My child is starting school in Korea and I'm worried about the school lunch system?

The Korean school lunch system is actually one of the nice things about schooling here. Public schools provide a hot, balanced lunch cooked on-site or catered, typically rice, soup, a main protein, side dishes, and kimchi, with a rotating monthly menu, and in many regions it is free or heavily subsidized. The food is generally nutritious and overseen by a nutritionist, though it is Korean-style and can be spicy, so it may take your child time to adjust. Kids normally eat what is served, and bringing lunch from home is uncommon and sometimes not allowed in public schools since the shared meal is part of the system, but policies vary, so ask the school. For allergies and dietary restrictions this is important to communicate clearly: schools publish the monthly menu with allergens marked by number, and you should inform the homeroom teacher and the nutritionist in writing about any allergy or restriction such as halal, vegetarian, or a specific food allergy. Many schools can provide some accommodation or at least flag dishes to avoid, though full custom meals are not always possible. Get the monthly menu, learn the allergen numbering, and set up a clear conversation with the teacher and nutritionist at the start of the term.