Korean Food Etiquette

We talk about different table manners and things you should know about in a Korean meal setting.
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[@jfkang]

I don't know if this is specific to Korea or Asia in general (or just my super traditional Korean family lol). But in addition: 1. No sitting with the corners of the table pointing towards your body. 2. You can't eat or even lift your silverware (chopsticks) until the oldest person eats his or her first bite. Then you wait in order until it reaches you. 3. Spoon cannot touch the bottom of the soup bowl. 4. (This is a big one) never ever ever lift your rice bowl while you eat. This one is opposite of Japan. Japan you lift your bowl because you shouldnt eat "like a dog". In Korea, you eat with your bowl on the table because you shouldn't eat "like a begger". At least according to my super traditional grandma. 5. No shaking your food. For instance, if your kimchi is really juicy, you can't shake the juice over the kimchi bowl. You must bring it to your bowl, then eat as you please. 6. You must not act hungry and impatient no matter how hungry or hangry you are. This is the way of the "yahngbahn" or noblemen. Do not show your hunger. No banging the table or shouting. Have to stay calm and collected. 7. It is rude for you to pick at a side dish if a superior (boss, grandma, ahjussi, etc) is picking at the same side dish at the same time. 8. Always say "thank you for this food" in Korean before and after eating. 9. Oldest or most superior person eats at the center of the table. Lower (children, or mother--who typically serves the rice) sit towards the ends. 10. You should try out all the side dishes. Don't just eat the one that you like. That is an insult to the cook (grandma, mom, or restaurant) who spent a good amount of time on each side dish. You should show appreciation by at least trying everything at least once. 11. (Biggest one of all!!) Finish every g*ddamn rice speck in your rice bowl! I know this one is the same across all of Asia. I used to get my ass beat for not doing this lmao Eating in my childhood years was so difficult now that I think about it lmao. Of course now I don't eat like this. At least not 100%. Although I still wait for my parents to eat first. Hope this helps whoever is curious and actually read through all of this haha :)

[@jfkang]

And then drinking culture and manners in Korea is a WHOLE other thing.... Sigh lol

[@bellmipuff]

+Joon K. Oh interesting to read! Tell me about the drinking culture in korea. I live in Sweden and we don't really have any hidden "rules". From my experience we have a mindset that if you are not drinking then you are not being social and/or boring. This mentality is something that younger people tend to have. Although I do experience this mentality from all different ages in Sweden.

[@jfkang]

+Isabella Delgado wow I'm surprised someone actually read through this haha! But I should also add that all these manners are VERY traditional. The younger generation do not typically do all of these. And with friends, these rules are virtually non existent and you can do whatever you want. But Koreans actually use the drinking rules a lot. Especially when you go out drinking with your corporate circle, so like your boss or CEO. The drinking rules I can think of (or what I was taught): 1. Youngest person should always serve the older people at the table. 2. Never ever reject someone pouring you a drink. Especially if you are younger. And take the first shot/drink together. 3. Never pour yourself a drink! Drinking is a respectful communal bonding experience so someone else should pour the drink for you (even for the younger person). 4. When serving the drink, the younger person has to put both hands on the bottle or one hand on the other elbow. And by respect, the older person will "command" (a friendly gesture) to pour a drink for you, like "hey, now it's your turn." 5. When accepting the drink, the younger person should put both hands on the glass while accepting the older person pouring. 6. When drinking, the younger person should look away from the table, put both hands on the shot glass and drink looking away. 7. You have to be aware of all the glasses at the table. A drinking glass/shot should never be empty. If an older person's glass/shot is empty, you offer to fill it up and they will return the favor for you. 8. That being said (^7), because your glass should never be empty, it's courtesy to not "one-shot" your drink all the time. If you chug the glass or shot, then somebody needs to constantly refill your glass and that would be very inconsiderate to the other person serving you. Typically, the first round, everyone takes a full shot together, then everyone refills. Then we just sip on it and eat, until someone says "cheers!" or "gunbae!". Then you should all take it together. FUN FACT!: Normal soju bottles serve exactly 7 shots. Because everyone needs to take a shot together, if two people drink, then 7 shots is an odd number. So you have to buy another bottle to make it even. If three people drink, it's still uneven even with two bottles (14 shots) so you have to buy three bottles. This number is chosen specifically because if there are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 people in a group, the number of shots will always be uneven, so you have to keep buying and drinking to have an even number of shots! The blend of culture and marketing... hahaha There are many more rules because the drinking culture in Korea is very verrry big, but these are some of the basic ones. Hope this helps! And I also want to add that it's so cool that you're from Sweden! One of my biggest goals in life is to visit Sweden. I heard it is a beautiful place with an amazing culture and people!

