Food Delivery in Korea: How to Use Baemin, Coupang Eats & More

Quick Answer

Korea has the most advanced food delivery culture on earth. Over 80% of Koreans order via app at least once a week, and deliveries arrive in 15-30 minutes on average. For foreigners, Coupang Eats is the easiest starting point (English UI, accepts some foreign cards). Shuttle Delivery is fully English-native and takes international cards, but covers fewer areas. As of February 2026, Baemin added AI-powered English/Chinese/Japanese support and now accepts foreign credit cards, making it a strong option too.

You do not need to tip. You do not need to speak Korean. You can get food delivered to parks, hotel lobbies, and subway station entrances.

App Comparison Table

Baemin (배달의민족)

The biggest app in Korea. Now foreigner-accessible.

Baemin is Korea’s dominant delivery platform with the widest restaurant selection. In February 2026, operator Woowa Brothers (Baemin) rolled out AI-powered multilingual support using a large language model. You can now search restaurants, browse menus, pay, and track delivery in English, Chinese, or Japanese.

Registration & Access

• Download from App Store / Google Play
• You can skip login and order as a guest (close the login screen when it appears)
• If registering, foreign phone numbers work. Include your country code (e.g., +1 for US)
• No ARC required for guest orders
• Foreign credit cards now accepted through the NICEPAY payment gateway (added 2026)
• Cash on delivery is also available

English Support

• AI-translated menus and UI (not perfect, but functional)
• Search, ordering flow, and delivery tracking all available in English
• Some restaurant-specific notes and reviews remain in Korean

Best For

• Widest restaurant selection in any area
• Late-night orders (many restaurants open until 2-4 AM)
• Areas outside Seoul where other apps have limited coverage

Limitations

• AI translations can be awkward for some menu items
• Some payment methods (Korean-only e-wallets) unavailable to foreigners
• App interface can feel cluttered compared to Coupang Eats

Source: Korea Times, “Baedal Minjok rolls out Japanese, Chinese, English ordering options,” Feb 4, 2026; latteinseoul.com, “How to Use Baemin in Korea: English App & Foreign Cards (2026 Guide)”; koreaexperience.com, “How to Order on Baemin Without an ARC in Korea (2026)“

Coupang Eats

Fastest delivery. Best English interface. But requires ARC for full access.

Coupang Eats is widely considered the most foreigner-friendly app for residents. The interface is natively available in English, menus are auto-translated, and delivery is consistently fast (15-20 minutes average). It is part of the Coupang ecosystem (Korea’s Amazon equivalent).

Registration & Access

• Download from App Store / Google Play
• Go to Settings and switch language to English
• Requires a Korean phone number (verified via SMS)
• Requires an ARC (Alien Registration Card) for full registration
• Without ARC, you cannot complete signup. Tourists generally cannot use this app independently

Payment

• Korean credit/debit cards work smoothly
• Some international Visa/Mastercard cards are accepted, but results vary
• Kakao Pay, Naver Pay, and other Korean e-wallets supported
• No cash on delivery option

Coverage

• Seoul, Gyeonggi, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, and other major cities
• Strongest coverage in Seoul metro area

Delivery Fee

• With Coupang Wow membership (4,990 won/month): free delivery on most orders
• Without membership: 2,000-4,000 won per order

Best For

• Expats and long-term residents with ARC
• Speed-sensitive orders
• People already using Coupang for shopping (one ecosystem)

Limitations

• Not accessible to tourists without ARC
• Rocket Wow membership features require ARC
• Foreign card acceptance is inconsistent

Source: wisefullife.com, “Korean Food Delivery App Guide 2025”; enkostay.com, “How to Use Food Delivery Apps in Korea”; expatguidekorea.com, “How To Use Coupang Eats”; latteinseoul.com, “How Foreigners Can Successfully Order from Coupang in Korea (Updated 2026)“

Yogiyo (요기요)

Cheapest delivery fees. Korean only. Requires workarounds.

Yogiyo is the budget option with the lowest delivery fees. However, it has no English support in the app and requires a Korean phone number and Korean payment method.

