How Korean restaurants work

Staff will usually ask how many people are in your group or simply wave you to a table. Holding up fingers for the number works fine. In some places you order and pay at a kiosk by the door first, or add your name to a waiting list if it is busy.

Yes, drinking water is free in nearly all Korean restaurants. Staff may bring a bottle and cups, or there may be a water dispenser where you serve yourself. If you see a sign saying water is self-service, just go and fill your own cup.

In Korea it is normal to raise your hand and call out "jeogiyo" or "yeogiyo," which simply means "excuse me" or "over here." Many tables also have a call button you can press. Staff tend not to check in often, so calling them when you need something is expected, not rude.

Many restaurant tables have a small call button for staff. Press it once when you are ready to order or need something, and a server will come over. There is no need to press it repeatedly; give them a moment, as they may be busy with other tables.

In many Korean restaurants the cutlery is kept in a small drawer built into the side of the table, or in a holder on the table. Try opening the drawer at the table edge. Napkins or tissues are usually on the table or at the self-service area.

At most Korean restaurants you pay at the counter near the entrance after eating, rather than at the table. Bring the bill or order slip left on your table. Restaurants that use kiosks or tablet ordering may require payment at the time you order instead.

Tipping is not customary in Korea, and you do not need to leave anything. Restaurants are required to show final menu prices that already include VAT and any service charge, so you normally just pay the listed price. A friendly "jal meogeosseumnida" (thank you for the meal) is a nice way to show appreciation.

Card payments are accepted almost everywhere in Korea, including small restaurants. Most places take foreign cards, but some tiny eateries or market stalls may prefer cash or only accept domestic payment methods. Carrying a little cash as a backup is a good idea.

Yes, some barbecue, stew and hot pot restaurants require a minimum order of two portions. Look for a note on the menu stating a two-serving minimum. If you are dining alone, places serving set meals, soups or rice bowls usually have single portions available.

It is normal to decide quickly and call staff to order soon after you sit down. Food in Korean restaurants tends to come out fast once ordered, and servers may not come by to ask, so do not wait for them. In many places the menu is posted on the wall rather than handed to you.

It depends on the restaurant. Many give you a disposable wet wipe or keep a box of tissues on the table. Barbecue restaurants often provide aprons to protect your clothes from splatter. If you need something, just ask the staff.

Yes. Restaurants with floor seating, where you sit on cushions at low tables, expect you to remove your shoes before stepping up. If you see shoes lined up at the edge, follow suit. Many places also have regular tables and chairs, so ask for one if sitting on the floor is uncomfortable.

Hours vary, but many restaurants close briefly between lunch and dinner for a break time. Some also have a regular closing day each week, so check a map app or the sign at the door. A number of places, such as hangover soup or snack shops, stay open around the clock.

Break time is a pause between lunch and dinner service when a restaurant stops taking customers to prepare. It usually falls in the mid-afternoon, though the exact hours differ by place. Arriving during break time often means you cannot order, so check the hours posted at the door or online.

Many restaurants will pack leftovers if you ask. Say "pojang-hae juseyo" (please wrap it up) and staff will often put the food in a container. Some may decline for soupy dishes or certain side dishes, so it depends on the place.

Restaurants in tourist areas and big cities increasingly offer English, Japanese or Chinese menus. Many menus include photos, so pointing works well. Where there is no foreign-language menu, a translation app with a camera function can help you read the Korean text.

Yes, eating alone is common in Korea and even has a name, honbap. Soup, rice set meal, snack and noodle restaurants are especially easy for solo diners. At busy lunch hours, choosing a counter seat or a small table is considerate if the place is crowded.

Usually, yes. After you order, the side dishes are set out first and the main dish follows. It is fine to start nibbling on them while you wait. At barbecue restaurants, lettuce, dipping sauces and other accompaniments typically arrive before the meat.

Dessert is not usually part of a Korean restaurant meal. Some places leave mints, candy or a coffee machine near the counter for customers to help themselves on the way out. Many Koreans head to a cafe afterward for coffee and dessert instead.

Korean diners tend to leave fairly soon after finishing, especially at busy lunch hours or popular places with a queue. People who want to keep talking usually move on to a cafe or bar. If the restaurant is quiet, staying a little longer is generally fine.