[@SherbertLime]

+Joon K. I must say as much as I want to visit South Korea I am now terrified! I've been watching a lot of youtube videos on how to act and what to say and I do love the culture but it also seems very daunting. So very daunting! But this is good information. I'm glad you wrote it! I read it all. :D

[@jfkang]

SherbertLime Thank you and glad this helped a little. But no need to be scared! These are super traditional customs and some are outdated. It would only be scary if you were to meet a very traditional 80 year-old Korean grandma at a dinner for the first time lmao! But hope you get a chance to visit Korea, preferably with friends and have a great time! I recommend trying all the street foods and desserts:) There are also a big night life in Seoul if you're into that kind of stuff

[@bellosh123]

Sharing food is an middle easthern thing too but only on special occasions or with a certain food or dish. Otherwhise everyone eat their own food from their own plate

[@starlight.genesis]

And you eat with the right hand, correct?

[@bellosh123]

If your muslim u're supposed to eat with the right hand, yes

[@Lynn-Davis]

For gatherings in New England: 0. I'm adding this because I've read differences in the comments: the ends of the table are almost always reserved for the host(s) of a gathering, while the sides are for the guests who can sit anywhere they want unless there is a seating arrangement. 1. Sit down (if religious, now would be a food time for a prayer of thanks for the food) 2. Start passing bowls of food around the table so everyone can scoop what they want on their plate. 3. General complements of the food are appreciated (like, "ooh that smells good") 4. When the food is done being passed people just start eating. It doesn't really matter who is first, there is no hierarchy besides adults vs children, and no one really cares. The only thing that people consciously focus on is to not eat too fast because it's considered awkward to have an empty plate while others still have considerable amounts of food left (some might consider this rude because it feels like you have nothing else to do at the table which makes others feel like you are rushing them/ are impatient for them to finish). 5. more compliments about the food ("this is delicious", "you have to give me the recipe", "mmm") 6. When most or all of the people are finished it is customary to pile the dishes up neatly by the sink (usually it's good to wait for one of the hosts to start the pile so you know where they want them, but it's not required) and then help store the leftovers. 7. thank the host(s) for a lovely meal 8. While it is not rude to offer to do the dishes, I have never seen a host who didn't feel extremely awkward about being asked. A host would consider it their job to do dishes because it's their house, but occasionally (with much prompting) they may relent in order to avoid a scene.

[@zhokae]

Actually, I think it's really common in Asian culture to share a bunch of food with others at the table and have the youngest serve or distribute the utensils. Since I was like 8 or 9(where I could barely see over the table without stacking 2 chairs and sitting on them to see over the table), my parents would make me give out all the cutlery to my relatives during Chinese Reunion Dinner(which was a nightmare knowing that I have around 10 paternal aunts and uncles). I don't know about the drinking cause I'm still underage XD This was really useful though since I'm visiting Korea during mid-year holidays for my dad's function. - internally crying -

[@pipedemon28]

+Clarisse Ang Thank you for sharing.

