Korean food has taken off with K-POP but apart from feeling confident about eating kimchi, how confident do you feel about eating at a Korean table without offending everyone around, especially the host?
Here are 10 do's and don'ts when it comes to eating at a Korean table.
The Do's
Accept food from others with both hands. This shows respect for the person serving you.
Start eating only once everyone at the table is served. It is considered rude to eat ahead of others, especially elders.
Use your spoon to eat rice and soup. It is considered bad manners to use chopsticks for these dishes.
During the meal, inedible parts such as bones or fish boense are quiety discarded by wrapping them in paper and set aside so that others won't see them.
When finished eating, place your chopsticks and spoon neatly on your side dish plate. This signals to the host that you are finished eating.
Step away from the table to blow your nose. Blowing your nose at the table is considered rude and unsanitary.
Leave your phone away from the table. Using your phone at the table is considered disrespectful to the people you are dining with.
Try your hardest to finish everything in your bowl or plate. It is considered polite to finish all of the food on your plate.
If you need to leave the table early, ask permission from the host. It is considered rude to leave without saying goodbye.
Thank the host for the meal. It is considered polite to express your gratitude for the food and hospitality.
The Don'ts
Don't start eating until the eldest person at the table starts eating. This is a sign of respect.
Don't use your chopsticks to point at someone. This is considered rude and disrespectful.
Don't stick your chopsticks upright in your rice bowl. This is reminiscent of incense sticks used at funerals and is considered bad luck.
Don't leave your chopsticks and spoon in your rice bowl. This is also considered rude and disrespectful.
Don't pick out what you don't like or shake off excess seasoning. This is considered rude and disrespectful.
Don't talk loudly or laugh excessively at the table. This is considered disrespectful to the other people dining with you.
Don't leave the table without asking permission from the eldest person. This is considered rude and disrespectful.
Don't refuse food that is offered to you. This is considered rude and ungrateful.
Don't criticise the food. Even if you don't like something, it is considered polite to say something like, "It's different from what I'm used to, but it's interesting."
Don't tip the waiter/waitress. Tipping is not customary in Korea.
I hope you now feel more empowered to confidently eat in a Korean restaurant without offending those around you, including the host.
#koreanfood#etiquette#eatingkorean#koreantablemanners#koreaneating
🙏 thanks Caroline. I didn't know. Some of the Do's are similar to what I was taught growing up in New Zealand. But definitely, the Dont's - I will have to keep studying