Food is a very important part of Korean culture. Explore Hong Kong Through the 360° Virtual Reality Tour! As this is in contrast to what many foreigners are used to in their home country, it is important to become familiar with some general guidelines: Tipping at the end of a meal in a South Korean restaurant is not usual. El Nido or The Phi Phi Islands? Instead of pouring your own drink, the traditional custom is for you to serve others and allow them to refill for your cup in return! Before you start shoving delicious dakgalbi in your mouth, pick up your spoon, and sample the soups and jiggae (stew) first! anchovies.Ojinguhchae Muchim: Season dried shredded squid. To avoid any problems with the law, abstain from drinking completely before getting behind the wheel. Think of this as an orchestra instead of a series of soloists. Helpful hints for setting the perfect table! Alternatively, you can also place one of your hands under your pouring arm when pouring or lightly over your elbow if you are the one receiving the drink — both options are perfectly acceptable and respectful. Koreans talk over coffee or drinks, not food. This custom transcends age, so don’t be surprised if an elder refills your cup. If you see an elder with an empty glass, try to fill it up as soon as possible as a common courtesy and a sign of respect. Three examples: Musengchae: Spicy seasoned radish that will cut right through the savory grilled meat on the table.Buchuhjeon: Garlic chive pancakes that may erase your memory of sweet pancakes.Dubu Jorim: A recipe that turns tofu's blank canvas into a bright and vibrant work of art. It’s also an indication that you’re a fan of the host’s cooking, which is always a good thing! Translated, it roughly means “I will eat well!”. Even if you're eating with fellow tourists, try to follow Korean etiquette. This means that you have to serve yourself with your own chopsticks. I know it’s hard to resist digging in when you first lay eyes of piping hot food, but in South Korea, it is considered rude to start eating before your elders. Couple helpings of meat or spoonfuls of stew with rice for extra chewiness and balanced flavor. In other words, if pork bulgogi is the central protein, there might still be a smaller portion of a fish or beef dish somewhere on the table. If you notice that you are going to be finished with your food while everyone is still on their first few bits, you might want to slow it down. . The same goes for eating. Here, we offer a brief primer on some of the most essential dining elements in Korea — foundational practices and other miscellaneous methods that distinguish it from Western cultures. This is because it resembles what happens at a Korean funeral ceremony, which you definitely don’t want to think about at dinnertime! Besides, if you have room for dessert, you didn’t do dinner right. If you’re eating a meal in Korea and side dishes are ordered, chances are that you’ll be sharing the sides with other guests at the table. This is extremely taboo because it looks like incense honouring the dead. As some of these Korean foods become more familiar and inspire fusion experiments (kimchi quesadillas are "a thing"), it begs the question: How do Korean people really eat? Usually the one who does the inviting pays the bill, although the guest is expected to make an effort to pay. The same applies to spas. Eat Korean Barbeque Like a Pro. And now that you are the master of them, you can impress anyone socially when you’re in Korea! If paying by cash, satisfied passengers can tell the driver to keep the change. Personally, I quite like this one! However, it’s still normal among Koreans to share all the food in front of them with everyone they are eating with. Not only is this a way to compliment the chef/host, it also conveys a sense of gratitude for the food. In South Korea, it is expected that you wait until the senior person is served and begins to eat before you begin eating or drinking. Korean BBQ restaurants, with their fiery table grills and platters of meat, are popping up in city after city. Want to seem extra polite? To show, and receive, the respect of South Korean business associates the following behavior should be adopted: It is also important to be aware of the hierarchical structure of South Korean companies. Follow her on Twitter at @michelle_no and on Instagram at @michellenope. Keep your chopsticks on top of the bowl or beside the bowl on the table instead to avoid a faux pas. In the main tourist areas and large cities such as Seoul, staff are accustomed to western travelers and, although a tip will not be expected, it is unlikely to cause offense. If none of this strikes you as irrational, then you've got some learning to do. [...], Incheon is the third-largest city in Korea and makes up an important part of the Seoul metropolitan area’s transportation hub. The toast in Korea is cangai, which means "bottoms up" or "drain the glass." The honored guest sits on the side of the table farthest from the door. The biggest thing I took away from Korean food, meals, and culture surrounding them though, is the communal way of eating – and the wide variety of food and flavors you will taste in just one sitting. (Trust us. If your elders offer you a drink, unless there is an extreme reason why you cannot drink, don’t refuse it. It is not considered appropriate for adults to eat whilst walking. . Other food and eating etiquette in South Korea Try not to touch food if you don't intend to eat it. Korean Barbeque is an internationally-popular dish. When you’re having a group meal in South Korea (especially with locals) you will most likely also have a side of alcoholic drinks to be shared at the table. Dishes are set out simultaneously and shared amongst the guests. Korean Table Manner #2: Oldest Eats First, Korean Table Manner #3: Tell That You Will Eat Well, Korean Table Manner #4: Match Eating Speed, Korean Table Manner #6: Utensil Etiquette, Korean Table Manner #7: Big and Small Plates, Korean Table Manner #8: Alcoholic Drink Etiquette, Korean Table Manner #9: Chopstick Placement, Korean Table Manner #10: Timing Your Finish, Korean Table Manner #11: Use a Clean Spoon for Serving Side Dishes, Korean Table Manner #12: Don’t Extend Your Reach Too Far, Korean Table Manner #13: Be Aware of Toasting Dos and Don’ts, Korean Table Manner #14: There is a Correct Way to Eat Rice (Yes, really), amazing Korean food that the country has to offer, Learn the Korean Alphabet & Read the Hangul Characters, Korean Phrases: The Ultimate List for 2020, Korean – Overview and History of the Language, How to Speak Korean – Online Guide for Conversational Fluency, The Most Common Korean Words and Basic Vocabulary, Top 28 Korean Drama Words & Phrases for K-Drama Fans, Korean Slang – 101 Popular Words & Phrases in 2020, My Korean Name: Choose Your Very Own Name in Korean. Enjoy a flavor, take a break, and then come back to it. Now that you can FINALLY start putting food in your mouth, did you know that there’s actually a specific order to eating in South Korea? While rice is a staple, it is not necessary to eat every grain of rice in your bowl (and there are some Korean dishes where rice is served on the plate with the food); leaving some is fine. The chopsticks are used only for side dishes. Don’t be shy to offer them a taste of your meal, and do accept it if they offer you a taste of theirs. The eldest at the table eats first. It’s just generally a rude thing to do. Even if you want to finish those last few bites, your spoon should be more than adequate to get the job done! Again, leaving a tip at a hotel is not common and may be refused. Never use your fingers; always use your chopsticks. What is also considered quite rude among Koreans is if you stick your chopsticks straight into your bowl of rice (not to mention that it looks pretty silly). If it is not clear whether it is permitted in a particular place, it’s better not to smoke. Take the time to appreciate them. What table manners should you follow when having a meal with Koreans? Visitors may not know that, in 2019, the maximum blood alcohol content (BAC) was reduced to 0.03%. In restaurants where you grill your own meat and stir your own soup, usually, one person of the party is given the duty to be in charge of the grilling and the stirring. Banchan: Banchan translates to "dishes that complement rice," but the translation is often simplified to "side dishes." Of course, I’m not saying you should say these words after ordering a Happy Meal at McDonald’s! Financial penalties accumulate daily and foreigners may face issues gaining access to the country in the future. Dishes are set out simultaneously and shared amongst the guests. When you are out eating with Koreans, or especially if you have been invited to their house, knowing your way around Korean table manners is an incredibly nifty way to show your respect towards the local culture.