Tipping in South Korea
In South Korea, tipping is never strictly required. At a sit-down restaurant, ₩0 — service and VAT are included in menu prices. Tipping is unusual for 18 services.
Tipping is not part of Korean culture and is often politely declined. Service charges may be added at upscale hotels and Western-style restaurants.
Tipping in South Korea at a glance
- Sit-down restaurant
- ₩0 — service and VAT are included in menu prices
- Taxi
- ₩0 — drivers return exact change
- Bar
- ₩0
- Housekeeping
- ₩0; ₩1,000–₩2,000 at international 5-star hotels (optional)
- Concierge
- ₩0; ₩10,000–₩30,000 envelope for an exceptional favor
- Tour guide
- ₩0 group; ₩20,000–₩50,000 private English-speaking full day
- Café
- ₩0
Tipping by service in South Korea
| Service | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | Unusual | ₩0 — service and VAT are included in menu prices |
| Counter / takeaway | Unusual | ₩0 |
| Café | Unusual | ₩0 |
| Bar | Unusual | ₩0 |
| Housekeeping | Unusual | ₩0; ₩1,000–₩2,000 at international 5-star hotels (optional) |
| Porter | Unusual | ₩0; ₩1,000–₩2,000 at international 5-star hotels (optional) |
| Concierge | Unusual | ₩0; ₩10,000–₩30,000 envelope for an exceptional favor |
| Taxi | Unusual | ₩0 — drivers return exact change |
| Rideshare | Unusual | ₩0 |
| Food delivery | Unusual | ₩0 |
| Grocery delivery | Unusual | ₩0 |
| Hairdresser | Unusual | ₩0 |
| Spa | Unusual | ₩0 — including jjimjilbang, sauna, and luxury spas |
| Tour guide | Optional | ₩0 group; ₩20,000–₩50,000 private English-speaking full day |
| Tattoo artist | Unusual | ₩0 |
| Valet | Unusual | ₩0 |
| Airport baggage | Unusual | ₩0 |
| Busker | Optional | ₩1,000–₩5,000 if a case is set out |
| Movers | Unusual | ₩0 |
| Tradesperson | Unusual | ₩0 |
Compare one service across every country
Compare South Korea to other countries
Tipping in South Korea: common questions
Do you tip in South Korea?
Generally no. Tipping is not customary for any of the 20 services we track in South Korea. Tipping is not part of Korean culture and is often politely declined. Service charges may be added at upscale hotels and Western-style restaurants.
How much do you tip at a restaurant in South Korea?
₩0 — service and VAT are included in menu prices. Korean restaurant prices already include 10% VAT and any service charge; under the 2013 Food Sanitation Act, additional service fees beyond the menu price are not permitted.
How much do you tip a taxi driver in South Korea?
₩0 — drivers return exact change. Korean taxi drivers are metered, regulated, and paid through the fare.
Do you tip hotel housekeeping in South Korea?
₩0; ₩1,000–₩2,000 at international 5-star hotels (optional). At Korean business hotels, motels, and most domestic-brand properties, housekeeping is not tipped — Korean staff often do not know what to do with cash left on the pillow.
Where is tipping not expected in South Korea?
Tipping is unusual for 18 services: sit-down restaurant, counter / takeaway, café, bar, housekeeping, porter, concierge, taxi, rideshare, food delivery, grocery delivery, hairdresser, spa, tattoo artist, valet, airport baggage, movers, and tradesperson. Leaving nothing is completely normal in these situations.
Should you tip in cash or by card in South Korea?
Cash is preferred for 6 of the 20 services we track in South Korea, because card tips do not always reach staff. Carrying small notes is worth it.