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
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
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
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
A calm guide to how chopsticks, spoons, side dishes, and basic manners work together at a Korean table. Why Korean Chopsticks Can Feel Unfamiliar at First Korean chopsticks can feel unfamiliar to many international visitors, even if they have used chopsticks before. The shape, material, and table habits may be different from what people have … Read more
A first trip to Korea can feel easy in many practical ways. Subway stations are well connected, buses run often, and many popular areas are used to welcoming visitors from other countries. Still, daily life in Korea has small customs that may not be obvious on the first day. These customs are not strict rules … Read more