Where
Seoul, South Korea
When
Departures every week, all year round (excluding holiday closures)
Duration
From 1 week
Accommodation
Shared or private rooms in the volunteer house, with meals included
Language
Basic English is enough
Ideal for
Anyone curious to see Korea up close through direct contact with the local community
Project details
In central Seoul, hundreds of people queue up every day for a hot meal, often the only one of the day.
The Soup Kitchen centre was set up to meet that essential need and to offer dignity and support to people facing real hardship.
Here, preparing and serving a meal isn't just about cooking: it means becoming part of a community built on everyday solidarity.
As a volunteer, you'll work alongside the local staff through the different parts of the day: from prepping ingredients and cooking, to serving meals and tidying up. Each small gesture helps build something real, turning the kitchen into a place of meeting, care and hope.
Here, preparing and serving a meal isn't just about cooking: it means becoming part of a community built on everyday solidarity.
As a volunteer, you'll work alongside the local staff through the different parts of the day: from prepping ingredients and cooking, to serving meals and tidying up. Each small gesture helps build something real, turning the kitchen into a place of meeting, care and hope.
Share a meal, change a day
In central Seoul, hundreds of people queue up every day for a hot meal, often the only one of the day.
The Soup Kitchen centre was set up to meet that essential need and to offer dignity and support to people facing real hardship.
Here, preparing and serving a meal isn't just about cooking: it means becoming part of a community built on everyday solidarity.
As a volunteer, you'll work alongside the local staff through the different parts of the day: from prepping ingredients and cooking, to serving meals and tidying up. Each small gesture helps build something real, turning the kitchen into a place of meeting, care and hope.
Here, preparing and serving a meal isn't just about cooking: it means becoming part of a community built on everyday solidarity.
As a volunteer, you'll work alongside the local staff through the different parts of the day: from prepping ingredients and cooking, to serving meals and tidying up. Each small gesture helps build something real, turning the kitchen into a place of meeting, care and hope.
Why participate
Give every meal meaning
Help prepare and serve the only daily meal for hundreds of people in difficulty.
The Weekly Program
Weekdays
From Monday to Friday, days are mostly spent at the community kitchen, alternating between prepping ingredients, cooking and serving meals.
After the activities, the group often joins cultural visits or shared moments with the local coordinators, getting to know the city and its food traditions a bit better.
07:00Breakfast at the centre and getting ready for the day
09:00Arrive at the soup kitchen and start prepping ingredients
11:30Serving meals and supporting the people who come to the kitchen
14:00Cleaning up the kitchen and a lunch break with the group
17:00Cultural tour or evening activity with the coordinators (e.g. traditional market or jjimjilbang)
21:00Back to the accommodation, downtime with the other participants and rest
Weekend
Weekends are free of set activities. You can explore the area, plan a short trip, or just take it easy with the other volunteers.
Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace
Discover Korea's most iconic royal palace, with its gardens, courtyards and traditional ceremonies.
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FAQs
🏙️ Your accommodation in Seoul (Hongdae)
You'll stay at a special guesthouse in the heart of Hongdae, the city's young, creative neighbourhood. The place blends a Buddhist spirit with city life: calm and communal, but a few steps from cafés, shops, markets and quick links to the rest of Seoul.
🛏️ Rooms and comfort
• Shared rooms (4–6 beds) or private
• Air conditioning and heating in every room
• Linen and towels provided, safe and personal locker
• Shared bathrooms, separated by gender, with hot showers and Western-style facilities
🍽️ Meals & spaces
• Breakfast at the guesthouse
• Lunch at the project sites
• Dinner on your own (local restaurants: roughly £5–£10 per meal)
• Wi-Fi in the common areas, laundry for a small fee, relaxing spaces and traditional Korean tea
🧾 What's included
• Shared or private rooms
• Breakfast at the guesthouse and lunch at the projects
• Drinking water and traditional tea always available
• Wi-Fi in the common areas
• Coin laundry nearby
• Ongoing support from the local team
💛 More than just accommodation
It's not just a place to stay: it's a meeting point with volunteers from around the world. Between meditation, evening chats and the buzz of Hongdae, the place becomes part of the experience.
You'll stay at a special guesthouse in the heart of Hongdae, the city's young, creative neighbourhood. The place blends a Buddhist spirit with city life: calm and communal, but a few steps from cafés, shops, markets and quick links to the rest of Seoul.
