Korean BBQ is one of the best meals in Korea, and one of the more confusing for first-timers. Here is Korean BBQ etiquette in the order you'll need it.
1. Ordering
- Beef is ordered by weight, usually per 100g. Start with a little and add more.
- Order one cut at a time if you want to taste the difference between cuts.
- Rice and noodles come last. Koreans usually finish a BBQ meal with rice, stew or cold noodles.
2. Side dishes (banchan)
The small plates that arrive with your meat are banchan. At most Korean restaurants they are included in the price, and you can ask for more. Just raise your hand and point.
3. Grilling
Meat arrives raw and is grilled at your table. A few tips:
- Let the grill heat up first. Thin cuts go on first; thicker cuts after.
- Thin brisket cooks in seconds. Take it off as soon as it changes color.
- Don't press the meat or flip it again and again. Turn it once.
- Scissors are normal. Koreans cut meat into bite-size pieces with kitchen scissors at the table.
4. Drinking manners
- Pour for others, not for yourself. Someone will pour for you.
- With older people, hold your glass with two hands when receiving, and turn your head slightly to the side when you drink.
- "Geonbae!" is the Korean toast.
5. Paying
- There is no tipping in Korea. The price on the menu is what you pay.
- Many restaurants take payment at the counter by the door on the way out.
Try it at a Hanwoo restaurant in Busan
HANWOO GOJIP in Gaya-dong, Busan, serves only grade 1++ Hanwoo. You pick your cut from the showcase, and banchan and 1++ Hanwoo beef soup are unlimited refills.
| Menu | Price |
|---|---|
| Hanwoo chadolbagi, thin-sliced brisket (100g) | ₩18,000 |
| Hanwoo assorted (100g) | ₩22,000 |
| Hanwoo ribeye (100g) | ₩24,000 |
| Hanwoo galbisal, boneless rib (100g) | ₩24,000 |
| Hanwoo specialty cuts (100g) | Market price |
| Hanwoo yukhoe, beef tartare (200g) | ₩25,000 |
Visiting as a traveler
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Walk-ins are welcome. Weekend evenings get busy, so booking ahead is safer.
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English is fine, in the restaurant and on the phone (+82 51-891-9777). Menus are available in English, Chinese and Japanese.
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You can also message us on Naver TalkTalk, even outside opening hours.
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Foreign credit cards are accepted.
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No table-setting charge, no corkage fee. Side dishes and 1++ Hanwoo beef soup are unlimited refills.
📍 HANWOO GOJIP Busan Gaya
- 134 Eomgwang-ro, Busanjin-gu, Busan (Gaya-dong 490), 1F & 2F
- +82 51-891-9777
- Mon–Fri 15:00–22:00 / Sat–Sun 11:00–22:00 (L.O. 21:30), open year-round
- One minute from the Gaya Park Entrance bus stop (bus 110-1) · private parking