Not all Korean food is spicy, and not every spicy dish can be made mild. Some restaurants let customers choose a spice level. In other places, the broth or sauce has already been prepared, so the heat cannot easily be changed. Before ordering, ask: Quick Guide What you need Korean phrase Ask whether it is … Read more
A Korean meal may arrive with several small dishes placed around the main food. Kimchi, seasoned vegetables, pickles, sauces and other small dishes are commonly called banchan, or side dishes. They are an ordinary part of many Korean meals rather than separate appetisers that must always be ordered individually. Basic side dishes can often be … Read more
Eating at a Korean restaurant is usually straightforward once you understand how that particular restaurant works. The confusing part for first-time visitors is that there is no single system. You may order from a staff member, at a counter, through a kiosk or from a touchscreen at the table. Water and side dishes may be … Read more
You arrive at a popular restaurant in Korea, but there is no clear line outside. Several people may be standing nearby, yet no one seems to be waiting in order. Beside the entrance, you may find a clipboard, a ticket machine or a tablet asking for your group size and mobile phone number. That may … Read more
Eating alone in Korea is usually easier than many visitors expect. Most everyday restaurants have something that one person can order. This is especially common in business districts, shopping areas and neighbourhoods where office workers regularly eat alone. The confusion usually begins when a particular dish, rather than the restaurant itself, requires a minimum order … Read more
You have finished your meal at a restaurant in Korea, but no one brings a bill to your table. Should you wait for a server, take a receipt somewhere, or simply walk towards the entrance? At many Korean restaurants, customers pay at a counter near the entrance after eating. However, some places require payment before … Read more
Eating alone in Korea is not unusual. Office workers may normally have lunch with colleagues, but schedules do not always match. Someone may have a meeting, a deadline or work that cannot be left until later. On those days, eating alone is simply the most practical choice. The same is true outside work. I often … Read more
Your food arrives, but there is no spoon or pair of chopsticks on the table. Before calling a staff member, check the side of the table. The utensils may already be inside a shallow drawer just below the tabletop. A Korean restaurant table drawer can be easy to miss when you do not know where … Read more
You sit down at a Korean restaurant, place your order, and wait for water. A few minutes pass, but no one brings it. Then you notice another customer walking to a water dispenser near the wall and filling a cup. The restaurant may not have forgotten your table. Water could simply be self-service. Self-service in … Read more
A small button on a restaurant table can be confusing when you do not know what it is for. A Korean restaurant call button is usually used to let staff know that someone at the table needs assistance. You may find it near the edge of the table, attached to a wall, or included in … Read more