How to Eat at Korean Restaurants: Ordering, Side Dishes, Water, Tipping, and Local Etiquette
How to Eat at Korean Restaurants: Ordering, Side Dishes, Water, and Local Etiquette
Eating at local restaurants is one of the most enjoyable parts of traveling in Korea.
Korea has so many delicious foods, such as bibimbap, Korean barbecue, kimchi stew, cold noodles, tteokbokki, and kalguksu. But if it is your first time visiting a Korean restaurant, you may feel a little confused at first.
You might wonder:
“How do I call the staff?”
“Can I get water by myself?”
“Are side dishes free?”
“Is it okay to eat alone?”
“How do I order from a kiosk?”
“Do I need to tip?”
Korean restaurants have many customs that may feel different from restaurants in other countries. Some things are very normal for Koreans, but they can be confusing for foreign travelers.
In this guide, I will explain how to order food, how water and side dishes work, whether solo dining is okay, how to use kiosks, how to avoid spicy food, how to pay, how to choose a good restaurant, and basic restaurant etiquette in Korea.
1. What to Do When You Enter a Korean Restaurant
When you enter a Korean restaurant, the staff may ask:
“몇 분이세요?”
This means:
“How many people?”
If you are alone, you can show one finger or say:
“One person.”
If you are with one other person, you can say:
“Two people.”
In some restaurants, the staff will guide you to a table. But in smaller restaurants, casual eateries, kimbap shops, or local lunch places, customers often sit down at an empty table by themselves.
Do not worry if the staff does not come to you right away. In busy Korean restaurants, staff may not be able to greet every customer immediately.
In that case, you can wait for a moment or show the number of people with your fingers when you make eye contact with the staff.
2. How to Call the Staff
In many Korean restaurants, the staff do not usually stand near your table and wait for you. If you need something, you often call them yourself.
The most common phrase is:
“저기요.”
Jeogiyo.
This is similar to saying “Excuse me” in English.
You can use it when you want to order, ask a question, get more side dishes, or request something.
Some Korean restaurants also have a call button on the table. If you see one, you can press it instead of calling the staff loudly.
In small local restaurants, you may also hear people say:
“사장님.”
Sajangnim.
“Sajangnim” literally means “boss” or “owner.” But in Korea, people often use it politely and warmly to call the owner or staff at a small restaurant.
Even if the person is not actually the owner, this expression can still sound natural in many local restaurants.
However, avoid shouting too loudly or snapping your fingers to call the staff. This can seem rude in Korea.
3. How to Order Food
Ordering styles can be different depending on the restaurant.
The most common way is to order directly from the staff at your table. You can look at the menu and say what you want to eat.
For example, if you want to order one kimchi stew, you can say:
“김치찌개 하나 주세요.”
Kimchi jjigae hana juseyo.
“One kimchi stew, please.”
If you want to order two bibimbap, you can say:
“비빔밥 두 개 주세요.”
Bibimbap du gae juseyo.
“Two bibimbap, please.”
If Korean is difficult, you can simply point to the menu and say:
“This one, please.”
Most restaurant staff will understand.
Many restaurants in Korea now have English menus, but not all of them do. Local restaurants, traditional markets, old famous restaurants, and casual lunch places may only have Korean menus.
In that case, a translation app can help. Papago or Google Translate’s camera translation feature can help you understand the menu.
4. How to Order from a Kiosk
These days, many restaurants in Korea use self-ordering kiosks.
You will often see kiosks at fast food restaurants, cafés, franchise restaurants, and casual snack restaurants. In these places, you may need to order and pay at the kiosk before getting your food.
The usual kiosk ordering process is:
- Choose a language on the screen.
- Select your menu.
- Choose any options.
- Pay by card.
- Check your receipt or order number.
- Pick up your food when your number is called.
Recently, more regular restaurants have also started using tablet-style ordering devices at each table.
These table-ordering devices usually show food photos, so it is easier to understand what you are ordering. Some of them also support English.
Payment methods can be different depending on the restaurant.
