Eating at Korean Restaurants: 10 Things First-Time Visitors Should Know — Part 1

 

Eating alone in Korea is much easier than many first-time visitors expect.

There's even a Korean word for it: honbap (혼밥), which simply means eating alone.

But not every Korean restaurant works the same way. 

Some meals are perfect for one person, while others are traditionally meant to be shared.

Here are five things worth knowing before you walk into a restaurant alone in Korea.

1. Eating alone is completely normal

Eating alone isn't unusual in Korea.

You'll see people eating by themselves at noodle restaurants, soup restaurants, food courts and many casual local places.

Meals like gukbap (rice with soup), noodles, bibimbap and many stews are especially easy to order for one person.

So if you see a small local restaurant that looks interesting, don't assume you need someone with you.

I don't eat alone very often, but I do sometimes. 

When I do, I usually choose somewhere simple where I can have a quick meal rather than a restaurant built around sharing food.

That is quite a normal choice in Korea. Eating alone doesn't mean you have to look for a special "solo dining" restaurant.

2. Some Korean meals are meant to be shared

This is where things can be a little confusing for first-time visitors.

Some Korean dishes are served in a large pan or pot in the middle of the table and are normally shared.

Hot pots and large stir-fried dishes are often meant for two or more people, and some BBQ restaurants may have a minimum order.

That doesn't necessarily mean the restaurant doesn't welcome solo diners. Sometimes it's simply how that particular dish is sold.

If you're unsure, you can simply ask "Honja dwaeyo?" (혼자 돼요?), which means "Is it okay to eat here alone?" You can also show "1명" (one person) on your phone.

3. Korean BBQ can be a little different for solo diners

Korean BBQ is definitely worth trying, but eating alone can sometimes be trickier than ordering a bowl of noodles or soup.

Personally, I rarely go to a Korean BBQ restaurant alone. 

I'm much more used to going with family or friends, and if I'm eating alone, I usually choose a simpler restaurant or grab something easy from a convenience store.

That doesn't mean you can't eat Korean BBQ alone. 

Some restaurants are perfectly happy to serve solo diners, while others have minimum-order requirements, often based on portions rather than the number of people at the table.

So one person may be welcome but still be asked to order two portions of meat.

If Korean BBQ is high on your list, it's worth checking the restaurant's menu or minimum order before sitting down.

4. Kiosks and tablets can actually make things easier

Many Korean restaurants now use kiosks near the entrance or ordering tablets at the table.

At first they can look confusing, especially when you're eating alone and there's no one to ask.

But many newer systems offer an English-language option.

And once you figure them out, they can actually make solo dining easier because you can look through the menu and order at your own pace.

If there's no English option, a translation app can help with unfamiliar menu items. Papago is one popular option in Korea.

5. Don't avoid local restaurants just because you're alone

Some of the best meals in Korea aren't found in restaurants designed specifically for tourists.

A small neighborhood restaurant may have no English menu and very little English spoken, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't go in.

Pointing at a menu photo, using a translation app, or simply saying "Honja dwaeyo?" can often get you surprisingly far.

And if a particular restaurant or dish requires two people, don't take it personally — just try somewhere else.

From a Korean perspective, I really wouldn't worry too much about going into a local restaurant just because you don't speak Korean. 

Have a translation app ready and ask if you need help.

In my experience, people will often try to help when they realize you're having trouble communicating, even if they don't speak much English themselves.

There are plenty of Korean meals that are perfect for solo travelers, and eating alone can be a great way to experience the kind of everyday restaurants Koreans actually use.

Continue to Part 2: Eating at Korean Restaurants: 10 Things First-Time Visitors Should Know — Part 2