If it's your first time visiting Korea, ordering food can feel a little intimidating.
You walk into a restaurant, but no one greets you. Some people head straight to a kiosk, while others sit down and start tapping on a tablet. Meanwhile, you're standing at the entrance wondering what you're supposed to do.
The good news is that ordering food in Korea is much easier than it looks.
You don't need to speak Korean, memorize complicated phrases, or worry about making a cultural mistake. Once you understand the few ordering systems Korean restaurants use, you'll be able to eat almost anywhere with confidence.
Here's exactly what to expect.
The First Thing to Do When You Walk In
Instead of rushing to find an empty table, take five seconds to look around.
That quick glance usually tells you everything you need to know.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Is there a large touchscreen kiosk near the entrance?
- Does every table have a tablet?
- Are other customers ordering at the counter?
- Is a staff member guiding people to their seats?
Different restaurants use different systems, so there isn't one "correct" way to order.
Once you figure out which system the restaurant uses, the rest is surprisingly straightforward.
Local Tip
If you're unsure, simply watch what the customer in front of you does. It might feel awkward for a moment, but it's often the fastest way to understand how that particular restaurant works.
Three Ways You'll Usually Order Food in Korea
Although every restaurant is a little different, almost all of them fall into one of these three categories.
1. A Staff Member Takes Your Order
This is the most familiar system and is still common in local restaurants, family-owned places, and traditional Korean restaurants.
After you sit down, someone will usually bring you a menu or come over to take your order.
If nobody comes after a few minutes, don't assume you're being ignored.
Many tables have a small call button that lets you ask for assistance whenever you're ready.
This surprises a lot of visitors because pressing a button to call the staff feels unusual.
In Korea, though, it's completely normal. You're not bothering anyone—that's exactly what the button is there for.
So don't spend ten minutes trying to make eye contact with the staff.
Just press the button once, and someone will usually come over within a few moments.
2. Ordering From a Tablet
Tablets have become incredibly common, especially at Korean BBQ restaurants, chain restaurants, pubs, and newer casual dining spots.
In many places, you'll never need to speak to a staff member at all.
Simply sit down, browse the menu, choose your dishes, and press the order button.
Most restaurants in tourist areas also offer an English menu, and many include photos of every dish.
One thing worth checking before you confirm your order is the quantity.
At Korean BBQ restaurants, for example, selecting one item usually means one serving, not one plate for the entire table.
If two people are eating, you'll often need to order two or three servings to start.
It's a small detail, but it's one that catches many first-time visitors off guard.
3. Ordering at a Kiosk
Kiosks are everywhere in Korea.
You'll see them at burger restaurants, noodle shops, cafés, food courts, and many restaurants designed for solo diners.
The process is usually simple:
- Choose Dine In or Take Out
- Select your food
- Confirm your order
- Pay with your card
- Wait for your order number
Even if the kiosk looks intimidating at first, don't panic.
Most locals don't rush through it either. You'll often see Korean customers standing there for a minute or two while deciding what to eat.
Take your time.
No one expects you to finish in ten seconds.
Traveler Tip
If there's a line behind you and you're feeling pressured, step aside for a moment, look at the menu displayed outside the restaurant, or decide what you want on your phone first. It'll make using the kiosk much less stressful.
Don't Worry If You Don't Speak Korean
This is probably the biggest concern for first-time visitors.
The good news is that you can order successfully without saying much at all.
Many restaurants have picture menus, and simply pointing at what you want is perfectly acceptable.
If the menu doesn't have photos, translation apps like Google Translate or Papago work surprisingly well for menu items.
Restaurant staff in tourist areas are also used to helping international visitors.
They won't expect perfect Korean.
As long as they understand which dish you want and how many servings you'd like, that's usually enough.
Sometimes, a smile and a finger pointing at the menu are more effective than trying to pronounce a difficult Korean dish name.
One Thing Many Tourists Don't Notice
One of the easiest mistakes to make isn't the language.
It's the serving size.
Some Korean dishes aren't designed for one person.
Korean BBQ, dakgalbi(Spicy grilled chicken), hot pot, and certain seafood dishes are often priced per serving, and some restaurants require a minimum order of two servings.
That means the menu might show 18,000 won, but if the minimum order is two servings, your actual starting price will be 36,000 won.
Before ordering, it's worth checking whether the dish is meant to be shared.
It only takes a few seconds, and it can save you from an unexpected bill—or the disappointment of finding out you can't order it alone.
Example
Korean BBQ (Samgyeopsal)
- 18,000 won × 2 servings = 36,000 won for two people
Pork Back-bone Stew (Gamjatang)
- Small size = Usually enough for two people
Tip: Korean BBQ is usually priced per serving, while dishes like gamjatang or jeongol are usually priced by pot size.
