Korean Etiquette 101: 12 Customs Every Visitor Should Know

Koreans are famously warm and forgiving toward visitors, so no one expects you to get every custom right. But a few small gestures go a long way — they show respect, earn quick smiles, and help you blend in. Here are 12 etiquette essentials worth knowing before you land.

Greetings & respect

1. Bow, don’t shake (mostly). A slight nod or bow is the default greeting. Handshakes happen too — often with a small bow and the left hand lightly supporting the right forearm.
2. Use two hands. When giving or receiving anything — money, a business card, a gift, a drink — use both hands, or your right hand with your left touching your forearm. It signals respect, especially toward elders.
3. Respect age. Age shapes a lot of social cues. Let older people sit, eat, and walk through doors first. On the subway, leave the clearly marked priority seats empty even if the car is busy.

At the table

4. Wait for the eldest to start. At a shared meal, it’s polite to wait until the most senior person lifts their spoon before you dig in.
5. Keep the rice bowl on the table. Unlike in Japan or China, you don’t lift your bowl. Use a spoon for rice and soup, and chopsticks for side dishes.
6. Never stand chopsticks upright in rice. It resembles a funeral ritual. Rest them on the table or a chopstick holder instead.
7. Sharing is normal. Banchan (side dishes) and stews are communal and refilled for free. Take modest amounts and don’t rummage through shared plates.

Drinking culture

8. Never pour your own drink. Pour for others — especially elders, with two hands — and someone will return the favor. An empty glass is a quiet invitation for a refill.
9. Turn away from elders to sip. When drinking alcohol in front of someone senior, turn your head slightly to the side as a sign of respect.

Out and about

10. Shoes off indoors. Remove your shoes when entering homes, guesthouses, temples, and many traditional restaurants with floor seating. Look for a shoe rack or a step up at the entrance.
11. No tipping needed. Tipping isn’t part of the culture and can even cause confusion. The price you see is the price you pay.
12. Learn two words. “Annyeonghaseyo” (hello) and “gamsahamnida” (thank you) will carry you a surprisingly long way and always get a warm response.

The bottom line

Don’t overthink it. Be polite, watch what locals do, and follow their lead — Koreans genuinely appreciate the effort. Master these basics and you’ll move through the country with ease, whether you’re sharing soju with new friends or stepping quietly into a mountain temple.