[@xXxFlowerbombxXx]

As a person who always wants to try everybody's food at the table, Korean food etiquette sounds like a dream! ♥

[@sabinal17]

we do that sharing thing in my family...it's called "broke"

[@reesamaestas6520]

I see that autographed 2NE1 album behind you. Super jelly! :(

[@jessical6633]

Ahhh you guys are so hilarious to watch, and I mean that in the best way possible. I hope to God that I make it out to Korea at some point in my life. I have been studying the language and culture extensively for a few months now and you guys really give great information about what to expect from the korean culture. Definitely gonna follow your videos until I get a chance to go there myself, and hopefully have the pleasure of even meeting you over some soju(: sending my best wishes

[@samydreamer1670]

Same with me! I'm young but it's been my dream for years so... 안 넹하세요 I think I spelled that wrong... 😓

[@KhoiFeesh527]

Some of these etiquette rules are very similar to the Vietnamese culture! I feel like most these apply a lot over to other Asian countries! The youngest always have to do everything and be respectful!

[@rischaChristine]

true that!

[@Josho4096]

Youngest have to be the most respectful in a lot of cultures. And for good reason, typically they are the least educated in the traditions, and life in general. So they must show respect to the elders who have lived through life and learned from experience. Its logical and evident throughout history.

[@Ma5jay5dontxdoxthat]

Josho4096 True you should be respectful because they are your elders but I feel people abuse that system to people who are younger. I had a lot of older people put me down or insult me when I give advice or help out, because I am younger, thus giving me no right to say anything even if I may have more experience than them. I will tolerant you because you're older but I won't respect you because I don't respect rude inconsiderate douche bags.

[@KhoiFeesh527]

Ma5jay5dontxdoxthat Oh my gosh! I totally agree with you! I can say testified to this because my own sister abused this system on me for YEARS!!! I understand that she's a lot older than me and more experienced in life but I told her that it doesn't make her right all the time though!

[@Ma5jay5dontxdoxthat]

***** And the thing is age doesn't always equal more experience. There are a lot of people in their 50's an 60's that don't know shit about life or haven't made anything of themselves, but they think they are above someone who is in there 20's and have their own businesses, or already traveled the world.

[@mikeoleksa]

You are definitely right about the showing interest in their culture thing. As a GI we had KATUSAs assigned to our unit that we would work side by side with. I actually wanted to learn something while I was there about the language and culture and they were ALWAYS willing to teach you more if you were sincere and showed interest in learning.

[@ashleyrobertson72]

if a video isn't labeled labeled as "watched" I take it as a sign to watch it again.....😏

[@Kaliprepper]

This is something I love. Sharing food with friends. One birthday we decided to go to our local korean restaurant a group of us and we all bought something different and it was so much fun! Everyone was eating out of each others plates.

[@marci609]

Simon looks like scientist in this video lol

[@ghmj2607]

Martina and Simon! I'm always so curious and I do want to read your blogs, but the reasons why i'd watch your videos more than actually reading your blogs is because I actually love your chemistry with each other and the enthusiasm that you put in when you guys are talking

[@Jjongshii008]

love Martina's jacket!!

[@Himesua]

This is a GREAT subject! I really enjoy eating with my Korean friends, because we always share. They love to have me try new foods, and see my reactions. This is my one of my favorite things about the Korean culture.

[@melindamercier6811]

Lol! The word is toasting.

[@robg2444]

Tank you! I do not need to say it. And you can toast wit or with out toasting words or speeches!

[@KatsFateAtHand]

Or cheering not cheersing. Lmao.

[@saxyviolist]

My mom, friends, and I always do this at the Korean restaurant - always sharing! We love trying a few different things.

[@mukkaar]

That buffet inception is bit weird :D Buffet is so you can pick and try the stuff you like.

[@aimeet8645]

I live in Michigan and my family and I do this all the time. We go out and we all get something different. We keep our initial plates but we do a lot of reaching with forks into other people's plates or putting a bite or so on someone elses plate. If there's left overs we split them up and take a little bit of everything with us. There should be more "Family style" restaurants out there. I think it's an amazing idea.

[@mandyaspey1965]

This is the first video I've seen her without winged eyeliner. I like both looks! I think the look without the wings is less harsh.

[@ShadowsOverTheCity]

Here in America (in Texas) the people in my school (and grade) are so close that even if you don't know the person, we end up sharing food, and it's really cool if you're eating out with friends and you can't decide what to get, because that way, you can eat more than 1 thing without indecision!

[@gatitalaura]

Interesting, here in the U.S they give give you killing stares if you double dip lol.

