How much to tip at a restaurant in South Korea (2026 Guide)
₩0 — service and VAT are included in menu prices
Cultural notes
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. High-end restaurants and Western/hotel restaurants will sometimes add an explicit 10% service charge plus 10% VAT to the bill — that is the complete payment. A small but contested wave of tip jars and kiosk "staff dinner" add-ons (300 won, etc.) appeared in 2023–2025 and was met with strong public backlash; locals overwhelmingly oppose normalizing tipping.
Common mistakes
Leaving change on the table — staff will usually run after you with it. Adding a tip line on a credit card receipt where none exists.
Frequently asked questions
Do Korean restaurants accept tips?
They do not expect them; many staff find tip jars uncomfortable. Pay the listed price.
What if there is a 10%+10% on my bill at an upscale place?
That is the service charge plus VAT; no further tip.
Is it rude to tip in Korea?
Not malicious, but it feels out of step with local norms and can embarrass staff.
Tipping other services in South Korea
- Counter / takeaway₩0
- Café₩0
- Bar₩0
- Housekeeping₩0; ₩1,000–₩2,000 at international 5-star hotels (optional)
- Porter₩0; ₩1,000–₩2,000 at international 5-star hotels (optional)
- Concierge₩0; ₩10,000–₩30,000 envelope for an exceptional favor
- Taxi₩0 — drivers return exact change
- Rideshare₩0
- Food delivery₩0
- Grocery delivery₩0
- Hairdresser₩0
- Spa₩0 — including jjimjilbang, sauna, and luxury spas
- Tour guide₩0 group; ₩20,000–₩50,000 private English-speaking full day
- Tattoo artist₩0
- Valet₩0
- Airport baggage₩0
- Busker₩1,000–₩5,000 if a case is set out
- Movers₩0
- Tradesperson₩0
Tipping at a restaurant in nearby countries
Last verified: · Sources: koreatimes.co.kr, koreaherald.com, wise.com