Registration & Access

• Download from App Store / Google Play
• Requires a Korean phone number for registration
• Requires a Korean-issued payment card (foreign cards do not work)
• Cash on delivery is available as a workaround for the card issue

English Workaround

• Use the Yogiyo website (yogiyo.co.kr) in Chrome browser
• Chrome’s built-in Google Translate will auto-translate menus, restaurant names, and the ordering flow
• This is significantly easier than navigating the Korean-only app

Best For

• Budget-conscious expats with Korean bank accounts
• Areas where Yogiyo has exclusive restaurant partnerships
• Users comfortable with Korean or translation tools

Limitations

• No native English support whatsoever
• Foreign cards completely unsupported
• App is Korean-only; website workaround is clunky but functional
• Smaller restaurant network than Baemin

Source: gowonderfully.com, “Best Food Delivery Apps in Korea for Foreigners (2025)”; 10mag.com, “Best Food Delivery Apps in Korea for Foreigners & How To Use (2025)“

Shuttle Delivery

Built for foreigners. English-native. Accepts international cards. Limited coverage.

Shuttle Delivery was specifically built for the international community in Korea, including expats, tourists, and U.S. military personnel. It is the only major delivery app where you need zero Korean infrastructure to order.

Registration & Access

• Download from App Store / Google Play
• No Korean phone number needed
• No ARC needed
• No Korean bank account needed
• Sign up with email

Payment

• International credit cards (Visa, Mastercard)
• PayPal
• Kakao Pay
• Korean credit cards

English Support

• Fully native English interface (not translated, written in English)
• English customer support via live chat
• Also available in Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, Japanese, and Chinese

Coverage (Limited)

• Seoul: Yongsan-gu, Gangnam-gu, Mapo-gu, Seodaemun-gu, Jung-gu, Jongno-gu, Gwangjin-gu
• Gyeonggi-do: Pyeongtaek (near U.S. military base Camp Humphreys)
• Busan: Haeundae, Gwangan-ri, Seo-myeon
• Daegu: Nam-gu
• Not available in most other areas

Grocery Option

• Shuttle Market offers next-day grocery delivery within service areas

Best For

• Tourists with no Korean phone or card
• Short-term visitors
• U.S. military personnel
• Anyone who wants zero friction in English

Limitations

• Significantly smaller restaurant selection than Korean apps
• Higher delivery fees (2,000-5,000 won)
• Coverage limited to specific neighborhoods
• Delivery can be slower (30-50 minutes)

Source: english.visitkorea.or.kr, “SHUTTLE Delivery: The Must-Have Food Delivery App for Foreigners”; gowonderfully.com (2025); shuttledelivery.co.kr

How to Order (Step-by-Step)

Using Coupang Eats (recommended for residents with ARC)

Step 1: Download & Set Language

1. Search “Coupang Eats” in App Store or Google Play
2. Download and open the app
3. Go to My Page (bottom right icon) > Settings > Language
4. Select English

Step 2: Create Account

1. Tap Sign Up
2. Enter your Korean phone number (you will receive an SMS verification code)
3. Enter your ARC number when prompted
4. Set a password

Step 3: Set Your Address

1. Tap the address bar at the top of the home screen
2. Search your address in Korean (copy-paste from a map app if needed)
3. Add detail like apartment number, floor, or building name
4. Save the address

Step 4: Add Payment Method

1. Go to My Page > Payment Methods
2. Tap Add Card
3. Scan your card with your phone camera or enter details manually
4. Korean cards work best; some international Visa/Mastercard may work

Step 5: Browse & Order

1. Browse restaurants on the home screen (sorted by distance and rating)
2. Tap a restaurant to see the menu (auto-translated to English)
3. Select items, customize options (size, spice level, extras)
4. Tap Add to Cart
5. Review your cart and tap Order

Step 6: Add Delivery Instructions

1. Before confirming, add delivery notes:
   • Building entrance code (공동현관 비밀번호)
   • “Please leave at the door” = 문 앞에 놓아주세요
   • “Please don’t ring the bell” = 벨 누르지 마세요
2. Confirm the order

Step 7: Track & Receive

1. Real-time tracking shows the rider’s location on a map
2. You will receive a push notification when the food arrives
3. Most orders arrive in 15-20 minutes

Alternative for tourists (no ARC): Use Shuttle Delivery (same flow but in native English, no Korean phone or card needed) or Baemin as a guest.

Payment Options for Foreigners

What Works

Kakao Pay for Foreigners (Updated Nov 2025)

Kakao Pay launched Global Home in November 2025, a redesigned interface for foreign residents. Key improvements:

• Multilingual support: English, Chinese, Vietnamese (auto-detects device language)
• Simplified card registration, QR payments, and transfers
• Foreign residents with ARC can register Korean bank accounts (see our bank account guide for how to open one)
• Through Alipay+ integration, foreign tourists can pay via their home country’s e-wallet at Kakao Pay QR points

To set up: Download KakaoTalk > Open Kakao Pay within the app > Follow the “Global Home” setup flow.