If the ordering device has a card slot, you may be able to pay directly at the table.
If there is no card slot, you usually pay at the counter after eating.
However, many kiosks in Korea are card-based, and some foreign cards may not work. So it is a good idea to carry a little cash or prepare a payment method that works well in Korea. For example, a traveler-friendly card like WOWPASS can be useful.
If you have trouble using a kiosk, you can ask the staff:
“Can you help me?”
Or in Korean:
“도와주세요.”
Dowajuseyo.
“Please help me.”
5. Is Water Free in Korean Restaurants?
In most Korean restaurants, water is free.
However, the way water is served can be different.
Some restaurants bring a water bottle and cups to your table.
Other restaurants have a self-service water area where you get water by yourself.
If you see a sign that says:
“물은 셀프입니다.”
It means:
“Water is self-service.”
In that case, you can get water by yourself.
In most Korean restaurants, you do not need to pay extra just because you drink more water during your meal.
However, not every restaurant is the same. Some café-style restaurants or special places may sell bottled water separately.
But in a typical Korean restaurant, you can usually expect water to be free.
6. Are Korean Side Dishes Free?
One of the most special parts of Korean restaurants is banchan, or Korean side dishes.
Small side dishes such as kimchi, pickled radish, seasoned vegetables, fish cake, bean sprouts, and kkakdugi often come with the main dish.
In most regular Korean restaurants, basic side dishes are free.
In many restaurants, you can also get free refills.
If you want more side dishes, you can say:
“반찬 좀 더 주세요.”
Banchan jom deo juseyo.
“More side dishes, please.”
If you want more kimchi, you can say:
“김치 좀 더 주세요.”
Kimchi jom deo juseyo.
“More kimchi, please.”
Some restaurants bring extra side dishes when you ask.
Other restaurants have a self-service side dish bar.
If you see a space marked:
“셀프바”
Self bar
you can usually go there and take more side dishes yourself.
However, not every side dish is unlimited or free. Meat, eggs, special side dishes, or extra menu items may not be refillable, or they may cost extra.
If you are not sure, just ask the staff.
There is one more thing foreign travelers should know.
In principle, side dishes that have already been served to a customer’s table should not be reused for another customer. Even if they look untouched, restaurants usually discard them for hygiene reasons.
That is why it is better not to ask for too many side dishes just because they are free.
Side dishes may be free for customers, but they still cost the restaurant money, ingredients, and labor. Taking only what you can eat is more polite and natural in Korea.
7. How to Choose a Good Korean Restaurant
Choosing a good restaurant is also an important part of traveling in Korea.
But for foreign travelers, it can be harder than expected. The signs may be only in Korean, the menu may not have English, and there may be so many online reviews that it is hard to know what to trust.
Here are a few simple tips for choosing a good restaurant in Korea.
First, look for restaurants where local Koreans are eating.
If many Korean customers are coming in during lunch or dinner time, the restaurant is less likely to disappoint. Restaurants popular with office workers often have a good balance of taste, price, and portion size.
Second, choose restaurants with a clear main dish.
A restaurant with too many different menu items is not always the best choice. A place that specializes in one dish, such as kimchi stew, seolleongtang, or kalguksu, is often more reliable.
Third, do not judge only by photos.
Many restaurants become popular on social media because their food looks pretty in photos. But good photos do not always mean good taste. When choosing a restaurant, look at both the photos and the actual review content.
Fourth, read the reviews, not just the rating.
A short review like “It was delicious” is not very helpful. Reviews that mention taste, waiting time, service, price, and whether solo dining is possible are much more useful.
Fifth, think about whether a long line fits your travel schedule.
A famous restaurant may be good, but you might have to wait more than an hour. If your time in Korea is limited, you do not always need to insist on the most famous restaurant. A nearby local restaurant with good reviews can also be a great choice.
For foreign travelers, it is also helpful to check restaurant reviews on Naver Map or KakaoMap. For restaurants in Korea, Naver Map and KakaoMap can often be more useful than Google Maps because many local reviews and business details are updated there.
