One important aspect when you travel to Korea even for a short visit is to observe proper meal etiquette. Meals are important in Korean culture and are even usually used as a greeting between friends. After exchanging hellos, it is common to ask if one has already had his/her meal.

It is important to acquaint yourself with specific Korean rules as to behave humbly and politely as a foreigner in the country. Although table manners are mostly the same in all countries in the world, it is still useful to take note of these specific ones. Let us guide you through it.

Observe Rank. It is expected that you have to wait until the senior person is served and eats before you start eating or drinking.  Or if you are meeting someone younger but you regard the person with respect, you could say “meonjeo deuseyo” (먼저 드세요) meaning “You may eat first”. This is one way of showing respect.

Be Grateful. You probably heard and seen your favorite kdrama actors say this line “jal meokkessseumnida” ( 잘 먹겠습니다 ) over a dining table. This phrase means “ I will eat well” is a phrase to say thank you to the one who prepared the meal or to the person paying for it. 

Placement of Cutlery. Most western restaurants/households present the spoon and fork in paper wrappers or above a table napkin. This is not common in Korea as they use a ceramic rest to place their chopsticks or if there is none it is polite to put it alongside the plate. 

Be careful not to place your spoon or chopsticks across the top of a rice bowl as this can be considered rude.

Another blunder that you should avoid is sticking your chopsticks in an upright position in the rice bowl.  This could look like the incense sticks in food offerings for ancestors.

Minimize Noise. Unlike Japan where slurping soup noisily is regarded as a compliment to the cook, Koreans find it obnoxious when one makes a lot of chewing noises during a meal. Though at times it can be inevitable, it is important to minimize it.

No Lifting of Bowls. Korean Dining etiquette dictates that you leave your bowl and plates on the table. Don’t bring them up to your mouth.

Drinking Culture. If a drink is offered in a meal, make sure to drink it without showing its bottom to someone older. So it is a common scene to see younger people turning away from the elder as they drink. The younger drinker should also receive glass from the elder using both hands.

The next time you get invited to a meal in Korea or eat out with your Korean colleagues, you are all set and you might even impress them with how accustomed you are to their etiquette.

These tips might also come in handy if you are planning to attend a Thanksgiving dinner this Chuseok holiday.