[@caseydominick7806]

No they dont

[@rubiikpop]

I can help you answer that question, when Koreans meet and introduce themselves to each other, the first things they ask will be name and AGE. Since Korean language is a hierarchical one (as in you have the formal and informal ways of speaking), whenever you first meet someone, you must know their age to know what manner to speak to them in. In other words, the situation you have mentioned is probably unlikely in a group dinner situation. Hope it helps!

[@ethelt4954]

As somebody who grew up in a multicultural country I'm kinda used to both sharing food and eating food from my own plate so I'm just like oh okay XD

[@RoMayDrako]

Ethel T I am from the midwest of the United States and I am used to both. Actually surprised when I came out to CA how food territorial people are. Speaking of CA sadly cannot eat at Korean restaurants here, have not found one in which welcome non koreans.

[@stepheats]

Wow, who knew Chinese and Korean etiquette are similar. Especially the sharing/family style food thing. Even though I live in Vancouver, the family style eating never goes away

[@EHCBunny4real]

Simon should serve while asking about Martina's dramas. It will keep him from eating all the food.

[@smeva26]

yes that would have been the polite thing to do XD

[@ecsordas]

I know this video is soooo old. But the stuff you guys talk about here reminds me of how I still always serve other people first, especially if we are having wine. I learned this from a Korean guy I dated back in 2010-2012.. But I still think it's a nice gesture. You guys are awesome by the way. I've been watching you since 2011 and it's nice that you're still on. It's nice to follow someone who is my own age.

[@JMO03]

whats interesting is that there are similarities in Korean food etiquette and my cultures food etiquette (Puerto Rican or even general Hispanic).

[@lilflowergrl]

This applies to Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Burmese, and other East Asian countries' culture. Although Japan is famous for lunch items like Bento boxes, rice balls, and noodle soups, if you were to go to a (not super fancy) sushi restaurant, you do order a plate or a roll of sushi and share it with others in your party. Another example is Shabu Shabu, all sharing a hot pot. Sharing drinks is important as well, like taking Sake shots or pouring tea for others in your party.

[@Zashley123]

I know it's obviously 3 1/2 years old, but I would love to see the Japanese version. I wonder if the eldest always goes first and what in Japanese

[@sungkim72]

Simon and Martin, I randomly stumbled upon your vids and I love them!! I am a Korean living in Canada and I am pretty familiar with my K culture but you guys make it easy for me to explain it to other people, because I haven't thought about it as much as you have. More than anything it is great for me to be able to relate and go like"yeah, exactly!". Also, quite funny and entertaining. Great stuff guys, keep em coming. Thank you.

[@channelvision98]

sigh it's like you can't even relax when having a meal so many rules you have to remember. At least where I live the most you have to worry about is yourself and what utensils you are using. lol

[@channelvision98]

***** sorry I'd still prefer to just eat my meal and get on with my day that it having to be an ordeal each and every time.

[@eda5936]

channelvision98 Thing is, it isn't like that. eating together as a family, that would only happen at dinner, if ever at all. I know plenty of families who actually don't end up having time to eat like that except at bigger family gatherings, or when going out with seniors jobwise, at hweshiks.

[@channelvision98]

u don't seem to get that this isn't limited to just family you have to be like this with every other person you eat with. Unless you choose toe at by yourself. Then you'd have to worry about all those rules and regulations during each and every one of those rules. If it's something your use to or don't mind but for me I wouldn't be able to enjoy my meal. So then what's the point. I don't even have time to properly discuss the issue so saving it for another day.

[@Ma5jay5dontxdoxthat]

channelvision98 But there are rules on how to eat in N. America and Europe too. We just don't realize it. Like you can't eat with your mouth open, you can't leave the table without saying so, you don't reach over someone to grab something, you can't slouch over the table, or always tip your server. Most people think its rude and disrespectful not to do that, because it's our custom, and you don't seem to complain about that not letting you enjoy your meal. Same with them they grew up with it(just like us) and it's troubling for them as much as our eating custom don't trouble us.

