Important Tips When You are Invited to a Korean friend’s house: Bring a thing!
In Australia, when your friend invited you to a Sunday bbq at home, it is very common that people just bring their BYO drinks. However if you do the same in Korea, people might think that you don’t have a good sense or you are just very stingy.
Here are some tips to act right when a Korean person invites you to a home dinner.
Bring a gift and don’t be stingy
If you were invited to casual home dinner, those gifts do not need to be pricey. Probably you can bring something to eat or drink.
Good items: Cakes (Koreans do not like super sweet cakes. Avoid too heavy, sweet cakes like chocolate mud cake), fruits, ice-cream (not from supermarket but from an ice-cream shops) and quality juice bottles in the box (you can buy them from Korean grocery stores for $10~15), a bottle of wine, a bunch of flowers or herb pots. Bad items: a bag of chips plus a bottle of coke (unless you are year1), a bottle of soju (it’s only $1 in Seoul ^^)
Dress to look your best
Even he/she is your very close friend, Korean people think what you wear is reflecting who you are, especially if it is a home party. It is not polite to wear smelly t-shirt and dirty socks (remember, you will take off your shoes.). A clean/ironed outfit plus well-groomed hair/ nice make-up is basic when you are invited to a Korean home party.
Well, do you think that Koreans are too picky? Don’t worry. Once you are in their living room, they will treat you like a prince/princess by awesome foods and drinks. Enjoy your Korean party!
Ashley (Korean teacher)
Korean Dining Etiquette
As you have learned in the class, politeness is the key feature of Korean culture. Hence we do have many things to be considered when you eat meals with someone. Today, let’s learn some Korean table manners.
Do not start your meal before the oldest person starts
Normally the host of the dinner will introduce you a seat. Do not sit until you are told where to seat. In addition, do not start your meal before the oldest person starts the meal. Please wait for the oldest person to lift their chopsticks and spoons first before you start eating.
Before you eat, say “잘 먹겠습니다 (jal meokket seumnida~~)”
(i.e. I am excited to eat/ will enjoy the meal from now on)
Look at the person who cooked/hosted the dinner and say “잘 먹겠습니다 (jal meokket seumnida~)” which means that I am looking forward to eat this meal/ Thanks for your hard work.
Don’t eat too slow/ fast
Always check other people’s speed and try to finish your meal as others.
While you are eating foods
Do not speak too much when you have foods in your mouth. Never blow your nose. It’s good to say compliments about the foods to encourage the person who cooked the meal.
Do not hold your Soup and rice bowls
Unlike many other Asian countries like Japan or China, Korean people do not hold their soup/rice bowls. Put your bowls down on the table and eat slowly by using both chopsticks and a spoon.
Share the Side dishes with other people
We do have many side dishes to be shared. Do not take a certain food item too much even it’s your favourite food. Side dishes are to be shared.
Alcohol
When you drink alcohol with older people, it is polite to turn your head a little bit left/right (about 45degrees).
After you finish your meal, “잘 먹었습니다 (jal meogeot seumnida)”
Don’t forget to say “잘 먹었습니다” when you finish your meal. It means “thank you very much for your food, I enjoyed it a lot”.
Ashley (Korean Teacher)
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