Food Delivery in South Korea for Tourists: Your 2025 Guide

Learn how tourists can order food delivery in South Korea without a local phone number, ID, or language skills!

Exploring South Korea as a tourist is an exhilarating experience, filled with vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and of course, delicious cuisine. While dining out at local restaurants is a must, experiencing the convenience and variety of South Korea's food delivery scene is an adventure not to be missed! Whether you're looking for a late-night snack in the comfort of your hotel, or simply craving fried chicken for a picnic by the Han River, this essential guide will help you navigate the world of Korean food delivery as a tourist.

South Korea's Food Delivery Landscape

South Korea has one of the world’s most advanced food delivery systems, but many apps are designed for residents. Until recently, international tourists often struggled due to language barriers and the need for a Korean phone number, ARC (Alien Registration Card), or local credit card.

The good news: that’s changing. Major platforms like Baemin, Coupang Eats, and Shuttle are increasingly tourist-friendly. You can now order Korean fried chicken or Jajangmyeon straight to your hotel, even without a local SIM.

Quick Comparison – Best Korean Food Delivery Apps for Tourists (2025)

App	English Interface	Accepts Intl Credit Card	Korean Phone/ARC Required	Best For
Shuttle	Yes	Yes	No	Easiest option for tourists
Baemin	Korean only	Yes (since May 2024)	No	Widest restaurant selection
Coupang Eats	Yes	Yes	Occasionally	Fast delivery, intuitive UI
Yogiyo	Korean only	Limited	Yes	Not recommended for tourists

Korean Food Delivery App Breakdown

Shuttle Delivery

Shuttle Delivery stands out as one of the most foreigner-friendly platforms available. It was specifically designed with international users in mind, making it an excellent choice for tourists.

Pros: English interface, easy-to-use app, international payment support (accepts Visa/Mastercard), no Korean phone or ID needed.
Cons: Smaller restaurant selection, especially outside expat neighborhoods (like Itaewon or Hongdae).

Baedal Minjok (Baemin)

Baedal Minjok, commonly known as Baemin, is the largest and most popular food delivery app in South Korea. Historically, it was challenging for tourists to use due to strict local requirements. However, as of May 2024, Baemin has significantly opened up its services to foreigners, making it a game-changer for tourists.

Pros: Widest range of local restaurants, fastest delivery speeds.
Cons: No English UI (use Google Lens to translate in real time).

Coupang Eats

An English-friendly app with fast delivery and good restaurant variety. You may still encounter occasional verification steps, but most tourists can navigate it.

Pros: Reliable and fast, clean interface. Good selection of restaurants.
Cons: Some features may still ask for local verification, especially outside Seoul.

Yogiyo

Yogiyo is another major food delivery app in South Korea, but it has become less accessible for short-term tourists in recent years.

Pros: Extensive restaurant selection for those who can access it.
Cons: The requirement for ARC and Korean-only interface makes it generally not recommended for tourists without a local ID.

Alternative Solutions: Proxy Services for Seamless Ordering

Even with the increasing foreigner-friendliness of major food delivery apps, there might be situations where you encounter difficulties, or you simply prefer a more hands-off approach. This is where proxy services come in handy. These services act as intermediaries, helping foreigners and short-term visitors place orders and even assist with other tasks that might be challenging without local language skills or identification.

Go Wonderfully

Go Wonderfully operates somewhat like a personal assistant service. You can reach out to them through various communication channels, including Facebook Messenger, Email, or KakaoTalk, and simply let them know what you need assistance with. Their services extend to other tasks in addition to food delivery, such as making reservations on Naver (a popular Korean search engine and platform).

Pricing: Per-minute fee, so the cost depends on the complexity and time required to fulfill your request.
Availability: Mon–Sat, 10 AM–8 PM KST

Help Me Emo

Help Me Emo is a service that specifically specializes in assisting with food delivery orders for foreigners. They primarily accepts requests via KakaoTalk, through their account @helpmeemo2.

Pricing: Flat rate of KRW 3,500 per order
Availability: Available from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM KST daily

What to Eat – Korean Delivery Classics

Make the most of your stay with these popular delivery options:

Korean Fried Chicken (Chimaek): Try crispy, soy garlic, or yangnyeom paired with beer.
Jajangmyeon: Black bean noodles, best eaten delivered.
Tteokbokki: Spicy rice cakes with fish cakes and egg.
Jjamppong: Fiery seafood noodle soup.
Tangsuyook: Sweet and sour pork.
Gimbap: Easy-to-eat seaweed rice rolls.
Jokbal / Bossam: Braised pig's feet and sliced pork belly—hearty and flavorful.

Practical Tips for Tourists Ordering Food Delivery

To ensure a smooth and successful food delivery experience in South Korea, especially as a tourist, keep these practical tips in mind:

Address Tips: Use the map pin feature in-app or get your hotel staff to write your address in Korean.
Payment: Stick with apps that support international cards (Shuttle, Coupang Eats, Baemin).
Translation Help: Use Google Lens or Papago to navigate Korean-only apps.
Minimum Orders & Fees: Most apps require a minimum spend and charge delivery fees (₩1,000–₩5,000).
Tipping: Not expected.
Connectivity: Use a Nomad eSIM for Korea to stay online and order easily without relying on public Wi-Fi.

Stay Connected With a Nomad Travel eSIM and Enjoy Culinary Delights at Your Doorstep

South Korea's food delivery culture is a marvel of convenience and culinary diversity. It might seem daunting at first for tourists, but with the right information and tools, you can easily tap into this incredible service. So, as you plan your exciting journey to Seoul, Busan, Jeju, or any other part of South Korea, remember that a world of delicious food is just a few taps away.

While satisfying your hunger pangs, stay connected in Korea with a Nomad travel eSIM for Korea. Nomad's eSIMs give you access to affordable data eSIMs in over 200 destinations worldwide — including Korea. Get connected, download the recommended apps, and prepare to enhance your travel experience with the unparalleled convenience of Korean food delivery. Happy eating!