[@channelvision98]

Ma5jay5dontxdoxthat I was not talking about that. It was about worrying about other people that I was talking about. Like I said the most I have to worry about is myself. Whether I eat with my mouth closed and the stuff you mentioned. I ALREADY said that. For example when they drink, they have to turn away from their elder, if their are elders on all sides, it's a bit of a problem. So not only are their rules to follow you'd really have to worry about other people every time you eat.And quite a large amount of rules about other people as well as yourself. But I'll concede to you since debating the issue was not the point of my comment.

[@kupaux]

I am obsessed with Martina's hair in this video!

[@jyanneskye2535]

sharing food is definitely an Asian custom, not just Korean.

[@deathlyhallows2345]

I'm a Korean kid that lives in the US and I can speak both languages (Korean+English)pretty fluently and know all the cultural things and stuff like you mention in your vids, and it's really interesting/funny when you guys point these things out. I mean, I know these things but never really realized them. ;D

[@Kxxaiii]

this isn't just korean etiquette id say asian etiquette

[@TheScaleSquad]

I love how much Simon and Martina have changed over the years, they're so much more enthusiastic now :3 And I love the new fashion too

[@coolitz]

Wow! I love your jumper/jacket! I love the colours and the design! ^_^ Where did you get it from? ^_^

[@darcyrawlinson9029]

Sorry if this a bit late, but they are from SoSo Happy, I always remember their distinct designs :D

[@the3sweetest3dreamer]

I haven't been to any Korean restaurants but here in Toronto I've been to Somalian and Indian restaurants that do the same food sharing thing. At Somalian restaurants in particular my family will order one big plate of rice (it's huge!) and it will have all the meat and chicken and vegetables piled on top and everyone will eat from there, we won't even have separate plates, everyone shares from one plate because this is the traditional way to do it.

[@200eletide]

I think you guys forgot kind of an important thing? It's important to try and not waste food. Korea is much more lenient about it now, but we used to be a very poor country and valued the little food we had, even a grain of rice, so it's important to not waste a lot of food. And if you ask for more banchan, make sure to eat it all.

[@kristim.4445]

You know, the whole sharing everything is actually a great idea. It makes splitting the bill a lot easier since you can just split everything evenly and

[@RiceNinja16]

how popular are Koran dramas? if it isn't popular what do Korean people usually watch? (is Running Man/variety shows more popular?)

[@DandyPuff]

I have used Simon's method of making someone talk during a meal so I could eat more food. It totally worked! x3

[@rischaChristine]

martinaa! where did u get ur hoodie from? its adorablee >.

[@Melanchoni]

Sosohappy is the company. A quick Google search will find it.

[@rischaChristine]

Thanks for the reply :D

[@animefreak247]

I was having such a horrible day, just watching this just made me feel better. Thanks Martina and Simon! btw I LOVE YOUR JACKET MARTINA x)

[@DisenchantedDeath]

I once went to a sushi restaurant with a bunch of my Korean friends and they did the whole order a bunch and put it in the middle thing. At the time I wasn't big into trying fish because I have a really big dislike for fish taste, so my vegan friend, who is not Korean, like me, and I got a bunch of vegetarian options (by a bunch I mean just enough for the two of us...) so as they were passing around the fish sushi, I got pressured to try some, (which I ended up liking...) but when the night was over one of my friends asked me why I didn't let him try some of mine. I had no idea that he wanted to, as he never said anything at the time... I felt rather bad about it, and now anytime I go out for sushi, even if it's with my non-Korean friends I share anything I order... which they think is weird... -__-;

[@Croquantes]

I actually think it's rude if you go for sushi and people DON'T share. If everyone shares, you get more variety and more deliciousness!

[@ellock1998]

Oh yeah... sushi! If you get sushi you just get a lot and everyone can try a little bit of everything... though we mainly do that because none of us can decide what to eat so we just split it up haha. Although I also have a "bad" habit of I will eat or drink after anyone, as long as you have spit back into it or something, there is a 90% chance I would be perfectly fine drinking or eating after you. Even if you're someone I just met... I get scolded for it a lot.

