Food & Drink
What to order, how restaurants work, markets, cafés and dietary needs.
Guides for this section are being researched and checked. Meanwhile, start with the Start Here page or the Getting Around guides.
About this section
Eating in Korea is cheap, fast and very social, and a few conventions make the difference between an easy meal and an awkward one.
How restaurants work. Many Korean restaurants specialise in one dish, and some — especially barbecue places — expect a minimum of two portions. Side dishes (banchan) are free and refillable. Water is usually self-service. More places now order through a tablet on the table or a kiosk at the entrance; most have an English option, but some only accept Korean phone numbers or local cards for app-based ordering.
Markets and street food. Traditional markets are the cheapest way to try many dishes in one go. Busy stalls turn food over quickly, which is a good sign.
Cafés. Korea has a huge café culture, from big chains to tiny independent roasters. Cafés are also where many people work and study, so seats can be hard to find in student areas at peak times.
Dietary needs. Vegetarian and vegan eating takes planning: many broths and side dishes contain fish or meat stock even when the main ingredient is vegetables. Carry a short note in Korean describing what you can’t eat.
Food guides — by dish, city and dietary need — will be published here with sources. For costs and budgeting, see Planning Guides.