How to make restaurant reservations in Korea

While many Koreans simply call restaurants to reserve tables for special occasions, this can be trickier for non-Korean speakers. Luckily, user-friendly apps have come to the rescue, making the reservation process much easier and ensuring a smooth dining experience in Korea.

Naver 예약

Naver website Naver Maps website

Naver is one of the most popular platforms among Koreans and foreigners. You can book appointments for hair salons, hospitals, clinics, and restaurants. You can surely get access to various establishments, however, you would need a Korean Phone number as well as basic knowledge in Korean to be able to optimize the search feature.

Steps on how to make a reservation on Naver:

• Step 1: Make sure that you already have a naver account.
• Step 2: Log in Naver maps or Naver using your account details.
• Step 3: Type in your desired restaurant in the search bar.
• Step 4: Click on the restaurant name that matches your search.
• Step 5: Check if the restaurant accepts reservations. If they do you should be able to find a 'Book' or "예약" button. 
• Step 6: Click on this button. Then select which type reservation you would like.
• Step 7: Select a Date, Time, and number of guests.
• Step 8: Check if Personal information is correct.
• Step 9: Click on the Confirm Booking Button.
• A confirmation message will be sent to the number you have registered
• You can now go to the restaurant and show them your reservation message or tell them which name you used to make the reservation.

If you do not have a particular restaurant you want to visit and would just like to choose a restaurant that accepts reservations, you can follow these steps:

• Step 1:  On the search bar, enter a location + 맛집 then press enter. For example 명동 맛집 for restaurants in Myeongdong.
• Step 2: At the filter option, select 예약.
• Only restaurants that accept naver reservations would be shown on the list.
• Step 3: Find a restaurant that you like to book, then follow the steps above.

Catch table  

Catch table is another popular platform among foreigners living in Korea. You go to the app, find a restaurant you like, then pay a deposit to make a reservation. Refunds would depend on when you cancelled the reservation.

• Cancellation at least 2 days before: 100% refunded
• Cancellation 1 day before: 50% refunded
• Same-day cancellation: 0% refunded
• No-show: 0% refunded

Steps on how to make a reservation on Catchtable:

Catchtable website

• Step 1: Go the the catchtable website or application and login using your gmail account. You can also create a new account with them and use that to log in.
• Step 2: Select a location where you would like to go to
• Step 3: Select a restaurant you like.
• Step 4: Check the menu and price.
• Step 5: Select a date, time, number of guests, and seating type.
• Step 6: Select your desired menu.
• Step 7: Click on the Reserve button.
• Step 8: Select your payment method.
• Step 9: Click on the Terms and Conditions.
• Step 10: Click on Pay <amount>