Dining and Drinking Etiquette

In Korea, meals and drinking gatherings are not just about eating and drinking but are social rituals that build relationships, and even small gestures carry consideration for others.

Starting a Meal

The basic rule is that the youngest waits for the eldest to pick up their spoon before beginning to eat.

어서 드세요. 먼저 드시면 저희도 먹겠습니다.

eoseo deuseyo. meonjeo deusimyeon jeohuido meokgetseumnida.

Please go ahead and eat. Once you start, we'll begin too.

잘 먹겠습니다. 맛있게 잘 먹을게요.

jal meokgetseumnida. masitge jal meogeulgeyo.

I'll enjoy this meal. Thank you for the food.

수저 좀 놓아 드릴까요? 제가 챙길게요.

sujeo jom noa deurilkkayo? jega chaenggilgeyo.

Shall I set out the spoons and chopsticks? I'll take care of it.

Things to Avoid at the Table

Sticking a spoon upright in a rice bowl evokes ancestral rites and is a serious faux pas, and lifting bowls to eat is discouraged in Korea.

젓가락은 그릇에 꽂지 말고 옆에 가지런히 놓으세요.

jeotgarageun geureuse kkotji malgo yeope gajireonhi noeuseyo.

Don't stick the chopsticks into the bowl; lay them neatly beside it.

Pouring and Receiving Drinks

Situation	Etiquette
윗사람에게 따를 때	Hold the bottle with both hands when you pour
윗사람에게 받을 때	Receive the glass with both hands
윗사람 앞에서 마실 때	Turn your head slightly away as you drink
잔이 비었을 때	Watch for an empty glass and refill it for the other person

제가 한 잔 따라 드리겠습니다. 두 손으로 받으세요.

jega han jan ttara deurigetseumnida. du sone urlo badeuseyo.

Let me pour you a glass. Please receive it with both hands.

Declining and Offering

Even if you don't drink, it helps to know polite ways to decline without seeming rude.

죄송하지만 제가 술이 약해서요. 음료수로 대신해도 될까요?

joesonghajiman jega suri yakhaeseoyo. eumnyosuro daesinhaedo doelkkayo?

I'm sorry, but I can't handle alcohol well. May I have a soft drink instead?

한 잔 받으세요. 오늘 정말 고생 많으셨습니다.

han jan badeuseyo. oneul jeongmal gosaeng maneusyeotseumnida.

Please accept a glass. You worked so hard today.

💡 Tip: People often 'fight' over who gets to pay the bill. Usually the eldest or the person who hosted the gathering pays, and don't forget to say 'jal meogeotseumnida' (thank you for the meal).

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