๐ฝ๏ธ What Do Korean Office Workers Eat for Lunch?
- Green Team
- Jul 6
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 6
"Do Koreans eat Korean food every day at work?""Whatโs lunch like if I get a job in Korea?"
๐ The answer? So many options!
From homestyle Korean mealsย to salads, convenience store lunchboxes, pho, and sashimi rice bowlsโKorean office workers enjoy a surprisingly wide varietyย of lunches depending on their mood, schedule, and company location. ๐
โฐ Korean Lunch Culture at Work
Lunch break usually runs from 12:00 to 1:00 PM
Most people go out to nearby restaurants with coworkers
If restaurants are limited, they eat at the company cafeteria
Average lunch cost:ย โฉ7,000โ10,000 ($5โ$8 USD)
Fast and efficient eatingโpeople often finish lunch in under an hour!
๐ฒ 7 Popular Lunch Menus in Korea
Baekban (Set Meal)A full tray with rice, soup, meat, and vegetablesโlike a Korean home-cooked meal!
Kimchi Stew / Soybean Paste StewSpicy and warm, perfect with white riceโespecially popular in winter ๐ฒ
Bibimbap / Hoe-deopbap (Sashimi Rice Bowl)Mixed vegetables and meat with spicy sauceโhealthy and quick!
Jajangmyeon / Jjamppong (Chinese-style noodles)Must-have lunch options near almost every office ๐
Tonkatsu / Udon (Japanese-style)Light and satisfyingโperfect for a calmer meal
Asian Dishes (Pho, Bun Cha, etc.)Seoul has tons of Southeast Asian restaurantsโplenty of variety!
Convenience Store Lunch BoxesGreat for solo eaters or busy daysโcheap, fast, and surprisingly tasty!
๐ฉโ๐ณ Real Story from an Office Worker
Nam (29, from Vietnam)ย works at a startup in Korea.At first, kimchi stewย felt too spicy, but now he has a favorite lunch spotย near the office.His new go-to dish? Spicy soft tofu stew! ๐ฅ๐
"It felt unfamiliar at first, but now lunchtime with my coworkers is the highlight of my day!"
โ Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I have to eat with coworkers?๐ Not at all! While many do, eating alone (honbap)ย is also totally accepted these days.
Q. I follow a vegetarian or halal diet. Is that okay?๐ Yes! Especially in Seoul, there are many vegetarian and halal restaurants, and youโll find more options at convenience stores and supermarkets too.
Q. I canโt handle spicy food. Will I be okay?๐ Most places can make food less spicyย if you ask.Start with mild soups or bibimbapย to ease into Korean flavors!
โ Summary
Korean office lunches include Korean stews, rice bowls, noodles, Asian dishes, and more!
Lunch break is from 12:00โ1:00 PM, and meals are usually fast and efficient
Eating alone is okay, and different dietary needs are increasingly respected
Lunch is a great time to bond with coworkers too ๐
๐ฌ Is your resume ready?๐ Submit your resume here
If you start working in Korea,your lunch break might just become the most delicious partย of your day! ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ท
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