Korean Restaurant Guide | How to Order, Call Buttons, Banchan, Paying & Dining Etiquette

One of the absolute highlights of traveling to Korea is diving into the local food scene. But stepping into a Korean restaurant for the first time can leave you with a flurry of questions: "Can I just sit anywhere?", "How do I get the server's attention?", "Should I leave a tip?"

Dining in Korea comes with a few unique quirks—like call buttons at your table, self-serve water stations, complimentary side dishes, and paying at the front register rather than your table. Knowing what to expect makes dining out effortless so you can eat like a local.

Here is your step-by-step guide to ordering, dining, and navigating Korean restaurant etiquette from the moment you walk in to when you pay.

1. Getting Seated

At many restaurants in Korea, you can simply walk in and grab any open table without waiting to be seated. However, popular spots might ask for your party size at the entrance or require you to sign a waiting list, so take a quick look around when you enter. Holding up your fingers to show how many people are in your party is totally fine and instantly understood.

If you are seated in a traditional floor-seating area with cushions, make sure to take your shoes off before stepping up onto the raised floor. Place your shoes in the shoe rack if there is one available. Wearing slip-on shoes makes this process much easier after a long day of walking around.

Pro Tips:

• Check the side drawer attached to your table or a container on the table for your chopsticks and spoons.
• Water is often self-serve, either from a pitcher left on your table or a water dispenser located somewhere in the restaurant.
• Napkins are usually kept right on the table or inside the side drawer.

2. How to Order: Call Buttons, 'Jeogiyo,' and Tablets

① How to Get the Server's Attention

If there's a call button on your table, give it a press! A server will come over to take your order. If there isn't one, simply raise your hand slightly and say "Jeogiyo" (excuse me). In Korea, it is completely natural and customary for guests to call over the server whenever they need something.

② Ordering via Tablet or QR Code

Many restaurants these days let you order right from your table using a tablet or QR code. Scanning the QR code with your phone opens up an online ordering page where you can select dishes and even pay. Some restaurants in Seoul also offer multilingual QR menus, so you can order even if you don't speak Korean.

If the menu doesn't feature pictures, use the camera mode on your translation app, or simply point at what you want and say "Igeo juseyo" (this one, please). Some places, such as BBQ restaurants, list a minimum order quantity on the menu, so check that as well.

3. Side Dishes Are Complimentary—Ask for Refills!

When your meal arrives, it will come with several small dishes of complimentary side items like kimchi and seasoned vegetables, known as banchan. Servings of banchan are an essential part of Korean dining culture, so they will automatically arrive with your main dish without you having to order them separately.

When you run low, you can ask your server for a refill, or help yourself if there's a self-serve side dish bar. Given rising ingredient prices, good dining etiquette is to take only as much as you can eat.

4. Essential Tips for Korean BBQ Spots

At a Korean BBQ restaurant, you cook your own meat right on a grill built into the center of your table. Depending on the spot, servers might help grill and cut the meat for you, or you might do it yourself. If it's your first time, feel free to ask the staff for a hand!

• The scissors and tongs on your table are for cutting and flipping the meat—using kitchen shears to cut food is completely normal and very common in Korea.
• Since meat smoke can stick to your clothes, ask the staff if there's a place to store your jacket.
• The grill plate gets extremely hot, so take extra care if you're dining with kids.

5. Dining Etiquette for Shared Meals

In Korea, stews, main dishes, and side dishes are usually shared family-style. It's best to transfer shared food to your personal plate before eating, and do the same with dipping sauces to keep things clean and hygienic.

• When dining with older adults, custom dictates that you wait until the oldest person at the table lifts their spoon or chopsticks before you begin eating.
• Never stick your chopsticks upright into a bowl of rice, as this is associated with funeral rites and considered rude. Rest them flat on your bowl or a napkin instead.
• Don't hold your spoon and chopsticks in the same hand at the same time. Simply set one down while using the other.
• Avoid clinking your utensils against bowls or making loud noises while dining.
• If you need to cough or sneeze, turn your head away from the table and cover your mouth.

6. Paying the Bill: No Tipping Required

When you're ready to leave, take the bill slip from your table to the cashier desk near the entrance. If you ordered using a table tablet or QR code, you may have already paid when ordering, so be sure to double-check.

Tipping is not customary in Korea. Under Korea's all-inclusive pricing system, menu prices already include all taxes and service fees, so you only pay the exact amount listed on the menu. On your way out, try saying "Jal meogeotseumnida" ("I ate well / Thank you for the meal"). It's a small gesture, but the staff will truly appreciate it!

7. Pro Tips for Dining at Korean Restaurants

• Popular spots get super busy during peak lunch and dinner hours. Try eating slightly earlier or later to beat the rush.
• If you're traveling solo, check the menu first for single-portion options.
• Worried about spicy food? Try asking, "An maepge hae juseyo" (Please make it non-spicy). Keep in mind that some dishes can't be adjusted.
• If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, use a translation app to confirm with the staff before ordering.
• Before leaving your table, double-check that you haven't forgotten your phone, wallet, or shopping bags.

8. Want to Enjoy Korean Food Comfortably at Your Stay?

After a full day of walking around, waiting in line at a restaurant can feel exhausting. In times like that, order Korean food straight to your accommodation with WOWKOREA SERVICE Food Delivery. You can browse menus and order in foreign languages, taking the stress out of reading Korean.

Enjoy a hearty dish like Beef Bulgogi Namul Bibimbap from BonBibimbap right from your room, or order from top fried chicken brands like Kyochon and bhc. Before ordering, check the WOW Special coupon page for available discounts.

If traveling across town to famous food spots doesn't fit your schedule, book a WOWKOREA SERVICE Private Van to get around comfortably without worrying about your luggage.

※ Ordering, payment, and side dish service can vary slightly depending on the restaurant. When in doubt, feel free to ask the staff. Please check the app for the latest menu and coupon details before placing your order.