So, you’re hungry, but you’re also lazy. The thought of leaving your comfortable dwelling sends shivers down your spine — especially when you’re hungover — and all you want is food in your mouth asap … Never fear! I’ll tell you how to order food in English in Seoul with these essential food delivery apps for foreigners.
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Do I need to tip in Korea?
When it comes to food delivery in South Korea, you’ll be glad to know that it is not necessary to tip delivery drivers or really, anywhere. Coming from the US where standard tips are anywhere from 15-30%, it can be a huge relief.
Does Uber Eats work in Korea?
No. As of October 2019, Uber Eats left the Korean market — probably due to all the competition. That was incredibly frustrating for me as it was an easy, English food delivery app, but there are other options that I will continually update as the year goes on.
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Coupang Eats
In my opinion, this is the hands-down best food delivery app for foreigners in Seoul.
Once Uber Eats left the picture, I luckily discovered that Coupang Eats — brought to you by mega-store, Coupang — had its own English app. Though some of the restaurant menus aren’t always translated into English, there are usually corresponding pictures.
And if all else fails, a good trick is to screenshot the menu with your phone and use the Google Translate App or Papago to scan and translate the text on the photo. However, if you run into any issues like inputting the wrong address, you may not get as much English phone support as you would with Shuttle.
I find most restaurants that were on Uber Eats is also on Coupang Eats, and it’s often free delivery for orders over 12,000 won. Also, since both my home and office is located in Gangnam, there’s a broader selection than what I see on Shuttle.
Shuttle
Shuttle has been an expat’s savior. With an app that’s fully in English, including menu, and great phone support, you’ll never go hungry. With that said, the restaurants are limited (especially south of the Han River), and the delivery fees are usually higher.
Yogiyo
If the other apps somehow don’t work out … There’s Yogiyo! Sorry, there is no English version of the app. The Yogiyo app is fully in Korean, but it is one of the most popular food delivery apps in Korea. This guide at Korvia will help you order food on Yogiyo like a pro.
Baemin (Baedal Minjok)
Like Yogiyo, there is no English version (yet) of the app, Baemin.
Fast Food Restaurants
McDonald’s
I didn’t know this until recently because I don’t usually frequent those famous golden arches, but you can order McDonald’s online in English.
You’ll find interesting fast food items in Korea such as corn soup, corn pie, bulgogi burgers, and shrimp burgers. Koreans sure love corn. #onlyinkorea
Pizza Hut
And if you’re craving a Bacon Potato Pizza or Shrimp Pizza, Pizza Hut Korea also has an English menu.
KFC
KFC has a menu available online in Korean, but you’ll have to use Google Translate to navigate the website and place an order.
Only in Korea will you find the Chizza monstrosity (chicken + pizza, okay?), gravy cups, and tteokbokki side dish on the KFC menu. I don’t know if I want to be seen in public with that Frankenstein-ish Chizza, so perhaps it is best to order in. #YOLO
Phone Delivery
Good ol’ fashioned phone delivery if you know exactly where you’re ordering from, can speak at least a little Korean, and if you’re feeling particularly adventurous.
Here’s a video from YouTube channel, Simon and Martina, showing how to order food directly from restaurants in Korea via phone order.