To keep it simple, when choosing a restaurant in Korea, look for these signs:
A place where locals eat.
A place with a clear main dish.
A place with detailed reviews.
Be careful with places that seem popular only with tourists.
If the waiting time is too long, look for a nearby alternative.
These simple tips can help you avoid many disappointing restaurant choices during your trip.
8. Is It Okay to Eat Alone?
Eating alone is becoming more and more common in Korea.
In Korean, eating alone is called:
“혼밥.”
Honbap.
It is very normal to eat alone at snack restaurants, kimbap shops, soup restaurants, ramen shops, tonkatsu restaurants, casual Korean restaurants, fast food restaurants, and food courts.
However, some restaurants may be difficult for solo diners.
During busy lunch or dinner hours, some restaurants may not want to take a solo customer, especially if they are very crowded. If possible, avoid peak hours for a more comfortable solo meal.
Also, some restaurants require at least two servings. This is common at Korean barbecue restaurants, hot pot restaurants, dakgalbi restaurants, and large seafood restaurants.
You may still be allowed to enter alone, but you might have to order at least two portions.
If you see a sign that says:
“2인 이상 주문 가능”
or
“2인분 이상 주문”
it means the restaurant may require orders for two or more people.
If you are traveling alone, it is usually better to choose restaurants where solo dining feels natural, instead of very popular places with long waiting lines.
9. How to Avoid Spicy Food
Korean food can be spicier than many travelers expect.
Foods like kimchi stew, tteokbokki, dakgalbi, spicy fish stew, buldak, stir-fried octopus, and jjambbong can be very spicy for foreign visitors.
If you cannot eat spicy food well, it is better to ask before ordering.
You can say:
“안 맵게 해주세요.”
An maepge haejuseyo.
In English, this means:
“Less spicy, please.”
But there is one thing to remember.
In Korea, “less spicy” does not always mean “not spicy at all.” If the sauce or broth itself is spicy, the dish may still taste spicy even if the restaurant makes it milder.
If you want to avoid spicy food, these dishes are usually safer choices:
- Bulgogi
- Galbitang
- Seolleongtang
- Samgyetang
- Bibimbap
- Kalguksu
- Tonkatsu
- Kimbap
- Steamed egg
On the other hand, be careful with foods that have a strong red sauce.
If the food photo looks very red, or if the name includes words like “spicy,” “fire,” “hot,” “stir-fried octopus,” or “jjambbong,” it is likely to be spicy.
10. Do You Need to Tip in Korean Restaurants?
You do not need to tip at Korean restaurants.
Korea does not have a tipping culture like the United States.
When you finish your meal, you only pay for the food.
In fact, if you leave money on the table, the staff may think you accidentally forgot it.
Even at hotels or high-end restaurants, tipping is usually not necessary. Some expensive restaurants may already include a service charge.
So in Korean restaurants, you do not need to worry about tipping.
11. Where Do You Pay?
Payment methods can be different depending on the restaurant.
Some restaurants make you pay when you order, either at a kiosk or through a table-ordering device.
But in most regular restaurants, you pay at the counter after finishing your meal.
If there is a bill on your table, you can take it to the counter.
If there is no bill, you can say:
“계산할게요.”
Gyesanhalgeyo.
“I would like to pay.”
If you want to pay by card, you can simply hand over your card.
Card payment is very common in Korea, and most restaurants accept cards.
However, some traditional markets, small street food stalls, or very old restaurants may only accept cash.
It is safer to carry a card and a small amount of cash while traveling.
12. Can You Take Leftover Food To Go?
In Korea, many restaurants allow you to take leftover food to go.
However, not every restaurant offers this service.
It may be difficult to pack soup dishes, buffet food, or food from all-you-can-eat restaurants.
If you want to take leftover food with you, you can say:
“포장해 주세요.”
Pojanghae juseyo.
In English, you can say:
“Can I take this to go?”
In Korean restaurants, usually only the main dish is packed. It is not common to ask the restaurant to pack all the basic side dishes as well.