🛏️ Rooms and comfort
• Shared rooms (4–6 beds) or private
• Air conditioning and heating in every room
• Linen and towels provided, safe and personal locker
• Shared bathrooms, separated by gender, with hot showers and Western-style facilities
🍽️ Meals & spaces
• Breakfast at the guesthouse
• Lunch at the project sites
• Dinner on your own (local restaurants: roughly £5–£10 per meal)
• Wi-Fi in the common areas, laundry for a small fee, relaxing spaces and traditional Korean tea
🧾 What's included
• Shared or private rooms
• Breakfast at the guesthouse and lunch at the projects
• Drinking water and traditional tea always available
• Wi-Fi in the common areas
• Coin laundry nearby
• Ongoing support from the local team
💛 More than just accommodation
It's not just a place to stay: it's a meeting point with volunteers from around the world. Between meditation, evening chats and the buzz of Hongdae, the place becomes part of the experience.
🛡️ Safety and support
In Seoul we've thought of everything so you can settle in confidently 🏙️ All the programmes are set up to give you reliable surroundings and ongoing support, both during the activities and at the guesthouse.
🔹 Background checks
Every volunteer is asked to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent) before travelling. We'll send you clear instructions on how to request it. A simple but important step that gives peace of mind to everyone.
🔹 High safety standards
• Guesthouse in a central, safe and lively neighbourhood
• Lockable rooms and controlled access
• Local staff on site every day
• Experienced local partners, used to hosting international volunteers of all ages
🔹 24/7 support
The local team is always reachable, including outside working hours. Our UK team is also on WhatsApp for any emergency or practical advice 📞
🔹 Briefing and orientation
You'll start with an orientation day covering Korean culture, safety and local etiquette. A useful moment to get to know the group, get familiar with the city and feel at home.
🔹 A few sensible habits
✔ Always keep the coordinator's number with you
✔ Avoid going to outer parts of the city on your own at night
✔ Follow the staff's advice on getting the best out of public transport
💡 Our aim
To give you a safe, modern and welcoming setting, so you can focus on the essentials: enjoying Seoul, growing and sharing real moments 🇰🇷
In Seoul we've thought of everything so you can settle in confidently 🏙️ All the programmes are set up to give you reliable surroundings and ongoing support, both during the activities and at the guesthouse.
🔹 Background checks
Every volunteer is asked to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent) before travelling. We'll send you clear instructions on how to request it. A simple but important step that gives peace of mind to everyone.
🔹 High safety standards
• Guesthouse in a central, safe and lively neighbourhood
• Lockable rooms and controlled access
• Local staff on site every day
• Experienced local partners, used to hosting international volunteers of all ages
🔹 24/7 support
The local team is always reachable, including outside working hours. Our UK team is also on WhatsApp for any emergency or practical advice 📞
🔹 Briefing and orientation
You'll start with an orientation day covering Korean culture, safety and local etiquette. A useful moment to get to know the group, get familiar with the city and feel at home.
🔹 A few sensible habits
✔ Always keep the coordinator's number with you
✔ Avoid going to outer parts of the city on your own at night
✔ Follow the staff's advice on getting the best out of public transport
💡 Our aim
To give you a safe, modern and welcoming setting, so you can focus on the essentials: enjoying Seoul, growing and sharing real moments 🇰🇷
🧭 Orientation day
Your time in Seoul starts with a day designed to help you get a feel for the city, get to know the programme and learn how to find your way around between ancient temples and futuristic skyscrapers 🏙️
On your first Monday, you'll join a series of activities led by the local team:
• Welcome meeting and an introduction to the programme and house rules
• Practical advice on health, safety and cultural etiquette in South Korea
• Introduction to Korean culture, with a few useful words and pointers on customs
• Seoul City Tour: visit landmarks like Gyeongbokgung and Jongmyo Shrine, to get a feel for the unique mix of modern and traditional
• Useful pointers on transport, local SIMs and nearby services
• If you'd rather arrive online, you can buy an eSIM before you travel through Airalo
Beyond seeing the city, it's also a great moment to break the ice with the other participants, swap motivations and start building a group from day one 💬
📌 After orientation
From Tuesday you'll start the project activities: from day one you'll have everything you need to get the most out of your time in Korea.
