of locations in your language for easy showing to taxi drivers
- Use the ‘Related Searches’ for discovering similar places nearby
4. Coming Next – Mastering Transportation 🚇
- Real-time subway/bus arrival info
- Best route planning
- Taxi services & fare estimates
Enjoying this guide? Got questions? Drop them in the comments below! With Naver Map, you’re all set to explore Korea like a local. Happy traveling! 🇰🇷✨
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to understand Korean to use Naver Map?
Not at all! Naver Map fully supports English, Japanese, and Chinese. You can easily switch languages in the settings, and all content including reviews and menus will be automatically translated.
Is Naver Map better than Google Maps in Korea?
Yes, for traveling in Korea, Naver Map is generally more reliable. It offers more accurate and up-to-date information, better indoor mapping, real-time public transport updates, and extensive local reviews.
Do I need a Naver account to use the app?
No, you can use most features without an account. However, creating one allows you to save favorite places, write reviews, and customize your settings.
How accurate are the restaurant reviews and ratings?
Very accurate! Naver Map uses a verified visit system where reviews must be proven with receipt photos. The ratings come from actual local visitors, making them reliable for finding authentic spots.
Can I use Naver Map offline?
Yes! You can download maps for offline use. Just remember to download your desired areas while connected to Wi-Fi. Real-time features like transit updates will require an internet connection.
How do I find English-friendly restaurants?
Use the filter feature and search for ‘English menu’ or check recent reviews from foreign visitors. Many restaurants in tourist areas will have their information available in English through the translation feature.
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