English-Speaking Pharmacy near Gangnam Station: A Visitor's Guide
You land in Seoul, the schedule is packed, and on day two your throat starts to hurt. Or your skin breaks out from the dry air. Or last night's Korean BBQ and soju are still with you.
You walk into a pharmacy, everything is in Korean, and you're not sure what to ask for.
I'm Haesung Jung, the pharmacist at Gangnam Optima Jung Pharmacy. I see this situation almost every week, so I wrote this guide for travelers.
How Korean pharmacies work
Pharmacies (약국, yak-guk) are everywhere in Seoul. Look for the sign with the character 약.
Many everyday medicines, supplements and skincare products can be bought without a prescription.
Some medicines, such as antibiotics, need a prescription from a Korean doctor. If your symptoms need one, we'll tell you and point you to a nearby clinic.
Medicine names and brands are often different from home, even when the active ingredient is the same. That is where a pharmacist helps most.
What to bring when you visit
A photo of the medicine you usually take at home (the box or the ingredient list).
A list of any allergies, and the medicines you take every day.
Tell us if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or buying for a child. The right choice changes.
What we can help with in English
Travel troubles: colds, sore throat, upset stomach, jet lag, blisters from walking all day
Skin: breakouts, dryness, irritation, and choosing Korean skincare for your skin type
Supplements and inner-beauty routines
Women's health questions such as cramps and bloating
A good pharmacy visit is a short conversation. Tell us what you feel, when it started, and what you already tried. We'll take it from there.
When to see a doctor instead
High fever, trouble breathing, chest pain, a severe allergic reaction, or symptoms that get worse after a few days need a doctor, not a pharmacy. In an emergency in Korea, call 119.
Find us
Gangnam Optima Jung Pharmacy · 338 Gangnam-daero, LUKA831 Building 1F, Unit 106
(follow this google map link)
5 minutes from Gangnam Station Exit 4
Mon–Fri 8 AM–9 PM, Sat 9 AM–5 PM, Sun 9 AM–2 PM
+82-2-6952-7831
Save this guide for your trip, and feel free to walk in and say hello.
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