Quick Summary: Korea’s food delivery system is the world’s most advanced, with Baemin, Coupang Eats, and Yogiyo leading the market in 2025. This comprehensive Korean food delivery app guide walks foreigners through everything from signing up to placing orders, making it easy to enjoy Korea’s incredible delivery culture.
1. Why Korean Food Delivery Apps Are Special
Korea’s food delivery system in 2025 boasts the world’s most advanced infrastructure. Average delivery time is under 30 minutes—faster than most pizza chains in the US—and you can get food delivered to Han River parks or even hiking trails, which amazes most foreigners. Korea’s food delivery market reached 26 trillion won ($19.5 billion) in 2024, a 12% increase from the previous year.
What makes Korean delivery culture exceptional:
1. Lightning-fast delivery – Average 25-35 minutes, some areas under 15 minutes (compared to 45-60 minutes typical in Western cities)
2. Extensive delivery range – Apartments, offices, Han River parks, and even mountain trails get coverage
3. Massive restaurant selection – Over 50,000 restaurants across Korean, Chinese, Western, and Japanese cuisines
4. Real-time GPS tracking – Watch your delivery driver’s exact location like tracking an Uber
5. Contactless delivery options – Doorstep drop-off, lobby pickup, and various receiving methods
According to Statistics Korea, the average Korean ordered food delivery 8.3 times per month in 2024—nearly double the 4.2 times in 2020. In Seoul and the metropolitan area, 35% of restaurants offer 24-hour delivery, making late-night cravings easily satisfied.
2. 2025 Korean Food Delivery App Comparison: Baemin vs Coupang Eats vs Yogiyo
Three major players dominate Korea’s 2025 delivery market: Baemin (Woowa Brothers), Coupang Eats (Coupang), and Yogiyo (Delivery Hero Korea). Each app offers unique advantages, allowing you to choose based on your specific needs.
Detailed App Comparison Table
| Feature | Baemin | Coupang Eats | Yogiyo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market Share | 55% (#1) | 28% (#2) | 17% (#3) |
| Delivery Fee | Varies (~$2.25) | Some free delivery | Varies (~$1.90) |
| Min. Order | $9-11 | $6-9 | $9-11 |
| English Support | Limited | Limited | Limited |
| Payment | Card, cash, e-wallet | Card, Coupang Pay | Card, e-wallet |
| Membership | $4.40/month | $5.90/month | $4.40/month |
Key Features of Each App
Baemin (배달의민족):
1. Largest restaurant network – Over 300,000 restaurants, by far the most choices
2. Intuitive interface – Most familiar design for Korean users, easy to navigate
3. Frequent promotions – Weekly discount coupons and special events
4. B-Mart service – Grocery and household items delivery beyond just food
Coupang Eats (쿠팡이츠):
1. Fastest delivery – Own delivery fleet averages 25 minutes (similar to DoorDash’s DashPass speed)
2. Free delivery options – Coupang Eats One members get free delivery over certain amounts
3. Coupang integration – Works seamlessly with Coupang’s Amazon-like rocket delivery
4. Clean interface – Minimalist design streamlines the ordering process
Yogiyo (요기요):
1. Competitive pricing – Generally lower delivery fees than competitors
2. Advanced filters – Search by food type, price range, delivery time, and more
3. Robust review system – Detailed user reviews and ratings help decision-making
4. Strong franchise presence – Many popular brand restaurants listed
3. How to Use Korean Food Delivery Apps as a Foreigner
Most Korean food delivery apps are primarily in Korean, which can initially challenge foreigners. However, following these step-by-step instructions makes ordering straightforward for anyone.
Step 1: Download and Sign Up
1. Search Google Play Store or App Store for “Baemin,” “Coupang Eats,” or “Yogiyo” and download
2. Sign up with phone number – Korean phone number required (verification via Alien Registration Card or passport)
3. Register address – Use current location or manual entry (road address recommended)
4. Add payment method – Credit card, debit card, or e-wallet (KakaoPay, Naver Pay, etc.)
Step 2: Address Input Tips
Korea uses two address systems: road name addresses and land lot numbers. Delivery apps recommend road name addresses for accuracy.
