15 Easy To Learn Korean Table Manners & Etiquettes

If you are interested in learning how to eat respectfully the South Korean way, I’ve gathered 15 Easy To Learn Korean Table Manners & Etiquettes that you can practice today.

Each country has its unique list of good dining manners. South Korea is no exception. In rural, urban areas, and provinces, there are practices in dining that a foreigner must try to follow with respect to the traditions and beliefs of this unique Asian culture.

Whether you are going to eat in someone’s house, or a restaurant with your or someone’s family, you should at least know some of the South Korean Table Manners.

Also, please remember that while cultures are different in each part of the world, remember that you are a visitor, so try to emulate or simulate how Koreans act and how their culture works.

A tourist VISA is not the end of your planning, you should also prepare how you will interact and behave in dining alongside South Koreans.

Now you are not actually required to actually follow these etiquettes or say the words below.

So why should you still read this?

A simple and genuine display of appreciation to the Koreans who exert effort in hospitality would be very sweet for them. Guaranteed.

Watch them smile when you say Korean words or gestures. And don’t forget to smile too while saying it!

I went to a Facebook group called Korea Travel Guide where I went in and asked Koreans about some of the Korean words I am going to use here and see if they find any mistakes.

Note that this blog post is focused on how to eat with South Koreans in general as eating with elders is another story and has its unique points as well.

What Are Some Korean Table Manners Before Eating?

Saying “Jal meoggessseubnida” ( 잘 먹겠습니다 ) Before Eating Your Meal

I get it, your stomach is rumbling, you traveled so far that you need food, or you really wanted to try that South Korean food that you are dreaming of tasting.

However, part of the South Korean dining etiquette is saying “I will enjoy this food”.

This is considered very polite especially when you are eating at someone’s home as it means that you are looking forward to the meal that’s served on the table.

How do you pronounce Jal mukkesseubnida?

You pronounce it as chal-mok-ett-soom-ni-da.

Saying “Jal meogeulgeyo” ( 잘 먹을게요 ) Before Eating Your Meal

This is another way of being polite before eating.

With the addition of 요 at the end of the sentence, it raises its politeness, however, both are right and safe to say. So choose one and say it proudly and happily.

How do you pronounce Jal meogeulgeyo?

You pronounce it as chal-mog-gul-ge-yo.

Here is a simple table of some basic South Korean phrases you can say before eating that I will also use in the future.

English	Korean	Pronunciation
I will enjoy this food	잘 먹겠습니다	chal-mok-ett-soom-ni-da
I will eat well	잘 먹을게요	chal-mog-gul-ge-yo
Thank you	감사합니다	gam-sa-ham-ni-da
Enjoy your meal	맛있게 드세요	ma-sit-ge-doo-se-yo

What Is The South Korean Dining Etiquette During A Meal?

Learn how to properly sneeze

Yes, sneezing is sometimes uncontrollable, but it doesn’t change the fact that it is rude to sneeze openly to a person and the food on the table as it carries germs. Nobody likes that right?

South Korean or not, be mindful of your health and everyone else’s.

What should you do when you are about to sneeze?

Face the other way from the table or cover your mouth with a table napkin or your own hands. Don’t forget to clean your hands after.

Also, say “Excuse me.” even if you are eating alone in a restaurant or someone’s house.

Excuse Yourself When You Are About To Blow Your Nose

If you really have a bad, itchy, and runny nose, it is best to excuse yourself first.

Find an empty place and start blowing your nose. This is very respectful and it is better to blow your nose in full glory alone instead of doing it alongside your companions or even the people who are simultaneously eating around you.

Do not forget to bring some tissue with you when you are excusing yourself from the table.

How do you say “Excuse me” in Korean?

There are lots of Korean phrases that translate to “Excuse me”. It also varies on different occasions

However, the best variation would be “sillyehabnida” ( 실례합니다 )and its pronunciation is shil-lye-hap-ni-da.

How do you say “I am sorry” in Korean?

You can say 미안합니다 and its pronunciation would be mee-an-hap-ni-dah.

