Using food delivery apps

Korea has several delivery apps, and sign-up and ordering conditions differ by app. Many ask for Korean phone number verification, but it is not required for every app or order type, and some support overseas numbers or English screens as of November 2026. Another option is asking hotel staff or a Korean friend to order for you.

Most people pay in the app with a registered card. Whether foreign cards work depends on the app and the payment method. Some restaurants on certain apps allow paying the courier on delivery by card or cash, but not every app offers this. Check the available options on the payment screen before ordering.

Search for the road-name address or building name, select it, then add the building and room number in the detailed address field. For officetels and apartments, write how to get through the main entrance in the request notes so the courier can get in. Save your accommodation's address in Korean ahead of time.

Hotel policies differ, and many do not allow couriers up to rooms, asking guests to pick up orders in the lobby. Ask the front desk how deliveries work before ordering, and write a note such as "I will pick up in the lobby." Leave a reachable phone number, as the courier may call on arrival.

Many restaurants set a minimum order amount for delivery and charge a separate delivery fee, called a delivery tip, on top of the food price. Both vary by restaurant, distance and time of day and are shown on the order screen. You do not need to tip the courier separately.

The app shows an estimated arrival time, which depends on distance, order volume and weather. Deliveries can take longer at lunch and dinner peaks, on rainy days and during big sports events. Many apps let you track the delivery in real time.

To cut down on disposables, many delivery apps do not include chopsticks and spoons by default and let you opt in instead. If your accommodation has no utensils, make sure to select the option for cutlery when ordering. Otherwise you may not receive any.

Fried chicken, pizza, jokbal and bossam (pork dishes), jajangmyeon and jjamppong, tteokbokki and jjimdak are especially popular for delivery. Chicken with beer, called chimaek, is a classic delivery tradition. Many restaurants take orders late into the night. Chicken shops usually let you choose flavors such as fried, sweet-spicy sauce, soy garlic or half-and-half.

Some Han River parks in Seoul have designated delivery zones where couriers drop off orders, and picnicking with delivered chicken is popular. Instead of a street address, you enter the delivery zone name or location in the notes. Sort and dispose of your trash according to the park's rules.

Some restaurants offer a free drink or side dish if you promise to write a review. You usually opt in on the order screen or in the request notes. Participating is optional, and you should write an honest review. Free items depend on the restaurant and may change without notice.

You can add delivery requests such as "Please leave it at the door," "Please do not ring the bell" or "Please call when you arrive," and separate cooking requests like "less spicy, please." Short sentences in Korean get through best. You can create them with a translation app and paste them in.

Use your phone's screen translation feature or a translation app's camera to read menus and options. Choosing by photos and prices usually works fine. Take your time on the address entry and checkout screens, where mistakes are easiest to make.

Most delivery apps have a pickup option, so you can order ahead and collect the food at the restaurant. There is no delivery fee, and some places offer a pickup discount. You can also simply walk in and say "pojang hae juseyo" (to go, please).

The general rule is food leftovers in food waste, rinsed plastic containers in recycling, and napkins or heavily soiled packaging in general trash. Each accommodation may have its own system, so check its guidelines. Seoul and many other cities classify chicken bones as general trash rather than food waste, but rules can vary by area.

In big cities, some restaurants deliver late into the night and a few until early morning. Check which places are marked as open in the app before ordering. Late at night, fewer restaurants are available and deliveries may take longer.

Yes. Choose contactless delivery in the request options or write "Please leave it at the door and ring the bell," and the courier will leave it outside. You often receive an arrival notice in the app or by text. For buildings with a locked main door, explain how to get in.

Phone orders are still possible, but you need to explain your address and order in Korean, which can be hard for visitors. Neighborhood Chinese restaurants and chicken shops often list their numbers on flyers or map apps. If Korean is difficult, ask your accommodation staff for help.

Many apps do not let you combine items from several restaurants in one cart, so you usually order from each place separately. For large orders, it helps to contact the restaurant in advance. Menus sold in large units, such as pizza or whole chicken, are convenient for groups.

You can note allergens in the request field, but the restaurant may not see it or may share cooking tools, so safety cannot be guaranteed. If your allergy is severe, choose only food whose ingredients you can be sure of. If you have a reaction, call 119 right away.

The usual route is contacting the app's customer service or chat support, and photos of the food help resolve the issue. You can call the restaurant directly, though that may require Korean. Refunds or redelivery follow the app's and restaurant's policies.