Your time in Seoul starts with a day designed to help you get a feel for the city, get to know the programme and learn how to find your way around between ancient temples and futuristic skyscrapers 🏙️
On your first Monday, you'll join a series of activities led by the local team:
• Welcome meeting and an introduction to the programme and house rules
• Practical advice on health, safety and cultural etiquette in South Korea
• Introduction to Korean culture, with a few useful words and pointers on customs
• Seoul City Tour: visit landmarks like Gyeongbokgung and Jongmyo Shrine, to get a feel for the unique mix of modern and traditional
• Useful pointers on transport, local SIMs and nearby services
• If you'd rather arrive online, you can buy an eSIM before you travel through Airalo
Beyond seeing the city, it's also a great moment to break the ice with the other participants, swap motivations and start building a group from day one 💬
📌 After orientation
From Tuesday you'll start the project activities: from day one you'll have everything you need to get the most out of your time in Korea.
✈️ Arrival tips for Seoul
For an easy start, we'd recommend booking your flight into Incheon International Airport (ICN) on a Sunday between 10:00 and 17:00. That's when our welcome service is running: a member of our team will be at the meeting point with a sign.
If you arrive outside those hours or on a different day, no worries: you can make your own way to the accommodation by public transport (Airport Railroad to Hongik University Station, around 45 minutes, then 6 minutes on foot) or book a private pickup with a small supplement. Either way, please send us your flight details as soon as you book so we can sort the right support.
On arrival you may need to wait a bit for other participants before the group sets off, so a little patience helps. If for any reason you can't spot our team straight away, stay at the meeting point: we'll find you. After your booking is confirmed you'll get a document with emergency contacts and detailed instructions.
🚖 Heading home: return flight tips
When the project finishes, check-out from the accommodation is by 11:00 on the Saturday. The return transfer to the airport isn't included. You can easily get to Incheon (ICN) in about 1 hour on the Airport Railroad, for around £2.50. If you'd rather, the local team can help you book a taxi or a private transfer, even shared with other volunteers.
We'd suggest booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you can leave the place in your own time and get to the airport without rushing.
🗓️ Carrying on with your trip
If you're planning to travel on within Korea or to other Asian countries, let us know: we'll happily share practical tips to make your departure smooth.
💡 Once your booking is confirmed
We'll email you a full pack with all the up-to-date logistics, the local coordinator's contacts and emergency instructions.
For an easy start, we'd recommend booking your flight into Incheon International Airport (ICN) on a Sunday between 10:00 and 17:00. That's when our welcome service is running: a member of our team will be at the meeting point with a sign.
If you arrive outside those hours or on a different day, no worries: you can make your own way to the accommodation by public transport (Airport Railroad to Hongik University Station, around 45 minutes, then 6 minutes on foot) or book a private pickup with a small supplement. Either way, please send us your flight details as soon as you book so we can sort the right support.
On arrival you may need to wait a bit for other participants before the group sets off, so a little patience helps. If for any reason you can't spot our team straight away, stay at the meeting point: we'll find you. After your booking is confirmed you'll get a document with emergency contacts and detailed instructions.
🚖 Heading home: return flight tips
When the project finishes, check-out from the accommodation is by 11:00 on the Saturday. The return transfer to the airport isn't included. You can easily get to Incheon (ICN) in about 1 hour on the Airport Railroad, for around £2.50. If you'd rather, the local team can help you book a taxi or a private transfer, even shared with other volunteers.
We'd suggest booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you can leave the place in your own time and get to the airport without rushing.
🗓️ Carrying on with your trip
If you're planning to travel on within Korea or to other Asian countries, let us know: we'll happily share practical tips to make your departure smooth.
💡 Once your booking is confirmed
We'll email you a full pack with all the up-to-date logistics, the local coordinator's contacts and emergency instructions.
Book your spot
1
Send your application (free)
Pick the project you like the look of and tell us when you'd like to travel. No commitment, the application is free and non-binding.
2
Meet your coordinator
After your application, we'll put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They'll walk you through everything and answer your questions.
3
Confirm your spot
When you're ready, pay the deposit to lock in your spot. You'll get everything you need: local contacts, a visa guide and your pre-trip pack.
4
Off you go
Pack your bag and travel. On arrival you'll find other travellers like you, a welcoming local team, and a trip you'll be talking about for a while.
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