Seoul restaurant spice beyond convenience store level is BRUTAL by western standards. Even mild at Gwangjang Market bindaetteok stalls uses full korean gochugaru concentration that builds heat differently than ramyeon packets.

Context: ordered medium tteokbokki at famous Jongno market stall thinking 7-Eleven training prepared me. Immediately regretted existence while ajumma watched confused. Always have milk ready not water for real Seoul market food - learned this crying over soup.