South Korean customers at a hotpot restaurant located at Shanghai People's Square. Photo: The Economic View

Since China has implemented visa-free access for South Korean visitors in November, a growing number of South Koreans have taken advantage of the policy to visit Shanghai for weekend getaways. With local hotpot restaurants in Shanghai receiving up to 200 South Korean customers a day, restaurant staff have begun learning Korean to better serve their guests.

"Our store receives an average of 1,200 to 1,500 customers per day, with around 150 to 200 of them being South Koreans, accounting for approximately 15 percent of the total," said Hu Xiaozheng, the manager of a hotpot restaurant located at Shanghai People's Square. Hu said that South Korean customers make up one third of the patrons during weekends, and notably, after 10 pm, South Koreans constitute over half of the restaurant's patrons.

To better accommodate them, Hu initiated Korean language training for staff a month ago. Now, the waiters could speak simple Korean greetings. Some of them even utilize their Korean skills to introduce interactive games at the restaurant to South Korean guests.

In addition to encouraging waiters to learn Korean, the restaurant has designated a staff member in the nail salon area to assist customers with queuing for nail services, using their personal phone number. "We have also set up English signage in the restroom to provide more convenient guidance for our customers. Additionally, we have switched the menu to an English interface," Hu said.

Hu noted that South Korean guests show particular enthusiasm for the noodle-pulling performances and birthday celebrations held for customers in the restaurant. Hu revealed that the restaurant plans to add kimchi dishes to better cater to its South Korean clientele.

According to data from Ctrip.com, a leading Chinese online travel agency, since the implementation of China's visa-free policy for South Korean visitors on November 8, inbound travel orders from South Korea rose by 15 percent month-on-month and 150 percent year-on-year. Notably, during the period from November 8 to December 2, nearly 40 percent of travel orders from South Korean visitors were for Fridays and Saturdays.

Experts have highlighted that Shanghai's openness, and a high degree of internationalization makes it an appealing destination for South Korean visitors. 

Global Times