How to order at a Korean restaurant: menus, kiosks, BBQ rules and eating alone
Call buttons, tablets and kiosks, the two-portion rule at barbecue places, side dishes, paying, and Korean phrases for every step.
Eating out in Korea is easy once you know how a meal works. This guide takes you from the door to paying the bill.
1. Getting a table
- Walk in and show the number of people with your fingers, or say the number.
- Busy places may have a waiting list at the door: a tablet where you enter a phone number. If you have no Korean number, ask staff to call you in person.
- Some restaurants ask you to take off your shoes if the seating is on the floor.
2. Ordering
There are three common ways to order:
| Method | How it works |
|---|---|
| Call button | Press the button on the table, or say 저기요 (jeogiyo), and a server comes to take your order. |
| Table tablet | Order and pay on the tablet. Look for an English or globe icon. |
| Kiosk at the door | Order and pay first, then take a seat. Your number appears on a screen when your food is ready. |
Reading the menu
| Word on menu | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 인분 (inbun) | portion, per person (common for barbecue) |
| 공기밥 (gonggi-bap) | a bowl of rice, often ordered separately |
| 추가 (chuga) | extra / add-on |
| 포장 (pojang) | takeaway |
| 맵기 (maepgi) | spice level |
3. Barbecue restaurants
- Many barbecue places require you to order at least two portions of meat, even if you are alone. Check the menu or ask.
- Staff often grill and cut the meat for you. Let them, or ask if you should do it yourself.
- Wrap meat in lettuce with garlic and sauce, and eat it in one bite.
- Rice, soup or cold noodles are usually ordered after the meat.
4. During the meal
- Side dishes (banchan) are free and usually refilled on request. Some places have a self-service corner.
- Water is free and often self-service.
- Cutlery is often in a drawer at the side of the table.
- Scissors are normal. Staff use them to cut meat and noodles.
5. Paying
- Unless you paid at a kiosk or tablet, pay at the counter by the door when you leave. Take your bill or table number with you.
- Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
- Do not tip. It is not expected.
- Splitting the bill is possible but can be slow. Ask before you order if you want separate bills.
Eating alone
Eating alone (혼밥, honbap) is common in Korea. Noodle shops, gimbap places, food courts, convenience stores and many restaurants with counter seats welcome solo diners. Barbecue and hot pot are harder because of portion minimums.
Vegetarian, vegan and halal
Many dishes contain meat or fish stock even when they look vegetarian. Show a clear phrase, and look for restaurants that state vegetarian, vegan or halal options. Temple food restaurants serve plant-based meals.
See also Korean food 101 and Korean etiquette.
Prices, timetables and rules in Korea change often. We check this guide regularly, but please confirm details with the official sources linked above before you travel.