If you’ve never been to Korea before, the culture can feel a little different from what you’re used to. People are warm and welcoming — but there are some unwritten rules that locals follow every day. Most visitors don’t mean to be rude, they just didn’t know.
This guide covers the Korean customs and etiquette that actually matter when you’re traveling here. Nothing overly formal — just the things that will make your trip smoother and help you show a little respect along the way.
Taking Off Your Shoes
This is probably the most important one to know before you arrive.
In Korea, you take your shoes off before entering someone’s home. Always. There’s usually a small entryway (called a hyeonggwan) where you leave them before stepping up into the living space. If you walk in with your shoes on, it’s genuinely uncomfortable for the host — even if they’re too polite to say anything.
This also applies to some traditional restaurants where you sit on the floor, certain guesthouses, and temple areas. If you see a step up at the entrance or a row of shoes by the door, that’s your signal to take yours off.
Tip: Wear socks that are in decent condition. You’ll be taking your shoes off more than you expect.
Respecting Elders
Korea has a deeply Confucian culture, and respect for elders is built into almost everything — language, behavior, and daily interactions.
You don’t need to understand Korean honorifics to be respectful, but a few things are worth knowing:
- Use two hands when giving or receiving something from an older person — a gift, a business card, a drink. One hand is fine between friends, but two hands signals respect.
- Let elders sit first and eat first at a shared meal.
- Bow slightly when greeting someone older. A small nod works fine for casual situations. A deeper bow is more formal.
- Don’t call older people by their first name unless they specifically ask you to.
As a foreign visitor, locals won’t expect you to get all of this perfectly. But making even small efforts goes a long way.
Dining Etiquette
Food is a big part of Korean culture, and there are a few table manners worth knowing before you sit down to eat.
Wait Before You Eat
If you’re eating with Koreans, especially older ones, wait for the eldest person at the table to pick up their chopsticks or spoon before you start. It’s a small thing that gets noticed.
Don’t Stick Chopsticks Upright in Rice
This is associated with funeral rituals in Korea (and across much of East Asia). Just rest them on the chopstick holder or lay them across your bowl when you’re not using them.
Pouring Drinks
In Korean drinking culture, you don’t pour your own drink. You pour for others, and they pour for you. If someone’s glass is empty, refill it. If yours is empty, someone should notice — but it’s okay to politely indicate that you’d like more.
This applies to both alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks in social settings.
Slurping and Noise
Unlike in some Western cultures, slurping noodles or soup isn’t considered rude in Korea. Eating with a bit of enthusiasm is generally fine.
Sharing Dishes
Most Korean meals come with banchan — small shared side dishes in the middle of the table. These are communal. You take from them throughout the meal. You don’t need to serve yourself all at once.
Drinking Culture
Korea has a lively drinking culture, and if you’re out with locals, there are some customs worth knowing.
Accept the first drink offered. Refusing the first drink in a social setting can feel like you’re rejecting the hospitality, even if you don’t mean it that way. If you don’t drink alcohol, it’s completely fine to say so upfront — Koreans are understanding, just be clear from the start.
Hold your glass when someone pours for you. It’s polite to hold your glass with both hands (or your right hand supported by your left) when receiving a drink.
Don’t fill your own glass. As mentioned above, the custom is to pour for others.
Soju etiquette. Soju is Korea’s most popular spirit and it’s often drunk in shots. Geonbae (건배) means cheers. If someone says it, clink glasses and drink. You don’t have to drain the whole shot, but finishing it is appreciated in more traditional settings.
Drinking is social in Korea, not just about the alcohol. The conversations, the food, the atmosphere — it’s all part of it.
Public Behavior
Korea is a very public-facing society. Cities are busy, people are out, and there are some general norms around how you behave in public spaces.
Queuing
Koreans queue. Whether it’s for the subway, a popular restaurant, or a public restroom — there’s usually a clear line and people follow it. Don’t skip it.
Escalators
On escalators in Seoul, stand on the right, walk on the left. This is strictly followed, especially in subway stations. Standing on the left will earn you impatient looks.
Volume on Public Transport
Subway cars and buses are generally quiet. Phone calls are frowned upon. If you need to take a call, step off or keep it very brief and speak quietly. Music should be through earphones, not speakers.
Littering
Public spaces in Korea are generally very clean. Littering is not acceptable. If you can’t find a bin (and sometimes they’re hard to find), hold onto your trash until you do.
Temple and Cultural Site Etiquette
If you visit a Buddhist temple — and you should, they’re beautiful — there are a few things to be aware of.
- Dress modestly. Shoulders and knees covered is the general rule. Some temples provide coverings if needed.
- Remove your shoes before entering the main hall.
- Be quiet. Temples are active places of worship, not just tourist attractions. Monks may be praying or meditating.
- Don’t photograph people praying without permission.
- Bow if you enter the main hall. A simple respectful bow before the altar is appropriate.
Pointing and Gestures
A few gestures to be aware of:
- Pointing with one finger is considered a bit rude in some contexts. Use your whole hand to gesture toward something instead.
- Beckoning someone is done with the hand facing downward and fingers waving toward you — the opposite of the Western style. Beckoning with your hand palm-up (as you might in Western countries) can seem aggressive or condescending.
- Eye contact is generally fine, but prolonged, intense eye contact with an elder or a stranger can feel confrontational.
Gift Giving
If you’re invited to someone’s home or want to bring a small gift, here’s what to know:
- Gifts are appreciated but not always opened immediately. Don’t be surprised if your host sets the gift aside without opening it in front of you. It’s not rudeness — opening gifts immediately in front of the giver can feel a little showy.
- Bring something from your home country if you can. It’s always appreciated.
- Avoid giving sets of four of anything. The number four is associated with death in Korean culture (the word sounds like the word for death). Sets of three, five, or seven are fine.
- Wrap it nicely. Presentation matters.
A Note on Blending In
You won’t get everything right, and Koreans don’t expect foreign visitors to know all the rules. Most people are genuinely happy to see tourists making an effort to be respectful.
The basics that matter most: take your shoes off when you’re supposed to, use two hands when it counts, don’t pour your own drink, and keep your voice down on public transport. Get those right and you’re already ahead of most visitors.
Korea is one of the most visitor-friendly countries in Asia. The customs here aren’t designed to trip you up — they reflect a culture that values consideration for others. Once you understand that, most of the etiquette makes complete sense.
Quick Reference: Korean Customs Cheat Sheet
| Situation | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Entering a home or floor-seating restaurant | Remove your shoes |
| Receiving something from an elder | Use two hands |
| Starting a meal with Koreans | Wait for the eldest to begin |
| Chopsticks not in use | Rest on holder, never upright in rice |
| Someone pours you a drink | Hold glass with both hands |
| Riding the escalator in Seoul | Stand right, walk left |
| Visiting a temple | Dress modestly, remove shoes, stay quiet |
| Giving a gift | Avoid sets of four, wrap nicely |
If you’re still planning your trip to Korea, check out our First Time in Korea guide for everything you need to know before you go — visas, transport, money, and more.
Heading to Seoul? Our Seoul Travel Guide covers the best neighbourhoods, things to do, and where to eat.