FUN FACT: Koreans will tell you if someone remembers or thinks about you when you sneeze 😉

Refill others’ glasses or cups before yours

Always prioritize refilling the cups or glasses of the oldest person on the table.

This is more of a vice-versa situation as you are responsible to keep your glass filled while your companion needs to keep your glass filled as well.

Know your limits if you are drinking alcohol. If you are getting tipsy, just stop.

Drinking is supposed to be fun with friends, colleagues, or family. No one wants to see a drunk visitor going loose at the bar or outside. ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A VISITOR. I am not mad, but you get the point, right?

Drink responsibly.

Chew with your mouth closed

This one is easy, chew your food with your mouth closed as it looks more proper and it prevents your food from scattering all over the place.

Also, no one wants to see someone eating like a chewing goat.

Accept dishes and drinks with both hands

To be honest, this applies to anything that you are receiving from a Korean.

Always accept anything with both of your hands.

It is ok if you don’t know, but it is considered rude if you receive anything with one hand.

Take control of your eating speed or pace

If someone is eating slowly then don’t rush on consuming your food, if they are fast then don’t linger.

Enjoy your food and the moment you are in.

Spoons and chopsticks have different and specific uses in South Korea

Unlike some other Asian countries, South Korea has a different way of using these dining utensils.

You use a spoon for rice, stews, and soups, while you use chopsticks for any other type of food.

Do Koreans use forks?

According to some South Koreans, they use forks sometimes when eating fruits, pasta, or pork cutlets.

Can Koreans eat with their hands?

No. You cannot eat with your hands or pick up foods using your hands.

In some countries such as the Philippines, Malaysia, and India, eating with your fingers (or basically, with your hands) is fine as it is part of the culture.

Do not use your hands to pick up food

Use your chopsticks instead to pick up food instead of passing around the shared dishes.

Can you use both chopsticks and a spoon at the same time?

No. Use them separately on different hands. Also, use them one at a time and not simultaneously.

Do not pick up your bowl

Yes, some Asian countries do this but exclude South Korea.

It will be more polite to South Koreans around your table or the place if you keep your bowl of soup or your bowl of rice on the table.

Don’t dig down when there are shared dishes

Don’t poke, flip, or dig the food on the shared dishes. Pick up what’s on the top.

Do not put your chopsticks upright during and after eating

The right way to place your chopsticks if you need to pause eating is by resting them on top of the bowl.

Now when you are finished eating, place the chopsticks in their original location when it was prepared for you before eating.

Are There Any South Korean Dining Etiquettes After Eating?

Do not tip.

If for example, you had a perfect time with servers or with the food served to you, and you want to tip…don’t even think about it.

Most Koreans are not in favor of the practice of tipping as they believe that you paid for great service and you should not pay extra.

They will politely refuse if you do, and if that happens, just thank them back and it will be surely appreciated.

However, if there is a tipping jar, go ahead and put some in.

Saying “jal meogeosseumnida” ( 잘 먹었습니다 ) after eating a meal

This means “I ate well“.

Now this is kind of universal, but giving your thanks to the one who prepared your meal or that one friend who asked you out will always be a display of your appreciation for them

How do you pronounce jal meogeosseumnida?

You pronounce it as chal-muh-got-sub-ni-da.

Speak gratitude to the servers and receptionists before leaving

Earlier, I said that you should not tip servers if there is no tipping jar.

If you want to show your gratitude to them, a simple “Thank You.” or a Korean phrase would be enough.

How do you say “Thank You.” in Korean?

You can say “Kamsahamnida” (감사합니다) and its pronunciation would be gam-sa-ham-ni-da.

CONCLUSION

After researching these, I learned that the way of eating food in different places would contribute to the impression the people around me will make.

People might judge you and others might not. This applies to any country you’ll visit.

Also, it is okay not to know these, South Koreans will understand it, but taking the time to learn a place’s table manners & etiquette will not only show what you are as a visitor but also as a person who respects the culture and the people living where you are visiting from.