Source: Korea Herald, “Living in Korea? Kakao Pay just made payments easier for foreigners,” Nov 2025; Korea Herald, “Kakao Pay expands multilingual support for foreign users,” Feb 2026; koreatechtoday.com, “Kakao Pay Rolls Out Global Home,” 2025

Workarounds If You Have No Korean Card

1. Cash on delivery (Baemin, Yogiyo) - select “현금” at checkout
2. Shuttle Delivery - accepts PayPal and international cards
3. Baemin guest order - now accepts foreign Visa/MC through NICEPAY (2026)
4. Ask a Korean friend to order on their account (common practice)
5. Help Me Emo - a KakaoTalk-based service that places orders on your behalf for a fee

Grocery Delivery

Korea’s grocery delivery is world-class. Order by midnight, get fresh groceries by 7 AM.

Coupang Rocket Fresh

• What: Fresh produce, meat, dairy, frozen items, household goods
• Speed: Order by midnight, delivered by 7 AM next day (dawn delivery)
• English: Coupang app supports English (switch in settings)
• Requirement: Korean phone + ARC + Coupang Wow membership (4,990 won/month) for free delivery
• Min order: 19,800 won
• Foreign cards: Limited acceptance
• Cold chain: Items arrive in insulated bags with ice packs, even ice cream stays frozen
• Coverage: Seoul, major metro areas
• Note: Rocket Fresh and Wow membership features are not available to non-ARC holders

Market Kurly (마켓컬리)

• What: Premium groceries, organic produce, specialty items, meal kits
• Speed: “Saetbyeol Delivery” (dawn delivery) - order by 11 PM, delivered by 7 AM
• English: App has partial English support; some product descriptions in Korean
• Requirement: Korean phone + Korean payment method
• Min order: 15,000 won (free delivery over 40,000 won)
• Reputation: Curated, high-quality selection. Popular among expats for hard-to-find international ingredients
• Coverage: Seoul, Gyeonggi, major cities
• MAU: 4.49 million monthly active users as of December 2025

SSG.com (SSG Fresh)

• What: Groceries from Shinsegae/Emart (Korea’s largest retailer)
• Speed: Same-day or next-day delivery
• English: Minimal English support
• Requirement: Korean phone + Korean payment
• Strength: Wide product range tied to physical Emart stores
• Coverage: Nationwide

Homeplus Online

• What: Supermarket delivery from Homeplus stores
• Speed: Same-day or scheduled delivery
• English: Limited
• Good for: Bulk household shopping, competitive prices

Quick Comparison

Source: gowonderfully.com, “A Foreigner’s Guide to Online Grocery Shopping (2025)”; flipkorea.com, “Supermarket Delivery Apps in Korea: The Complete Guide (2025)”; globalfoodhub.com, “7 Essential Korean Grocery Delivery Services for 2025”; Korea Herald, Dec 2025 (Kurly MAU data)

Delivery Tips & Etiquette

Door Codes (공동현관 비밀번호)

Most Korean apartment buildings have a keypad at the main entrance. If you don’t provide the code in your delivery notes, the driver will call you, and that call will be in Korean. Always add your building entrance code in the “delivery instructions” field.

Common Delivery Instructions (Copy-Paste Ready)

• Leave at the door: 문 앞에 놓아주세요
• Don’t ring the bell: 벨 누르지 마세요
• Please call when you arrive: 도착하면 전화 주세요
• Leave at the door, no bell, please be quiet: 문 앞에 두세요. 벨 누르지 마세요. 조용히 부탁드려요
• Building entrance code is [XXXX]: 공동현관 비밀번호 [XXXX]

Tipping

Tipping is not expected in Korea. There is no tipping function in any Korean delivery app. This is not rude. Drivers are paid by the platform. The best way to show appreciation is to give clear delivery instructions, pick up promptly if they call, and leave a positive review.

Contactless Delivery

Contactless (“문 앞에 놓아주세요”) is the default for most orders. The driver will leave your food at your door, take a photo as proof of delivery, and send it through the app. You will get a notification when it arrives.

Delivery to Non-Home Locations

You can get food delivered to:

• Hotel lobbies (give the hotel name and “lobby” as address detail)
• Hangang (Han River) parks (specific park entrance + bench area)
• Office buildings (add floor and company name)
• Subway station entrances (specify exit number)
• Camping grounds

Weather Surcharges

During heavy rain, snow, or extreme heat, delivery fees may increase by 1,000-3,000 won and wait times may double. This is normal.

