Tipping and price display

Korea has almost no tipping culture, so it is normal not to tip at restaurants, cafes, taxis or hair salons. You simply pay the price on the menu or tag. If you try to tip, staff may be confused or refuse it, so a sincere thank-you is enough to show appreciation.

Restaurant menus must show final prices that include value-added tax and any service charge, and in most shops you simply pay the amount on the tag. Pricing rules differ by business type and sales method, though, and some hotels still list service charges separately. For online bookings, mandatory fees should in principle be included in the first price shown, so check.

Some hotels list and charge a service fee on room rates or food and beverage, but this is not standard practice everywhere. Online booking prices should include mandatory charges, so check the payment screen. Apart from that, there is no need to tip hotel staff personally, including porters who carry your bags.

Yes. The kimchi and side dishes served with meals at Korean restaurants are usually free, and many places will refill them if you ask. Some restaurants have a self-service side dish station. Certain special side dishes may cost extra, so check if you are unsure.

At most Korean restaurants, water is provided free, and at many it is self-service. If you see a water dispenser or bottles on the table or along the wall, help yourself. Ordering bottled water separately is uncommon, though some upscale or Western-style restaurants may offer it.

Some Korean restaurants ask that each customer order at least one dish, and barbecue places sometimes require a minimum of two portions. If you are dining alone, ask first whether single portions are available. More and more restaurants welcome solo diners, so you will usually find options.

Department stores, supermarkets and chain stores have fixed prices, so bargaining is not done. In traditional markets or some shopping streets, vendors may offer a small discount or a little extra when you buy several items, but aggressive haggling can be rude. If no price is shown, ask before buying.

Foreign tourists who spend above a certain amount at stores showing a Tax Free sign can get part of the VAT back. Some stores deduct it immediately at the counter, while others issue paperwork you process at airport kiosks or refund counters. You must show your passport, and you should check official guidance for the exact rules.

Under Korean law, card merchants may not refuse payment or treat customers less favorably just because they pay by credit card. Some small shops still offer a cash discount. This does not guarantee every foreign card will be approved, but if a shop refuses cards or demands a surcharge, keep a receipt and you can raise the issue with the authorities.

When you order food through Korean delivery apps, a delivery fee is often charged on top of the food price. Some restaurants also have a minimum order amount. There is no custom of tipping the delivery rider, and the fees are shown clearly before you confirm the order.

A VAT line on a receipt usually just shows the tax already included in the price. A separate service charge means an upscale restaurant or hotel has added a fee for service. If anything on the bill is unclear, ask the staff before paying, which is perfectly acceptable.

Where there are no price tags, ask the price first and compare with other shops if it seems too high. In taxis, make sure the meter is running and get a receipt. If you are overcharged, you can report it through the tourist complaint service or the 1330 hotline.

Korea requires restaurants and shops to display prices, so most menus and shelves show them. Some market stalls and street vendors may not, so ask before ordering. If you are charged differently from the displayed price, you have the right to question it.

Most bars charge for what you order, but some require you to order a basic snack dish with drinks. Karaoke rooms charge by the hour or per song. Bars and clubs may have cover charges or table fees, so ask in advance to avoid surprises on the bill.

Tipping is not customary at hair salons, nail salons or massage shops either. You pay the listed price, and if there are add-on services, ask about the cost beforehand. If you enjoyed the service, a thank-you or a good review is the usual way to show it.

Domestic tours in Korea usually do not expect tips, but group tours booked through overseas travel agencies may include tips in their terms. Check the tour description for any tipping guidance. If nothing is mentioned, a heartfelt thank-you is enough.

Prices are written as a number followed by won, and larger amounts are often abbreviated using man, meaning ten thousand. For example, 1 man won means 10,000 won. Some menus write a price as 9.0 to mean 9,000 won, but this is an informal style rather than an official format, so ask before ordering if you are unsure.

At most Korean restaurants, you pay at the counter near the exit after finishing your meal. Bring the bill or number tag from your table. Some upscale restaurants and bars handle payment at the table instead, so follow what the staff indicate.

At sashimi and seafood restaurants, items marked market price change in cost depending on that day's market rates. Always ask the price before ordering and check whether it is sold by weight. Confirming in advance prevents misunderstandings when the bill arrives.

You can report overcharging or price display violations to the tourist complaint service or the 1330 Korea Travel Hotline. Keeping the receipt, photos and the shop's name and location helps resolve the case. For taxi fare issues, be sure to note the vehicle number.