A Map to Osan AB and the SED
This is a map to Osan Air Base and the Songtan Entertainment District (SED) directly outside base. In Korea you’re going to need to use a combination of Google Maps (no up to date info), Naver Maps (no reviews), and KakaoMap (no English characters) to get around. You’re going to have to piece together information from these three apps to get what you want. Also due to Korean law, there are no maps of military bases though roads do show up in satellite view. To help you out I’ve created an accurate map of Osan and the SED current as of May 2023.
Here’s a link to the map:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hVtnAbcAVK7qgcSeA
I chose to use Google maps because most Americans already have the app and you can use the satellite view to navigate yourself around the roads of the base manually. The pins are mostly just coordinates, not actual POIs from Google maps because the Google markers are off. I tried to get the pins as exact as possible to the entrances since stores are crammed and stacked together.
What’s on the Map
Below are the descriptions of the places I’ve marked. The names correspond to the names in the note section of the pin since I can’t change the name of the pin itself.
On Osan Air Base I’ve marked the BX, Barber, Post Office, Checkertails, FSS MWR, Pass and Registration, the Commissary, the Korean commissary, Korean DFAC, Tent City, Turumi Lodge, and the 24H walking gate. These are mostly self explanatory. The barber on base is alright. Checkertails is a 24H food diner. You can use the post office to send stuff home that you don’t wanna lug around for cheap. I wouldn’t recommend our DFAC, it’s more expensive than eating out.
On the SED I’ve focused primarily on the main pedestrian road that the 24H gate feeds directly into. It’s an amazing example of a military town catering towards Americans. This list is by no means all inclusive since you’ll get to know more places the longer you stay but it’s a good start if you have no idea where to go. Many businesses also come and go but those on this list are pretty much the staples of the area. Without further ado, here are the points of interest in order from nearest to furthest (from base) on the main road of the SED…
Mikes Arcade: The store is split into half clothing half souvenirs. Buy souvenirs for friends and family here.
Lim’s Tailor: This is probably the longest standing tailor in the area and you’ve probably heard that Korea is the place to get a suit on the cheap. Get a tailored service dress or a made to measure suit here. It takes 2–3 weeks.
Mike’s All Seasons: Get a knock off team Jersey or get your unit’s Jersey’s here. On Fridays you’ll often see unit Jerseys worn instead of uniforms which is really cool to see everyone representing on the SED Friday night.
McDonalds: The coffee at Korean McDonald's is way better than at home and they have a bulgogi burger worth trying.
AJs Gore Tex: You can buy knock off uniform items here like the Massif jacket. AJ the jacked store owner will tailor it for you.
Meat House: My KBBQ place of choice because they have brisket and radish slices which is more like what you see in the KBBQ in the states. If you haven’t had radish slices with your KBBQ they make an essential palette cleanser after eating a bunch of meat.
Blue Opera: A popular open air bar with great pizza. Sit here for a drink and your friends will easily find you if they’re on the SED.
Hangari Galbi: The default KBBQ place. Lots of DVs are taken here.
Efes Kebab: There are multiple Kebab places on the SED. This is the best one.
Olive Young: You’ve probably heard Korea is a great place to get skincare products; Olive Young is a common chain.
Curry Ya: Japanese style curry, huge portions. (Upstairs)
Sand Fox: Sandwich place. (Upstairs)
Norang Tongdak: Korean Fried Chicken.
And now for honorable mentions off the SED’s main road…
Omoya Japanese Restaurant: Japanese food, where I go if I’m craving sushi.
Sakusaku: Korean Fried Chicken place.
Think Lounge: They have a large drink called the “Think Tea” that tastes like iced tea and will mess you up. Common pregame spot.
Last honorable mention to all the coffee shops around, they’re all great but for some reason they’re not open early.
Transit
You’ll notice there are Taxi Stands marked on the map. There’s one at the BX, one inside the 24H gate, one outside the 24H gate, and one at the train station. Taxis off base can’t go on base so have them drop you at the 24H gate, walk through, then use the on base taxi stand directly inside the gate to finish your trip home. Taxis on base can go off base but I’ve heard they’re often not happy to do so.
It takes 90 minutes-ish to get to downtown Seoul by train. You can do it faster by transferring to a faster train at another station but I’ve never bothered to attempt that route. Your nearest station is Songtan Station, not Osan station (Osan station is actually 2 stops away). To pay for the train you’ll need an IC card, you can buy one at the convenience store inside the train station, they keep them behind the register. Once you have an IC card, walk across the station to the machine where you can load it. Rides are very cheap. The trains stop at midnight so if you’re in Seoul trying to get back to Osan you better be on a train at like 10 pm. The app you need for train routing is called Seoul Subway. If you’re in Seoul and it’s not a direct route to where you need to go by train, just taxi. Taxis are cheap and the trains are often crowded, hot, and confusing for the inexperienced.
Korea is a really fun time with a lot of military culture surrounding Osan, the SED, and Seoul. I won’t spoil it all for you here. Have fun out there! 🫡