1. Road name address example: Seoul Gangnam-gu Teheran-ro 123 (Building Name) 4F
2. Land lot address example: Seoul Gangnam-gu Yeoksam-dong 123-45
3. Detailed address – Include apartment/unit number, building entry instructions, door codes
4. GPS auto-detection – Use automatic location finding feature for convenience
Step 3: Placing Your Food Order
1. Choose category – Korean food, Chinese, Western, Japanese, chicken, pizza, etc.
2. Select restaurant – Check reviews, ratings, delivery time, and minimum order amount
3. Pick menu items – Reference photos and descriptions, use translation app if needed
4. Select options – Adjust spice level, add toppings, change portions
5. Add special requests – “Please leave at door” and other specific instructions
6. Complete payment – Confirm estimated delivery time
Useful Korean Phrases
1. “문 앞에 놓아주세요” (mun ape noa juseyo) – Please leave it at the door
2. “벨 누르지 마세요” (bel nureuji maseyo) – Please don’t ring the bell
3. “일회용 수저 주세요” (ilhoeyong sujeo juseyo) – Please include disposable utensils
4. “덜 맵게 해주세요” (deol maepge haejuseyo) – Please make it less spicy
5. “많이 주세요” (mani juseyo) – Please give me extra portions
4. 2025 Korean Food Delivery Trends
Korea’s 2025 delivery market centers on healthy food, premium menus, and late-night eating culture. Particularly among MZ generation consumers (Millennials and Gen Z), new delivery patterns are emerging.
2025 Top 5 Delivery Foods
1. Chicken – 1 billion chickens consumed annually, undisputed #1 delivery food (23% market share, comparable to pizza’s dominance in the US)
2. Pizza – Family orders increasing, weekend evening favorite (18% market share)
3. Chinese food (Jajangmyeon, Jjamppong) – Original delivery food, lunch hour champion (15% market share)
4. Jokbal/Bossam (braised pig’s feet/pork wraps) – Replacing company dinners, solo drinking culture rising (12% market share)
5. Donkatsu/Japanese food – Growing demand from single-person households (10% market share)
Han River Delivery Culture
Seoul’s Han River parks have become delivery food meccas in 2025. Yeouido, Ttukseom, and Banpo Han River Parks see the highest delivery orders.
1. Top Han River delivery: Chicken (35% of all orders, similar to beach town pizza orders in California)
2. Second place: Jokbal/Bossam (22% of orders)
3. Third place: Pizza (18% of orders)
4. Delivery hours: 11 AM – 2 AM (varies by park location)
5. Important note: Precise location description essential, phone communication may be needed
Healthy Delivery Trend
Health-conscious consumers drive surging demand for salad, poke bowls, protein lunch boxes, and other nutritious delivery options.
1. Salad specialty restaurants – 45% growth from 2024
2. Low-sugar lunch boxes – Targeting diabetics and dieters
3. Vegan menus – Expanding options as plant-based population grows
4. Protein menus – Rising demand from fitness trainers and athletes
5. Essential Tips and Warnings for Food Delivery Orders
Common issues foreigners face when first using delivery apps and their solutions are compiled here. Understanding these tips ensures smoother delivery service use.
Payment Precautions
1. Credit card registration – Some foreign cards won’t work; Korean-issued cards recommended
2. Cash payment – Only some restaurants accept; confirm beforehand
3. Coupon usage – Check first-order discounts and day-of-week promotions
4. Additional delivery fees – May vary by weather, time, and distance
Delivery Time Considerations
1. Peak hours – Lunch (12-1 PM) and dinner (6-8 PM) may see delays
2. Bad weather – Rain or snow adds 30+ minutes to delivery time
3. Holidays/weekends – Many restaurants closed during Lunar New Year, Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving)
4. Late-night delivery – Only some restaurants operate 24/7; confirm availability first
Address Input Pro Tips
1. Detailed address accuracy – Include building number, floor, unit number precisely
2. Entry instructions – Note main door codes, security desk call methods
3. Use landmarks – “Next to XX convenience store,” “In front of XX subway station exit 3”
4. Verify phone number – Must register reachable contact number
Reviews and Problem Resolution
1. Writing reviews – Praise good service, describe problems objectively
2. Refund requests – Contact in-app customer service for food issues
3. Delivery accidents – Secure photo evidence, report immediately
4. Driver communication – Use chat function, maintain friendly attitude
6. Eco-Friendly Delivery Culture and Sustainability
As Korea’s delivery culture advances, increased disposable item usage and environmental concerns have emerged. As of 2024, Korea uses an average of 18 million delivery containers daily, with only 35% recycling rate.
