Korea has one of the world's best food delivery infrastructures. With a smartphone, foreigners can order from thousands of restaurants.
1. Major Delivery Apps Compared
| App | Market Share | Highlights | Foreigners? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baemin (배달의민족) | ~60% | Largest platform, Baemin1 direct delivery | Yes (Korean phone number needed) |
| Coupang Eats | ~25% | Single-order delivery, fast | Links to Coupang account |
| Yogiyo | ~15% | Coupon discounts | Yes |
2. How to Sign Up as a Foreigner
- Korean phone number (SIM) required for SMS verification
- Payment: Kakao Pay, Toss, credit card, Naver Pay
- Address: enter Korean road-name address
- Baemin offers partial English UI (Settings > Language)
3. How to Order
- Install app → set delivery address → choose restaurant
- Select menu items and add to cart
- Choose payment method and confirm order
- Estimated delivery: 20–40 minutes average
Tip: "Baemin1" offers single-item delivery — faster (15–20 min) but higher delivery fee.
4. Delivery Fees and Minimum Orders
| App | Delivery Fee | Minimum Order |
|---|---|---|
| Baemin | Free–₩5,000 (varies by restaurant) | Usually ₩8,000–15,000 |
| Coupang Eats | Free–₩3,000 (discounts for Rocket subscribers) | ~₩12,000 |
| Yogiyo | Free–₩3,000 | ~₩10,000 |
5. Payment Methods
- Credit/debit card (Visa/Mastercard accepted)
- Kakao Pay, Naver Pay, Toss
- Coupang Eats: Coupang linked payment
- Cash on delivery (available at select restaurants)
6. Food Categories and Recommendations
| Category | Popular Items |
|---|---|
| Korean | Fried chicken, jokbal (pork feet), bossam, rice soup |
| Chinese-Korean | Jajangmyeon, jjamppong, malatang |
| Japanese | Sushi, tonkatsu, ramen |
| Fast Food | McDonald's, Burger King, Pizza Hut |
| Street Food | Tteokbokki, instant noodles, gimbap |
| Desserts | Cafe desserts, ice cream |
7. Tips and Precautions
- Use Korean address format for accurate delivery
- Check ratings before ordering (4.5+ stars recommended)
- Expect delays during peak hours: lunch 12–1pm, dinner 6–8pm
- Delivery notifications come via app and SMS
8. FAQ
Q. Can I use delivery apps without a Korean phone number?
A. Most apps require SMS verification with a Korean number. Try getting a Korean SIM or signing up via Kakao account.
Q. Can I pay with a foreign credit card?
A. Yes. Visa and Mastercard are accepted by most delivery apps.
Q. Are menus available in English?
A. Baemin offers English menus at some restaurants. Coupang Eats has limited translation features.
Q. What if my delivery is late?
A. Contact the in-app customer service via chat. Use a translation app if needed.
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