Are Korean Restaurants Kid-Friendly? A Local Dad's Guide to High Chairs, Etiquette, and More

 One of the first things you'll notice when you enter a restaurant in Korea with a child is how warm and welcoming the staff usually are. As a father of 5-year-old Woobin, I’ve had my fair share of dining experiences across the country—from high-end hotels to tiny back-alley noodle shops. While Korea is generally very "kid-friendly," there are some local norms and facility gaps that might surprise you. Today, I’ll give you the real scoop on what to expect when dining out with your family in Korea.

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1. High Chairs: Availability and Reality

In major cities like Seoul and Busan, most modern restaurants and malls are well-equipped with High Chairs (Agi-uija).

• Malls & Department Stores: This is your "Safe Zone." Places like Lotte World Mall or Starfield COEX have plenty of high chairs and spacious seating.

• Traditional Restaurants: Some older, traditional spots might not have them. However, many of these places have floor seating (Jwasik).

• Local Dad’s Tip: If there’s no high chair, floor seating can actually be a blessing! Woobin used to love crawling around (within our space) while we ate. Just make sure to keep children away from the hot stove if you're at a BBQ place.

2. The "No Kids Zone" Trend

You might have heard about "No Kids Zones" in Korea. While they do exist, don't let the news scare you.

• Where are they? Usually small, quiet cafes or high-end fine dining spots geared towards couples.

• How to spot them: Most will have a sign at the entrance. If you’re unsure, simply show your child and ask, "Ok?"

• Experience: In my experience, 95% of restaurants are "Yes Kids Zones." In fact, many local "Ajummas" (older ladies) will often come over to say hello to your baby or even offer extra side dishes for them!

3. Free Side Dishes (Banchan) – A Parent's Best Friend

One of the best parts of Korean dining is the Banchan. These are free, refillable side dishes served with your meal.

• Kid-Friendly Banchan: Look for Kim (roasted seaweed), Gyeran-mari (rolled omelet), or Myeolchi-bokkeum (sweet dried anchovies).

• Dad’s Tip: If the main dish is a bit spicy, I often ask for a bowl of plain rice and some extra seaweed. Most restaurants will provide these for children at a very low cost or even for free.

4. Dining Etiquette for Families

• Self-Service: In many casual spots, water and certain side dishes are "self-service." Look for the "Self" sign near the kitchen.

• Be Mindful of the Grill: Korean BBQ is amazing, but the charcoal grills are very hot and usually at table height. Keep a close eye on wandering hands!

• Diaper Changes: Most small restaurants do not have changing tables in their restrooms. I highly recommend using the nursing rooms in department stores or subway stations before or after your meal.

5. Best Times to Eat Out

To avoid long waits and crowded spaces, try to eat slightly earlier than the local rush.

• Lunch: 11:30 AM (Instead of 12:30 PM)

• Dinner: 5:30 PM (Instead of 7:00 PM)

Overall, Korea is a wonderful place to enjoy a meal with your children. The culture values family, and you’ll find that most people are quite patient with kids. Have you ever encountered a "No Kids Zone" or had a particularly heartwarming experience with a local restaurant owner? Share your stories in the comments below! I’d love to hear how your little ones are enjoying Korean hospitality.