← Part of the South Korea money guide
South Koreachecked Jul 2026Tipping in South Korea
South Korea is not a tipping country. At restaurants, cafes and in taxis, no tip is expected, and trying to leave one may be politely refused. Here is what you actually owe.
At a glance
Tipping
Not expected
Restaurants, taxis
No tip
High-end places
May add a service charge
Trying to tip
May be politely refused
South Korea is not a tipping country. At restaurants, cafes and in taxis, no tip is expected, and staff earn a wage. Trying to leave a tip may be politely refused or cause confusion. The main exception is upscale hotels and some Western restaurants, which add a service charge (often 10%) to the bill; if it is there, you do not add more. Otherwise, the total is the total, and you can simply keep your change.
Tipping is not expected in Korea
South Korea has no tipping culture. At restaurants, cafes, bars and in taxis, no tip is expected, and staff are paid a wage. Leaving money on the table can even be politely returned to you, since it is simply not the custom.
For visitors, this is one less thing to think about: the bill or meter is what you pay.
The one exception: a service charge
The main exception is upscale hotels and some Western-style restaurants, which add a service charge, often around 10%, to the bill. If a service charge appears, it stands in for a tip, so you do not add more.
Everywhere else, there is no service charge and no expected tip.
Taxis, delivery and paying
Do not tip taxi drivers or delivery; it is not expected, and the fare or total is final. Transit mostly runs on a T-money card in any case. For the wider picture, see cash or card in South Korea and the South Korea money guide.
Common questions
Quick answers.
Do you tip in South Korea?
No. Tipping is not customary at restaurants, cafes or in taxis, and staff do not rely on it. Trying to leave a tip may be politely refused. The main exception is upscale hotels and some Western restaurants that add a service charge.
Do you tip taxi drivers in South Korea?
No. Tipping taxis is not expected in Korea; the metered fare is what you pay. The same goes for delivery and rideshare.
Is there a service charge in Korean restaurants?
At everyday places, no. Upscale hotels and some Western restaurants add a service charge, often 10%. If it is on the bill, it stands in for a tip, so you do not add more.
Is it rude to tip in South Korea?
Not rude, but unnecessary and unusual. A tip may be politely returned since it is not the custom. You can simply pay the bill or fare and keep your change.
More on South Korea
The little money things nobody warns you about.
- Do US citizens need a K-ETA for South Korea?Short answer: not right now. For US travelers the K-ETA is waived through the end of 2026, but there is a free arrival card you still must file, and the K-ETA comes back in 2027. Here is what you actually need, and when.
- Do I need cash in South Korea, or can I use cards?Short answer: mostly cards, a little cash. Korea runs on plastic, so a Visa or Mastercard covers almost everything, but markets and street food still want won. Here is how to pay, get around, and which apps to skip.
- Bringing your dog or cat to South Korea.South Korea is the most straightforward of the strict-looking Asian destinations. There is no import permit to chase for a personal pet, and a dog or cat that meets the microchip and rabies-titer rules is typically released the same day it lands. The one thing that sets your timeline, and that you must not skip, is the rabies antibody titer. Here is the route.
Sources, and how this was checked
Last checkedJul 2026
- US State DepartmentSouth Korea country information
Our own readKorea's no-tipping norm is well established, with a service charge at upscale hotels and restaurants the main exception. Amounts here are our own read from recent traveler reports and local guidance, not a single official table. Checked July 2026.