Restaurant etiquette
Korean restaurants work by simple rules. A few points make it easy.
The basic flow
- Go in and take a seat. Some places will show you to one.
- Choose and order. Press the call button if there is one, or say "저기요" to get attention.
- Water and side dishes are usually free, and often self-service from a bar.
- Pay at the counter after eating. Paying at the table is rare.
- There is no tipping. See tipping-culture.
Worth knowing
- Side dishes are often refillable. Ask "리필 돼요?" — but take only what you will finish.
- Some dishes cannot be ordered for one (grilled meat, hotpots). The menu will say "2인분 이상" (two portions minimum).
- Some restaurants have floor seating where you remove your shoes.
- You may be asked to share a table.
- There is a custom of the eldest lifting their spoon first, though foreigners are not held strictly to it.
Useful Korean
- "저기요" — to get attention
- "이거 주세요" — I'll have this
- "안 맵게 해 주세요" — please make it not spicy
- "물 좀 주세요" — some water please
- "계산할게요" — I'd like to pay
- "포장해 주세요" — to take away
Leftovers
- You can ask for a takeaway box — "포장해 주세요."
- Buffets and all-you-can-eat places usually prohibit taking food out.
Where to go
- 1330 tourist interpretation line (24 hours, multilingual)
- 1372 Consumer Counselling Centre (billing disputes)
- Your local public health centre (hygiene issues)
- 1577-1366 interpretation
Questions people ask
The price differs from the menu. Ask before paying. If unresolved, take the receipt and consult 1372.
They keep offering alcohol and I don't drink. Saying "저는 술을 안 마셔요" (I don't drink) is enough. Explaining religious or health reasons is usually understood. You may refuse pressure.
Can I eat alone? Yes, eating alone is common. Some two-person minimum dishes may not be orderable.
Can I bring children? Mostly yes. Some places are "no kids zones" — check in advance.
Take care
Drinking gatherings can involve pressure to drink. If you don't drink, say so clearly and decline. Driving after drinking is absolutely prohibited, and for foreigners it can affect residence status. See driving-rules.
Related
tipping-culture · halal-food · delivery-apps · korean-etiquette
Source
Korea Tourism Organization www.visitkorea.or.kr / As of 2026-08