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Korean restaurants

Why Do Korean Restaurants Serve Free Side Dishes?

November 1, 2026 by WHY KOREANS ARE
A bubbling stew in a stone pot surrounded by small plates of banchan side dishes on a Korean restaurant table

Why do Korean restaurants serve free side dishes? Banchan are priced into the meal, and in 2026 owners began debating charging for refills.

Categories Life Tags banchan, free side dishes, Korean food culture, Korean restaurants, refills Leave a comment

Do You Tip in South Korea? Prices and Service Explained

October 28, 2026 by WHY KOREANS ARE
A Korean restaurant counter with a card payment terminal and a printed receipt, no tip jar in sight

Do you tip in South Korea? Almost never. Menu prices include service, hotels add a 10% charge, and taxi or delivery fees are not tips.

Categories Systems Tags Korea travel, Korean restaurants, Korean taxis, service charge, tipping Leave a comment
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