Korean Table Manners

Politeness is very important to Koreans and there is a lot of emphasis placed on sharing meals and drinks. Although some of the older traditions have relaxed in recent years, this list of Korean table manners includes etiquette still in use today.

• Wait for the oldest person/people to sit down first before you take a seat at the table.
• Before you eat, especially at someone's home, it's polite to say that you are looking forward to the meal. In Korean, people say Jalmukesumneda (I will eat well).
  
• Wait for the oldest person/people to lift their spoon or chopsticks first before you start eating.
  
• Try to eat at the same pace as everyone else, especially the elders.
• During the meal, don't hold the bowl of soup or rice (as you might do in other Asian countries like China or Japan).
  
• Korean meals have many communal side dishes, so don't dig into the bowls and touch a lot of the other food while you're taking your own.
  
• Always pour drinks for others first, especially for those senior to you.
• It's not considered polite to refuse an alcoholic drink offered to you, especially from an elder.
• When someone senior pours a drink for you, hold out your cup with both hands to accept (this also holds true for someone passing you a side dish or something else at the table).
  
• When you pour for someone senior to you, place your other hand lightly under your pouring hand or under your opposite elbow.
• When you're done, utensils go back on the table.
• Don't take so much food that you can't finish, as that is considered wasteful.
• If someone has hosted you in their home or treated you to a meal out, it is customary to acknowledge your thanks after the meal. In Korean, people say masegaemugusuyo (I ate well).