Solo Dining in Seoul: It’s Not The Easiest Experience

About the author Sarah Si

Solo traveller, flight attendant, and tourism grad. Sarah has visited 75+ countries. She writes for women who are ready to stop putting their lives on hold and start showing up for themselves. Real experiences, honest opinions, and the reminder that going alone is always worth it.

Solo dining in Seoul isn’t necessarily difficult, but it’s also not as easy as in other destinations in Asia, where eating alone is much more common. Yes, you can eat alone in Seoul, but there is a “but”.

In South Korea, there’s even a word for solo dining: “honbab”, which literally means “eating alone.” I love that.

As a flight attendant, I’ve been to Seoul multiple times over the years, and I’ve also spent 10 days travelling solo around South Korea. I was never refused at a restaurant, and I never felt awkward eating alone (but keep in mind that at that point I was already a seasoned solo traveller).

But that doesn’t mean it’s always straightforward.

What I quickly realised is that a lot of the food culture in Seoul is built around sharing. Some dishes are made for two people (like Korean BBQ), portions can be big, and certain dining experiences just don’t really work when you’re on your own.

Dishes come with banchan, a bunch of delicious side dishes, it’s a lot. 

That’s the part no one really tells you.

So no, eating alone in Seoul isn’t something you should worry about. But it does come with a few small challenges and dining etiquette that are worth knowing before you go. I’ll tell you all about it.

If you’re planning a bigger trip, you can also explore all my South Korea travel guides, including detailed Seoul posts, itineraries, and more tips to help you plan your trip.

Why eating alone in Seoul can be tricky

The main reason eating alone in Seoul can feel a bit tricky comes down to how the food is designed.

A lot of Korean dishes are meant to be shared, and you’ll notice that pretty quickly when you start looking at menus.

For me, the most frustrating part was wanting to try certain meals and realising they just didn’t make sense to order on my own.

Korean BBQ is the obvious one, but also dishes like chicken dak galbi, which is a big paella like pan at your table and usually served in big portions for at least two people. I didn’t even really try to make it work solo, I just avoided it completely, which was honestly a bit of a bummer.

Even something like Korean fried chicken can be tricky. I did go for it once, but the portion was huge. Way too much for one person. I ended up taking the rest to go, but I remember thinking it would be so much better if there were smaller portions.

So instead of feeling limited, I just adjusted what I ordered. But it’s definitely something to be aware of, especially if food is a big part of your trip, like it always is for me as a foodie.

Can you do Korean BBQ alone in Seoul?

Short answer: not really, at least not in the way you might expect.

Most Korean BBQ restaurants are set up for at least two people. You’re sitting at a table with a grill, and the whole experience is designed to be shared. The tables are usually for two to four people, and lighting up the grill for just one person often isn’t ideal for the restaurant.

That being said, it’s not completely impossible.

Some places will allow solo diners, but usually only if you order a minimum of two portions, which is essentially the same as what two people would order. I haven’t personally tried this, but it’s something that’s quite commonly mentioned.

You might also find more flexibility at larger chains or by simply asking when you walk in.

For me, it just didn’t feel worth it to order double portions when I knew I wouldn’t finish it. So I skipped Korean BBQ entirely when travelling solo.

Curious what else you can do in Seoul when travelling solo? Check out my solo things to do in Seoul where I give you a bunch of options so you’ll never get bored.

What to eat when travelling solo in Seoul

The good news is that even though some dining experiences are harder to do alone, there are still plenty of options when you’re travelling solo in Seoul.

I ended up eating really well, just in a slightly different way than I normally would.

I found myself going for things like mandu (dumplings), gimbap, bibimbap and dishes like jajjangmyeon, which are easy to order for one person.

Street food is another easy option, especially if you’re staying somewhere like Myeongdong. There’s so much choice, and it’s perfect when you just want something quick and small without overthinking it.

Think tteokbokki (spice rice cakes), pork belly skewers, fish cakes and a lot of sweet stuff too like croffles or heottok (my favourite).

I also relied quite a bit on convenience stores like 7-Eleven, for a quick breakfast or lunch. It sounds basic, but they actually have a really good selection, from ramen to onigiri and even sushi. It’s an easy, low-effort option, especially after a long day.

Food courts in shopping malls are another underrated option. You can just pick what you want.

And then there are smaller, more local places where eating alone just feels completely normal. I had dishes like bossam there, and no one even looked twice at the fact that I was on my own.

So it’s definitely not that there aren’t enough options. You just have to adjust your expectations a little and be flexible.

Dining Solo in Seoul etiquette

There are a few small things that are helpful to know in advance, especially if you’re not used to the local dining culture. I definitely learned it on to go while I was there and probably made a fool of myself a few times.

One of the first things I noticed is that in many places, you can just help yourself to free water, sauces, or sometimes even small side dishes. It’s usually set up somewhere in the restaurant, so you don’t need to ask.

Speaking of side dishes, you’ll often get a selection of small plates called banchan served with your meal. This is completely normal, and in many places, you can ask for refills. The same often goes for rice, although that can vary depending on the restaurant.

Another thing that surprised me is that you need to get the waiter’s attention yourself. In places like the Netherlands, I’m used to waiting for someone to come over, but in Seoul, it’s completely normal to wave or call them when you’re ready to order or need something.

Paying also works a bit differently. Instead of asking for the bill at your table, you typically just walk up to the register near the entrance and pay there when you’re done.

Cutlery is most likely on the table or in a hidden drawer in the table. So handy.

None of this is difficult, but it’s the kind of thing that’s just good to know beforehand so you don’t feel unsure when you’re there.

Solo-friendly places to eat in Seoul

From my experience, the easiest places to eat alone in Seoul are the more casual, everyday spots. I tried to make put down a variety of places for you.

If you’re in the mood for mandu (korean dumplings), go to the famous Kyoja in Myeongdong. They serve lots of dumplings and soup. There might be a queue around lunch and dinner.

After strolling around in Insadong, go for lunch at Maneul Bossam. They have a great lunch set for one. It can be busy, so come early. Or get the bibimbap at Yorok.

In Hongdae there is GIWA, which has raving reviews and is foreigner and solo-friendly. I haven’t visited yet but got this as a tip.

Food courts in shopping malls like Lotte Department Store or Lotte World Mall, are another really easy option. You can just pick what you want, sit down, and eat without it feeling like a full restaurant experience.

I also noticed that lunchtime is generally more solo-friendly, especially in business areas where people are on their lunch break and eating alone is very normal.

Are you ready for your solo dining adventure in Seoul?

Eating alone in Seoul might not be as easy as in some other destinations, but it’s such a small part of the overall experience that it really shouldn’t hold you back.

Once you understand how it works, it becomes something you naturally adapt to rather than something that feels like a challenge.

I still think Seoul is an incredible destination for solo travel. It’s safe, easy to navigate, and there’s so much to see and do that you’ll never feel bored on your own. And when it comes to food, you’re not missing out.

If you’re planning your trip to Seoul, I’d recommend starting with my solo female travel guide to Seoul, where I break down everything you need to know from safety and where to stay to what to do and how to plan your time. 

And if you’re still in the planning phase, you can also explore all my South Korea travel guides, where I’ve put together everything from Seoul itineraries to practical tips and destination guides to help you plan your trip with confidence.

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