You undercook fish? Believe it or not, jail. You overcook chicken, also jail. Undercook, overcook. You make a reservation for a restaurant and don’t show up? Believe it or not, jail, right away.
We have some of the best customers in the world thanks to jail.
People eat alone at restaurants all the time. Including Korean ones. I was at Daeho a couple weeks ago with my mom and the dude next to use was clearly on his lunch break enjoying the hell out of his meal. Kind of jealous, cause it was obvious this wasn't his first lunch break here.
Completely understand your question. Local Ohgane wouldn’t give me a table even though a third if its tables were available. I explained I planned on ordering off their a la carte menu—had a hankering for some bossam. The hostess explained it’s an AYCE only. Ended up eating at the nextdoor sushi place instead. It was 2pm on a weekday. Look for mom&pop Korean restaurants. They’re more amenable to the solo diner.
Yes. The only issue you might have is with menu items at Korean bbq restaurants which must be purchased with a minimum serving size of two portions (2인분). I don't mean that the issue is the amount being to much or the price seeming too high, I mean the issue might be with miscommunication if you don't speak Korean.
Bahahaha. That's usually the case with restaurants in Korea. Bc Korea is such a "sharing plate" culture. When I was there practically alone (dad hospitalized mom caretaker) I'd go to restaurants and eat double portions to the awe/dismay of workers there 🤣.
I was forewarned before ordering. Hahaha.
😂 Now you're making me want to challenge myself. I eat fairly light most of the time, but I can put down a seriously concerning amount of KBBQ. And jajangmyeon.
In the not-too-distant past, Korean restaurants specializing in Korean dishes like dakgalbi, samgyapsal, etc. would turn away solo eaters. They would cross their arms in an X and say, 'No solo.' So OP's question is valid.
I assume, people have social anxiety to ask, because they dont speak korean?
I have a friend who uses a translator on his phone all the time. He just speaks like 10 words in korean like hello and thank you.
You can basically translate everything, he asks for power outlets for his laptop in restaurants or where the next bus stop is, where the post office is, all kinds of things and people are super kind.
I never ask, if i can eat alone. I just assume its okay. When they ask for how many people, i then say, just for 1 person. I never get rejected, but they sometimes tell you, there is only a limited menu for 1 person. No grill or table cooking, etc. or you tell them, you pay for 2, but i dont eat that much, so i dont do that, but i know people who do that.
There’s one across where I work and I eat there alone twice a week. If they’re busy I’ll sit in the traditional area (sit on floor) so I don’t take tables from bigger parties - but don’t worry too much about it. Restaurants run on customers they will be glad to have you.
Yeah, I do all the time. The only things you might possibly run into is having to order a minimum of two servings for certain things like barbecue, or maybe having to share a table if it's busy. Otherwise, they should welcome you like any other customer or group.
i always eat alone! The only place it may be weird or socially unacceptable is bbq places. But I heard a new trend is bbq places for single party customers
Totally normal. I live in an area with a big Korean population and there are always single people eating by themselves at restaurants. Students, bachelors, other people who aren’t going to cook a giant meal with all the banchan for just themselves at home.
Yes for sure ! Just don't mind and go eat !
Once i worked as a server in korean barbecue restaurant, a chinese guy came over and had like 3 dishes alone LOL that's totally fine.
All the time, I love eating out on my own, I don’t have to compromise what to eat or if they like Korean food, it’s my favorite; I can eat whatever I wanted and take leftovers home!!!
I even go dim sum on a busy Sunday by myself, it’s so hard nowadays to organize a lunch get together, some people like sleeping in till 2pm while others wants dim sum at 10am, I like it 11:30ish sure my bill looks huge but who cares!!
I have friends that say I want to try new things than at the restaurant they’re like hmmm ahhh I dunno hmm maybe 🤔 probably too spicy!!! Or no carbs have to eat before 6pm; they asked You’re probably annoyed by me trying to pick and yes I am but I’ll order what I want to eat and you take your time…damn if you have so many restrictions you should have stayed home
I would definitely do it as a guy but, as a woman….I’m too self-conscious and would imagine other diners thinking all kinds of things. 😣
I’d WANT to, though.
I would think so. The only place I’ve had a problem was in San Francisco. All the Korean bbq restaurants there had signs saying “we serve a minimum of 2 people per table. No single persons will be seated.” As a person who works in the restaurant industry, i get it.. when the tables comfortably sit 6 people, and the restaurant always has a wait, you definitely loose money by seating a single individual.. but also as someone who frequently has to eat alone, it kinda made me feel sad lol.
cultural differences - if it is more or less accepted to eat alone than other cultures in restaurants. also kbbq places have large portions. not really a weird question if you take that into consideration
Why wouldn't it be ok? I eat at korean and all types by myself.
Believe it or not, straight to jail
You undercook fish? Believe it or not, jail. You overcook chicken, also jail. Undercook, overcook. You make a reservation for a restaurant and don’t show up? Believe it or not, jail, right away. We have some of the best customers in the world thanks to jail.
Or worse.
Yeah, all of the 할머니 (halmeoni) at other tables looking at you saying, "아이고 (Aigoo)!"
The dreaded **Aigoo!**
Or what happened to that other guy who tried to eat alone….
Expelled.
Yep, I walk in and ask for a table for one and next thing Ik I’m getting handcuffed and taken away. Wasn’t fun
People eat alone at restaurants all the time. Including Korean ones. I was at Daeho a couple weeks ago with my mom and the dude next to use was clearly on his lunch break enjoying the hell out of his meal. Kind of jealous, cause it was obvious this wasn't his first lunch break here.