Eco-Friendly Delivery Policies
1. Reusable container pilot program – Seoul City leads project in 5 districts including Gangnam and Mapo as of 2025
2. Disposable utensil opt-in system – Automatic utensil provision banned since 2024; choose only if needed
3. Eco-friendly packaging – Increasing restaurants using biodegradable plastic and paper containers
4. Electric motorcycles – Delivery driver electric motorcycle usage expanding (15% as of 2025, similar to early EV adoption rates in California)
Consumer Actions You Can Take
1. Refuse disposables – Select “no disposable utensils needed” when ordering
2. Separate packaging – Wash and recycle containers properly
3. Use reusable container service – Actively participate in available areas
4. Restaurant pickup – Choose in-person takeout over delivery to reduce carbon emissions
7. Korean Food Delivery App FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, absolutely. You only need a Korean phone number and payment method (Korean credit or debit card) to sign up and start ordering immediately. However, most apps are in Korean, so using a translation app like Papago or Google Translate alongside is recommended for easier navigation.
Each app has pros and cons depending on your needs. Baemin has the most restaurant options, Coupang Eats delivers fastest with many free delivery deals, and Yogiyo offers lower delivery fees. Installing all three apps and comparing for each order is recommended to get the best deal and selection.
Yes, it works! Most Han River park areas in Seoul allow delivery. However, you must provide precise location details (which park, near which gate number), and phone communication with the driver may be necessary. During peak hours, delivery can be delayed, so order with extra time.
Report immediately through the app’s customer service or chat function. Taking photos of the food helps speed up refunds or redelivery. Most cases result in full refunds or redelivery, and Baemin and Coupang Eats have strong customer protection policies for peace of mind.
Delivery fees vary by restaurant and distance but average $1.50-3.00 USD. Longer distances or bad weather may add surcharges. Membership subscriptions offer free delivery benefits, and promotional periods feature discounted delivery fees worth watching for.
As of 2025, no fully English-supported delivery apps exist. Baemin shows some menus in English, but most content remains Korean. Using translation apps like Google Translate or Papago makes ordering much easier. Additionally, ordering based on menu photos helps overcome language barriers effectively.
Not necessarily. You can use Korean-issued credit or debit cards, which don’t require a bank account. Some restaurants accept cash payment, though options are limited. International cards often don’t work, so getting a Korean card is recommended for smooth ordering.
8. Related Reading
1. Reborn Rich Miyeokguk Recipe – Birthday Seaweed Soup from K-Drama
2. Squid Game Dalgona Recipe: Foolproof Guide + Global Challenge Tips
3. Hotel Del Luna Korean Table Setting Recipe – Traditional Meets Fusion K-Food
4. Crash Landing on You Kimchi Stew Recipe – North Korean Style from 190-Country Hit Drama
5. Why Do Koreans Eat Everything at Once? 7 Philosophy Behind Banchan Culture
9. References
This guide was compiled from authoritative sources including:
1. Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) – “2024 Food Service Industry Trend Report” https://www.atfis.or.kr
2. Statistics Korea – “2024 Online Shopping Trends” https://kostat.go.kr
3. Baemin Official Blog – “2025 Delivery Trend Report” https://m.blog.naver.com/smartbaedal/223870283033
4. Ministry of Environment Korea – “Disposable Item Reduction Policy Status (2025)” https://me.go.kr
5. Seoul Metropolitan Government – “Reusable Container Delivery Pilot Project Report” https://www.seoul.go.kr
10. Helpful Video and Social Media Resources
Official channels and content to better understand Korean food delivery app usage:
1. Baemin Official YouTube – Latest promotions, ads, and tutorial videos
2. Baemin Official Instagram – Daily content and event information
3. Coupang Eats Official YouTube – Usage guides and promotions
4. Coupang Eats Official Instagram – New menu and discount event news
5. Seoul Tourism Organization – Food Delivery at Han River – Introduction to Han River delivery culture
6. Korean Englishman YouTube – Foreigners experiencing Korean food delivery
Last Updated: November 6, 2025 | Author: WisefulLife Editorial Team