Tipping In South Korea - A Complete Guide
Quick Guide
🍽️ Restaurant - Not Expected - Can Offend
🍹 Bar - Not Expected - Can Offend
🚕 Taxi - Not Expected - Can Round Up If Paying Cash
🛎️ Porter/Bellhop - Not Expected - Can Offend
🛏️ Housekeeping - Not Expected - Can Offend
📸 Tour Guide - Not Expected - Can Offend
🧖♀️ Jjimjilbang - Not Expected - Can Offend
Tipping isn’t the norm in South Korea and attempting to do so may cause awkwardness, confusion or even offense. In most situations, pleasant words and a bow are more than enough.
Calculate a culturally appropriate tip for South Korea using the calculator below and read on for more detail on tipping in Restaurants, Bars, Taxis, Hotels, Jjimjilbangs etc.
South Korea Tip Calculator
Good Price For South Korea
Tip
$0.00
Total With Tip
$0.00
Split Bill By
0 Each
Tipping in Restaurants
It’s not customary to tip when you’re dining out in South Korea. Instead, you can show your appreciation for a good meal by saying “kamsahamnida” (“thank you”) with a modest bow when you leave.
To cater to Western visitors, some Western-style restaurants have introduced tip jars but even in the case of these establishments, you’re not expected to tip.
Tipping in Bars
Like restaurants, tipping at bars isn’t common practice and can risk causing confusion, awkwardness or offense. Unlike in some Western countries, Bartenders aren’t reliant on tips to supplement their income.
Tipping Taxi Drivers
Neither locals nor tourists are expected to tip South Korean taxi drivers. If you’re paying in cash and you’re satisfied you can tell your driver to keep the change (“jandon gajiseyo”) but given card payments are more common, there’s no real way to tip.
In any case, have your destination’s address ready in Korean or get ready to point to it on a map. If you’re in a metered taxi (usually the case), make sure your driver turns the meter on when you leave and it continues to work properly during the drive.
If there’s no meter, it’s better to agree a fare before you set off.
Tipping The Porter/Bellhop
Your porter or bellhop is likely to refuse your tip if you attempt to give them one so it’s best to avoid the situation completely.
Tipping Housekeeping
You’re not expected to tip housekeepers either and like all the other scenarios on this list, you might risk awkwardness if you do.
If you’re really inclined to leave a tip, you can leave a cash tip in an envelope (or folded piece of paper) on your pillow. If you want to attempt to hand it to them directly, hand them the envelope using both hands and give a modest bow.
Tipping Tour Guides
It’s not customary to tip tour guides either but since they’re more used to working with tourists, they’re less likely to be confused or offended if you try to tip them.
If you do want to give them a tip, make sure it’s in cash (South Korean Won), in an envelope. If you don’t have either, it’s better not to.
Tipping in Jjimjilbangs
Spending time in a Jjimjilbang, a traditional South Korean bathhouse? Don’t tip in this situation either. A simple bow is more than enough.
Which Currency To Use
You’ve been advised against tipping in South Korea but if you really feel compelled to do so (acceptable only in limited situations - housekeeping and tour guides), use the local currency (South Korean Won). Present your tip in cash in an envelope and offer it with both hands and a respectful bow.
“즐거운 여행 되세요!” (jeulgeoun yeohaeng doeseyo!) - Have a Great Trip! 🇰🇷🍜🌸
