Do I need to tip in Korea?

Korea has essentially no tipping culture, and in most situations leaving a tip would feel awkward or even insulting. Restaurant prices, taxi fares, hotel services, salon prices, and bar bills all include service. The phrase 봉사료 포함 (service charge included) is standard. Trying to leave cash on a restaurant table or extra at a coffee shop typically gets the staff chasing after you to return your 'forgotten' change.

There are a few exceptions where tipping is acceptable but not required: Hotel bellhops at 5-star international hotels (Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Four Seasons) sometimes receive 1,000 to 5,000 won for heavy bag handling. Tour guides on private day tours often appreciate 10,000 to 30,000 won at the end (Klook and Trazy guides especially). Spa massage therapists at premium spas occasionally receive 5,000 to 10,000 won handed in an envelope, but it's rare. Long-term housekeepers or babysitters sometimes get holiday bonuses (Lunar New Year, Chuseok). Western-style restaurants with foreign chefs may have an 'Add Tip' button on the card terminal, but Koreans almost never use it.

Where not to tip: Taxis (drivers will return change to the won), restaurants of any tier including high-end, salons (you pay the menu price), delivery drivers (already paid in app), bartenders (pour your own from the bottle anyway), or hotel housekeeping (they'll think it's lost cash). Most service quality in Korea is high regardless of tipping since service is part of professional pride and the salary structure expects no extra income.

If you're with a Korean group at hoesik (회식, company dinner), the most senior person typically pays for everyone, so you don't need to figure out individual tipping. Rather than tipping, expressing gratitude in Korean (감사합니다, 잘 먹었습니다 'I ate well' after meals) and being polite goes much further. Western tour groups sometimes still pool tips for guides at the end of multi-day tours, which is fine since guides understand the international expectation. But for daily life, save your tip money since your bill is what you pay.