More Koreans are eating alone, a reflection of rising single-person households and a broader trend toward individual and budget-friendly dining. Yet many restaurants in South Korea still refuse to serve solo diners, leaving a gap between consumer demand and the pace of change in the food industry. Some warn that this reluctance could weaken the restaurant sector’s competitiveness. Restaurant owners argue that accepting solo diners is challenging because of the rising cost of food and labor. In addition, single diners lower both sales per table and turnover. South Korean law states that selecting customers falls under the business owner’s discretion and is not a violation of fair trade principles. Of roughly 170,000 restaurants nationwide, only about 10% offer single-person meals.