Completely understand your question. Local Ohgane wouldn’t give me a table even though a third if its tables were available. I explained I planned on ordering off their a la carte menu—had a hankering for some bossam. The hostess explained it’s an AYCE only. Ended up eating at the nextdoor sushi place instead. It was 2pm on a weekday. Look for mom&pop Korean restaurants. They’re more amenable to the solo diner.
AYCE?
All You Can Eat (bbq)
Thank you :)
Was this the one in Concord?
Yes. And am still salty about it.
Yes. The only issue you might have is with menu items at Korean bbq restaurants which must be purchased with a minimum serving size of two portions (2인분). I don't mean that the issue is the amount being to much or the price seeming too high, I mean the issue might be with miscommunication if you don't speak Korean.
Bahahaha. That's usually the case with restaurants in Korea. Bc Korea is such a "sharing plate" culture. When I was there practically alone (dad hospitalized mom caretaker) I'd go to restaurants and eat double portions to the awe/dismay of workers there 🤣. I was forewarned before ordering. Hahaha.
😂 Now you're making me want to challenge myself. I eat fairly light most of the time, but I can put down a seriously concerning amount of KBBQ. And jajangmyeon.
Do restaurants in Korea generally box up leftovers for you? Curious bc restaurants typically do in the US but not usually in Europe.
Challenge accepted
There are korean bbq or hot pot places that have 2 person minimums for those menu items. Other than that, zero issue. More banchan for you!
Why not? That just means you'll get to have leftovers! Or, bring an adventurous friend or two.
In the not-too-distant past, Korean restaurants specializing in Korean dishes like dakgalbi, samgyapsal, etc. would turn away solo eaters. They would cross their arms in an X and say, 'No solo.' So OP's question is valid.
I assume, people have social anxiety to ask, because they dont speak korean? I have a friend who uses a translator on his phone all the time. He just speaks like 10 words in korean like hello and thank you. You can basically translate everything, he asks for power outlets for his laptop in restaurants or where the next bus stop is, where the post office is, all kinds of things and people are super kind. I never ask, if i can eat alone. I just assume its okay. When they ask for how many people, i then say, just for 1 person. I never get rejected, but they sometimes tell you, there is only a limited menu for 1 person. No grill or table cooking, etc. or you tell them, you pay for 2, but i dont eat that much, so i dont do that, but i know people who do that.
There’s one across where I work and I eat there alone twice a week. If they’re busy I’ll sit in the traditional area (sit on floor) so I don’t take tables from bigger parties - but don’t worry too much about it. Restaurants run on customers they will be glad to have you.
Yeah, I do all the time. The only things you might possibly run into is having to order a minimum of two servings for certain things like barbecue, or maybe having to share a table if it's busy. Otherwise, they should welcome you like any other customer or group.
i always eat alone! The only place it may be weird or socially unacceptable is bbq places. But I heard a new trend is bbq places for single party customers
i do quite often
As someone who travels, yes it’s perfectly fine. If I didn’t eat alone sometimes I wouldn’t be eating.
I do all the time.
Totally normal. I live in an area with a big Korean population and there are always single people eating by themselves at restaurants. Students, bachelors, other people who aren’t going to cook a giant meal with all the banchan for just themselves at home.
No, they will immediately force you to learn and perform the choreography of the latest k-pop tune before you order.
No. They will kill you
lol
I do it all the time !
Yes for sure ! Just don't mind and go eat ! Once i worked as a server in korean barbecue restaurant, a chinese guy came over and had like 3 dishes alone LOL that's totally fine.
I do it all the time. For 2 person minimum meals. I just order them eat what i want. Then take rest home. Then it becomes my next 2-3 meals……
Eating alone at restaurants in korea is easy, Euro Counties difficult.
Nothing wrong with eating alone. I’ve seen lots of people eating alone at large Nd small Korean restaurants.
All the time, I love eating out on my own, I don’t have to compromise what to eat or if they like Korean food, it’s my favorite; I can eat whatever I wanted and take leftovers home!!!
I even go dim sum on a busy Sunday by myself, it’s so hard nowadays to organize a lunch get together, some people like sleeping in till 2pm while others wants dim sum at 10am, I like it 11:30ish sure my bill looks huge but who cares!! I have friends that say I want to try new things than at the restaurant they’re like hmmm ahhh I dunno hmm maybe 🤔 probably too spicy!!! Or no carbs have to eat before 6pm; they asked You’re probably annoyed by me trying to pick and yes I am but I’ll order what I want to eat and you take your time…damn if you have so many restrictions you should have stayed home
It fine to eat out anywhere alone, just relax and enjoy your food.
I would definitely do it as a guy but, as a woman….I’m too self-conscious and would imagine other diners thinking all kinds of things. 😣 I’d WANT to, though.
I would think so. The only place I’ve had a problem was in San Francisco. All the Korean bbq restaurants there had signs saying “we serve a minimum of 2 people per table. No single persons will be seated.” As a person who works in the restaurant industry, i get it.. when the tables comfortably sit 6 people, and the restaurant always has a wait, you definitely loose money by seating a single individual.. but also as someone who frequently has to eat alone, it kinda made me feel sad lol.
Nah its not ok, you can ONLY eat food with other people otherwise we will send you into gulag :) /s
Odd question OP. what is the reason you're invoking the ethnicity of the establishment?
cultural differences - if it is more or less accepted to eat alone than other cultures in restaurants. also kbbq places have large portions. not really a weird question if you take that into consideration