[@catshangrysince95]

Actually, in Portugal we have this dish called Bife na Pedra (Steak on Stone maybe...) and we have kinda of a heating stone and we put the meat on top and as it cooks we take and eat and it's all about sharing. When I'm eating it with my parents someone allways serves the others and then we eat it's awesome. It's tastes really good. :)

[@kaiyabou]

Ahh Korea. Though I am not allowed to eat pork or drink alcohol I hope they won't like hate me or something because a lot of asian food has pork

[@MrBaver]

Nina24330 true and not true. Seafood is amazing in Korea!

[@kaiyabou]

BΛVER I LOVE SEAFOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@sophiayamagughi]

They won't hate you! No worries. But yeah- just eat the beef and stuff there.

[@jor3511]

Between the joon pyo mention and the g-dragon thumbnail, I luv y'all so much lol

[@twistbarbi3]

isn't it called toasting and not clinking? idk maybe a uk thing

[@annemoon85]

its not just a UK thing, it's in the US too. at least where I'm from it is. They just couldn't remember the word.

[@kmienfoli]

that's amazing how your style changed since your first video, it feels like you discovered your crazy funky fashion style in Korea :) I love it !

[@TheMechanicalGirl999]

I cannot drink due to my epilepsy (seizures) which are controlled by meds. I was wondering do you know anyone with this issue, how to translate it and/or how concerned with such things (not necessarily epilepsy/seizures) but in general like allergies and so forth. I have an extremely mild allergy to shellfish which typically just results in a rash and a slightly more intense nut allergy like dependent on the nut it can range from little to no reaction (typically with peanuts I get just a mild rash/rare throat closing up but my inhaler nips that but if it is something "stronger" I guess is the word in-terms of taste or whatever like almonds, hazel nuts, walnuts, etc. AKA like Nutella for instance would instantly make my throat close up to the point where after a only a tiny taste I would start hyperventilating to the point where if I did NOT get my inhailer within 2-3 minutes I might pass out which luckily has yet to happen as I avoid them!!!)?

[@mckenziejeffreys3416]

I have JME and I have been wondering the Same thing. I watched their tldr on mental health but it didn't really answer my question Because I am on medicine for it. I wouldn't want it to ruin my experience there or Make me a 왕따. ㅎㅎ

[@Debawcherryinc]

Love this one!! I have an onion allergy and it's bad!! Onions are in everything and my allergy is like yours. I will stop breathing and die...everytime someone eats delicious onion slathered food I just drool and live vicariously through them!

[@sisiminton1240]

TheMechanicalGirl999 So I'm leaving for Korea soon, and I have a severe allergy to citrus fruits, lemons, oranges, etc., (like my throat closes up and I can't breathe and get softball sized welts on my body) and I asked my tutor about this. He lives in Korea and he said that telling someone if you had a medical problem, an allergy, or use something that prevents you from drinking, it isn't disrespectful to tell them so regardless of if they're your superior or not. Nobody wants you to consume something that will potentially harm you, mild or not! Thank them politely and tell them that you have a condition that prevents the consumption of x, y, and z.

[@sisiminton1240]

***** Do I know you?

[@sisiminton1240]

Sisi-ssi. Ssi [shee] means mister or miss/ms/mrs. respectively. It isn't gender specific.

[@frillyfurryface]

i saw the running man cast do that in one episode! like the younger members like hyori and daesung helped take huge plates of food for suk jin and jaesuk at a buffet. but i always thought that was another korean etiquette to show respect for your elders, rather than wanting to create a mini buffet at your own table.

[@kattgirl1321]

lol me, my dad and my little sister once went to a korean restraunt over here in america and the meals were absolutly HUGE! What I got was stir fry pork and it was just piled up on top of my plate and it looked bigger than me lol (since i was like 14 and only weighed like 94 pounds) But i ate the whole thing (with chop sticks) and was still hungry after that lol. Now i know why it was so big, but i dont think i would ever make it in korea cause i would starve to death lol

[@jyjpyara]

ahhh now i finally understand the whole mini buffet thing...i saw on Running Man that wen they ate at a buffet, the younger members piled the same type of food onto one plate and brought it to the table where the older members were. They kept goin back until they like took every single kind of food and until their table was full and then they ate. I thought it was strange but didn't question it, now i get it. Thank you! :)

[@bs4e]

sharing food like that is everywhere in asia...not sure about europe...

