💳 Paying in Korean Restaurants

Two things surprise most visitors: you pay at the counter, and you do not tip.

Step by step

  1. When you are finished, stand up. Nobody will bring the bill to you.
  2. Take the printed slip from your table if there is one. If there is not, the counter already has your table number.
  3. Go to the counter by the door and say 'gyesan haejuseyo' (계산해 주세요) or just hand over your card.
  4. Do not add a tip. There is no line for one, and leaving cash behind will usually get you chased down to return it.
  5. Take your receipt if you plan to claim a tax refund; some restaurants ask whether you want one at all.

No tipping, genuinely

Korea has no tipping culture in restaurants, taxis, hotels or bars. Prices are inclusive and staff are not paid on the assumption of tips. Leaving money is not read as generous but as confusing, and staff will often try to return it. The exception is a small number of hotels and Western-style venues that add a service charge to the bill itself.

Paying at the counter

In almost all Korean restaurants the bill is settled at the register near the entrance, not at the table. Table service payment exists in cafés and upmarket restaurants but is the exception. If a slip of paper was placed on your table when the food arrived, bring it with you.

Splitting the bill

Splitting (더치페이, 'Dutch pay') is completely normal among friends and colleagues, and counter staff will split a bill across several cards without comment. In more traditional settings the most senior person may insist on paying for everyone — accepting is the polite response, not fighting over it.

Tax refunds

Restaurant meals are not eligible for the tourist VAT refund, which applies to goods, not services. Do not spend time collecting restaurant receipts for that purpose. Shops displaying a Tax Free sign issue refund slips for purchases above the minimum amount.

Common questions

Can I pay by card everywhere?Nearly. Card acceptance in Korea is close to universal, including tiny restaurants. Traditional market stalls are the main cash-only holdout.
Do I need cash at all?A small amount is useful for markets, street stalls and older establishments. Everything else takes cards, and contactless works widely.
What if service was outstanding?Saying so is the accepted way to respond. Money is not expected and will usually be declined.
Worth reading before you go
🥓 How to Eat Korean BBQ🥢 Korean Table Manners🗣️ How to Order Without Speaking Korean🍢 Korean Street Food Guide🍶 Korean Drinking Culture🥬 Banchan: Korea's Free Side Dishes
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Read this in: 日本語