Short answer: Not expected. Tipping is not customary in South Korea and is neither expected nor required in restaurants, taxis or most hotels. You pay the price shown, often at the front counter. Tour guides are the main exception where a small tip is welcome.
Is service included?
Most restaurants do not add a service charge. Some expensive restaurants and luxury hotels add a 10% service charge, called bongsaryo; if it is on the bill, nothing more is expected.
How much to tip in South Korea
| Who | Usual tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants (sit-down) | Not expected | No tipping; take the bill to the counter to pay. |
| Cafes and bars | Not expected | No tipping custom. |
| Taxis and rideshare | Not expected | No tip; most fares are paid by card or through apps. |
| Hotel housekeeping | Not expected | Not expected; some guests at luxury hotels leave a small tip after a long stay. |
| Hotel porters | Not expected | Not expected; at luxury hotels ₩5,000 to 10,000 for heavy luggage is occasionally given. |
| Tour guides | Optional, ₩10,000 to 20,000 | Varies: about ₩10,000 to 20,000 for a half or full day, or around 10% of an organised tour split between guide and driver. |
| Hairdressers and spas | Not expected | Fixed prices; no tipping. |
| Food delivery | Not expected | Delivery fees are charged through the app; no separate tip custom. |
Amounts are in the local currency (KRW). They are common customs, not rules: tip more for great service and less where it was poor.
How to tip
Normally you do not tip. If you want to thank a guide, put cash in an envelope and hand it over with both hands, quietly. If someone politely refuses, do not insist. Card and app payments do not include a tip option.
What to avoid
Do not push a tip on someone who refuses it; it can cause embarrassment.
Work out a tip
The tip calculator is set to South Korea and the local currency: enter the bill, pick a percentage and split it between the table.
Tipping with no cash
When you have no local cash, ask whether a tip can go on the card. More and more guides, drivers and performers show a QR code instead: point your phone camera at it and you can tip by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay without installing anything.
Street performers
Tipping a busker is always optional. If you enjoy the show, a coin or a note in the case is the custom, and more performers now show a QR code so you can tip by card. Rules for buskers by city:
Sources
- Embassy of South Africa in Seoul: Essential info, customs and culture in Korea
- Lonely Planet: What to know before traveling to South Korea
- Lonely Planet: The ultimate guide to tipping in Asia
- The Soul of Seoul: Guide to tipping in Korea
Checked in October 2026 against the sources above. Customs change and vary between cities and venues.
Common questions
Is tipping expected in South Korea?
Not expected. Tipping is not customary in South Korea and is neither expected nor required in restaurants, taxis or most hotels. You pay the price shown, often at the front counter. Tour guides are the main exception where a small tip is welcome.
How much should you tip at a restaurant in South Korea?
Not expected. No tipping; take the bill to the counter to pay.
Is a service charge added to the bill in South Korea?
Most restaurants do not add a service charge. Some expensive restaurants and luxury hotels add a 10% service charge, called bongsaryo; if it is on the bill, nothing more is expected.
Do you tip taxi drivers in South Korea?
Not expected.
How much do you tip hotel housekeeping in South Korea?
Not expected.
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