If you live in Korea, there are two apps you need immediately: KakaoTalk and Coupang.
Koreans say "how did I live without Coupang?" for a reason. Order at night, it's at your door by morning. Don't like it? Press return in the app and someone picks it up. That's Korean delivery culture.
Sign-up can be confusing for foreigners, so here's the complete walkthrough.
What is Coupang?
Korea's Amazon — but in some ways better:
- Rocket Delivery: Order before midnight → arrives next day (usually free)
- Dawn Delivery: Order at night → at your door by 7 AM
- Easy returns: Press a button in the app. Done.
Whatever you need in Korea — groceries, electronics, household items — you start by searching Coupang.
What you need to sign up
- Korean phone number (010-XXXX-XXXX) for SMS verification
- Email address — any email works
- Korean address for delivery
Download "Coupang" from the App Store or Google Play. If you have a KakaoTalk account, KakaoTalk login is the easiest option.
Payment: you need a Korean card
Foreign Visa/Mastercard often doesn't work. Get a Korean bank debit card — open an account with your ARC (Alien Registration Card) at any bank.
KakaoPay and NaverPay work too if linked to a Korean account. No card at all? Bank transfer (무통장입금) is also an option.
Rocket Delivery vs Regular
Important distinction:
- 🚀 Rocket Delivery: Coupang ships directly. Fast, reliable, easy returns.
- Regular: Third-party seller ships. 2-5 days. Less consistent.
When prices are similar, always choose Rocket.
Rocket Wow (Coupang's Prime)
4,990 won/month (~$4):
- Free Rocket + Dawn Delivery
- Free returns
- Coupang Play (streaming service)
First month free. Order 2-3 times a month and it pays for itself.
Returns are incredibly easy
This is Coupang's killer feature:
- My Coupang → Order History → Return/Exchange
- Select reason (changed my mind = totally fine)
- Leave it at your door → courier picks it up
Rocket Wow members: free returns within 30 days.
When you don't speak Korean
Google Translate camera translates the app screen in real-time. Papago (Naver's translator) is more accurate for Korean.
Key words:
- 장바구니 = Cart
- 구매하기 = Buy
- 배송지 = Delivery address
- 반품 = Return
- 무료배송 = Free shipping
- 품절 = Sold out
When the delivery driver calls
Usually asking where to leave the package. Memorize this one phrase:
"문 앞에 놓아주세요" (mun ap-e no-a-ju-se-yo) = "Please leave it at the door"
Coupang Eats (food delivery)
Works with your Coupang account. Korean food delivery is world-class — definitely try it. Rocket Wow members get delivery fee discounts.
Once you start, there's no going back
Seriously. "Oh no, I'm out of wet wipes" at midnight → order → it's there by morning. Coupang isn't optional in Korea. It's essential.
Welcome to Korea! 🙌
This post contains affiliate links from Coupang Partners. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.