Some restaurants may bring you a takeout container so you can pack the leftovers yourself. In that case, you can put only the food you want to take home into the container. It is better not to pack all the basic side dishes unless the restaurant clearly allows it.
Also, some restaurants may not allow takeout because of their own rules. Foods that spoil easily or are difficult to manage safely may not be available for takeout.
If you want to pack leftovers, it is best to ask the staff before you finish your meal.
13. Small Etiquette Tips for Korean Restaurants
There are a few small etiquette tips that are useful in Korean restaurants.
First, try not to talk too loudly or speak loudly on the phone.
If the restaurant is already noisy, it may not matter much. But in a quiet restaurant, it is better to be considerate of other customers.
Second, take only as many side dishes as you can eat.
Even if side dishes are free, taking too much and leaving a lot of food may not look good. Also, once side dishes are served to a customer’s table, they are not reused. They are thrown away, so it is better to ask only for what you need.
Third, try not to stay too long after finishing your meal.
This is especially true during busy lunch or dinner hours. If many people are waiting, it is more natural to leave after you finish eating.
Fourth, if there is a self-service area, you may need to get water, side dishes, small plates, or utensils by yourself.
Fifth, in some restaurants, you need to return your tray or dishes after eating.
This is common in food courts, casual snack restaurants, and self-service restaurants.
Knowing these small differences will make eating at Korean restaurants much easier.
14. Useful Korean Phrases for Foreign Travelers
You do not need to memorize many Korean phrases to eat at a restaurant.
Just knowing a few simple expressions can make your meal much easier.
저기요.
Jeogiyo.
Excuse me.
Use this to call the staff.
이거 하나 주세요.
Igeo hana juseyo.
One of this, please.
물 주세요.
Mul juseyo.
Water, please.
반찬 좀 더 주세요.
Banchan jom deo juseyo.
More side dishes, please.
안 맵게 해주세요.
An maepge haejuseyo.
Less spicy, please.
포장해 주세요.
Pojanghae juseyo.
Please pack this to go.
계산할게요.
Gyesanhalgeyo.
I would like to pay.
You do not need to pronounce these perfectly. Most Korean restaurant staff will appreciate it when foreign travelers try to use even a little Korean.
15. What to Remember If It Is Your First Time at a Korean Restaurant
Korean restaurants may feel a little unfamiliar at first.
You may need to call the staff yourself. You may need to get your own water. Side dishes may come for free, and you do not need to tip. Some restaurants use kiosks, while others ask you to pay at the counter after eating.
But once you understand a few basic things, eating at Korean restaurants is not difficult.
The most important things to remember are:
- Do not panic if the staff does not come right away.
- In many restaurants, you can get water yourself.
- Side dishes are usually free, but take only what you can eat.
- You do not need to tip.
- If you are worried about spicy food, ask before ordering.
- When choosing a restaurant, look for places where locals eat and where the main dish is clear.
Korean restaurants are one of the best places to experience Korean culture up close.
Even if the menu is a little difficult and the ordering system feels unfamiliar, once you get used to it, your trip to Korea will become much more enjoyable.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to eat at Korean restaurants will make your trip much easier.
At first, calling the staff, refilling side dishes, getting water by yourself, and ordering from kiosks may feel unfamiliar. But most Korean restaurants are simpler and more convenient than they may seem.
If you do not want to feel lost at a Korean restaurant, remember these four phrases:
“저기요.”
Jeogiyo.
Excuse me.
“이거 주세요.”
Igeo juseyo.
This, please.
“안 맵게 해주세요.”
An maepge haejuseyo.
Less spicy, please.
“계산할게요.”
Gyesanhalgeyo.
I would like to pay.
With just these four phrases, you can order with much more confidence in Korea.
And when choosing a restaurant, do not only look for famous places. Try to find restaurants where local Koreans eat and where the main dish is clear.
Side dishes are often free and refillable, but once they are served to a table, they are thrown away and not reused. So asking only for what you can eat is one of the best ways to enjoy Korean restaurants respectfully.
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