If the Driver Calls

Drivers may call if they cannot find your location or need your door code. If you don’t speak Korean, these phrases help:

• I don’t speak Korean: 한국어 못해요 (hangugeo mothaeyo)
• Please leave it at the door: 문 앞에 놓아주세요 (mun ape noajuseyo)
• Thank you: 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida)

Packaging & Disposal

Korean delivery packaging is extensive (sealed containers, bags, sometimes actual dishes from traditional restaurants). For disposable packaging, separate into recycling categories. If a restaurant sends reusable dishes (less common now), leave them outside your door and the restaurant will collect them.

Common Questions

Q: I’m a tourist with no Korean phone number or card. What can I use? A: Shuttle Delivery is your best option. It requires no Korean phone, no ARC, and accepts international cards and PayPal. As of 2026, Baemin also allows guest ordering with foreign phone numbers and cards, though the experience is less polished than Shuttle.

Q: Can I use a foreign credit card on Baemin? A: Yes, as of February 2026. Baemin integrated the NICEPAY gateway for international cards. Visa and Mastercard are supported.

Q: Is there a minimum order amount? A: It depends on the restaurant. Many have minimums of 10,000-15,000 won. Delivery apps show the minimum order clearly on each restaurant’s page.

Q: Can I order delivery to my Airbnb? A: Yes. Use the exact address from your Airbnb listing. Add the building entrance door code and floor/room number in delivery instructions. If you don’t have the door code, ask your host.

Q: What’s the cheapest way to get delivery? A: Yogiyo generally has the lowest delivery fees. Coupang Eats with Wow membership (4,990 won/month) offers free delivery, which saves money if you order frequently. Baemin occasionally runs free delivery promotions.

Q: Can I schedule a delivery for later? A: Baemin and Coupang Eats both support scheduled/reserved delivery for select restaurants. Look for a “scheduled delivery” or “예약 배달” option at checkout.

Q: What are typical delivery hours? A: Most restaurants deliver from 10 AM to midnight. Many chicken, pizza, and late-night restaurants deliver until 2-4 AM. Breakfast delivery is limited.

Q: How do I handle food allergies? A: Add allergy information in the delivery notes field in Korean. For example: “땅콩 알레르기” (peanut allergy), “해산물 알레르기” (seafood allergy). However, allergy labeling is not as standardized as in Western countries, so exercise extra caution.

Sources

All sources below were published or last updated in 2025 or 2026.

• gowonderfully.com - Best Food Delivery Apps in Korea for Foreigners (2025)
• wisefullife.com - Korean Food Delivery App Guide 2025: Baemin vs Coupang Eats
• enkostay.com - How to Use Food Delivery Apps in Korea (2025)
• nomadesim.com - Food Delivery in South Korea for Tourists: 2025 Guide
• 10mag.com - Best Food Delivery Apps in Korea for Foreigners (2025)
• latteinseoul.com - How to Use Baemin in Korea: English App & Foreign Cards (2026)
• latteinseoul.com - How Foreigners Can Order from Coupang in Korea (2026)
• koreaexperience.com - How to Order on Baemin Without an ARC (2026)
• Korea Times - Baedal Minjok rolls out English/Chinese/Japanese ordering (Feb 4, 2026)
• Korea Herald - Kakao Pay Global Home for foreign residents (Nov 2025)
• Korea Herald - Kakao Pay expands multilingual support (Feb 2026)
• Korea Herald - Coupang data leak boosts Kurly, SSG (Dec 2025)
• koreatechtoday.com - Kakao Pay Rolls Out Global Home (2025)
• expatguidekorea.com - How To Use Coupang Eats (2025)
• flipkorea.com - Supermarket Delivery Apps in Korea: Complete Guide (2025)
• globalfoodhub.com - 7 Essential Korean Grocery Delivery Services (2025)
• gowonderfully.com - Foreigner’s Guide to Online Grocery Shopping (2025)
• kj.nomardy.com - Korean Delivery Etiquette: 9 Essential Rules (2025)
• Grand View Research - South Korea Online Food Delivery Market (2025)
• english.visitkorea.or.kr - SHUTTLE Delivery for Foreigners
• Korea Times - Coupang introduces English app (May 2025)
• shuttledelivery.co.kr - Official Shuttle Delivery site