How much will you actually spend on food in Korea? Pick a travel style, adjust what a typical day looks like, and the calculator shows your cost per day and for the whole trip, in Korean won and your own currency. The prices come from the Korea Consumer Agency’s 2026 dining-out survey for Seoul and real 2026 menu prices, the same data as our Seoul food prices guide.
Your trip
A typical day
Per person, per day
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Per person, whole trip
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Group total
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Exchange rates update daily when available. If they cannot load, the calculator uses an approximate rate, so treat the converted figure as a guide.
How the numbers are set
| Item | Price used | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience store breakfast | ₩6,500 | Typical convenience store meal ₩5,000–8,000 |
| Gimbap shop lunch | ₩8,000 | Gimbap averages ₩3,869 a roll in Seoul (July 2026), plus ramyeon or a side |
| Korean set meal | ₩9,000 | Kimchi jjigae set averages ₩8,769 in Seoul (Aug 2026) |
| Noodle or bibimbap spot | ₩13,000 | Bibimbap ₩11,769, naengmyeon ₩12,692 Seoul averages |
| Gukbap breakfast | ₩10,000 | Typical pork or beef soup set |
| Fried chicken and beer | ₩17,000 per person | Whole chicken ₩20,000–25,000 shared by two, plus a beer |
| Korean BBQ | ₩30,000 per person | Pork belly averages ₩21,321 per 200 g, plus rice, stew and a drink |
| Coffee | ₩2,000 or ₩4,700 | Mega MGC iced Americano ₩2,000; Starbucks Korea tall ₩4,700 |
| Splurge meal | ₩70,000 per person | A rough estimate for fine dining, a hanwoo beef dinner or a shared sashimi platter |
5 ways Koreans eat well for less
- Eat your big meal at lunch. Many restaurants run weekday lunch specials, called jeomsim teukseon, that cost noticeably less than the same food at dinner.
- Drink budget coffee. Chains like Mega MGC and Compose sell an iced Americano for about ₩2,000, less than half of Starbucks. Over a week of two coffees a day, that saves around ₩35,000.
- Use convenience store deals. Look for “1+1” and “2+1” stickers on drinks and snacks. Our convenience store food guide lists the best buys.
- Never pay for side dishes or water. Banchan refills and water are free at Korean restaurants, and there is no tipping or service charge.
- Solo? Check the BBQ minimum. Most Korean BBQ places require at least two servings. Gukbap, gimbap and noodle shops are cheaper and made for eating alone.
Order it like a local: 점심 특선 있어요? (jeomsim teukseon isseoyo?) — “Do you have a lunch special?”
FAQ
How much does food cost per day in Seoul?
About ₩30,000–40,000 per person on a budget, ₩60,000–100,000 mid-range, and more if you add a splurge dinner. Use the calculator above to match your own eating style.
Is food in Korea expensive?
Everyday Korean food is good value: a gimbap roll averages under ₩4,000 and a set meal under ₩10,000 in Seoul. Korean BBQ, imported fruit, coffee shop drinks and hanwoo beef are where costs add up.
Do I need cash for food in Korea?
Restaurants and convenience stores take cards almost everywhere. Carry a little cash for market stalls and street carts. If you have allergies or diet rules, bring a Korean allergy card too.