[@Fynlanis]

I life in europe and we usually don't share our foods like asians do it. If it is with your family you can ask them if you can try some of their food but you usually don't share your food with somebody who isn't a person from your family, except really really good friends but I personally don't think it would be disgusting or something like that...of course I can only speak for myself and not for other europeans but I haven't seen it in the european countrys that I have been to (germany, france , italy and swizerland) (I'm sorry if I made any mistakes in my comment, english isn't my first language after all...)

[@bs4e]

thank you for the reply :)

[@Fynlanis]

no problem^^

[@VeronicaIPS]

i live in europe and i was surprised that they mentioned that you have to drink something to sheer with everyone even if you don't drink, or that you should serve other peoples food first, because that's a given here and i just assumed it would be the same in the united states or canada because generally the cultures aren't very very different when it comes to manners. also, yeah we don't usually share our food unless it's with family or a partner.

[@bs4e]

oh. yeah in canada it's not really apart of the culture to share food, but we are very multicultural in my city so there are a lot of restaurants where the culture is known to share food.

[@LianLikesTrees]

I'm half Filipino and my grandparents always slurp their soup and stuff. It shows you're enjoying the food. :-D I always do it at home and in asian resturants.

[@ItAcHiSScHaTzIx3]

i have a quick question! :D i am a person who can only trink water without the 'bubbles' (i'm sorry, i'm german so i don't know the exactly name. i hope you still understand what i mean). sooo... is water with bubbles (like soda, cola, ect) very popular in korea and is it alright to drink water without bubbles there? because i noticed that in germany and poland it is very veeery popular to drink bubble-water and it is always very strange to drink non-bubble-water :(

[@HelloMyNamelsBanana]

It's very rare to see perrier or "sparkling water" in Korea, especially in restaurants. I do have a friend who studied abroad in Germany and got accustomed to sparkling water. LMAO. I think there are places where you can actually buy Perrier or sparkling water online or even in department stores. You would have to go out of your way.

[@riftecstasy5035]

Water without bubbles is the same in English and German, "still" :)

[@TheShadowWolf95]

Haben sie Mineralwasser, ja? (Tut mir leid, mein Deutsch ist nicht so gut...) Ich habe in Amerika Mineralwasser nicht. Ich glaube in Korea auch haben Mineralwasser nicht. Tut mir leid für meine Grammatik.

[@lexxx177]

***** seit wann ist es denn "strange" in Deutschland stilles Wasser zu trinken?

[@Hyattiee]

***** I only like still water too.

[@whatchahowsya8688]

the buffet thing happened to me when I was in Thailand! i felt bad just grabbing for me so I went ahead and let my Thai friends grab everything and I'd just shared with them.

[@joycedichoso6720]

Gu jun pyo! ^.^

[@HenryYoon-x4m]

Wish I could ask a question too... I live in Korea (lived here for 4 years) and I'm a 14 year old student. Even though I can't ask a question (pretty much because I know all of this already), I love Simon and Martina!!!

[@GalacticLion77]

Toasting

[@Hollbyhand]

Simon and Martina are so good at these videos

[@loren9636]

Only clicked bc of G-Dragon

[@you21kitty]

Ikr

[@pokopoko9537]

Same here I thought they were gonna talk about g dragon eating or something.

[@MimiG2414]

Same

[@netowner666]

Me too I'm in too deep

[@omgphud]

She tweeted the Dream Girl KMM. And I remember from an older bonus video (I think) where Simon and Martina were backstage at a music event, there was a shot with Martina talking to Amber, and I believe it was in their blog where they mentioned that they talked to Amber about the Pinocchio KMM.

[@kaam..]

Gu Joon Pyo #boysoverflowers

[@Jayd3e101]

i need more tl;dr's. it is literally the highlight of my week when it pops up on my main channel. :'(

[@DivineWisdom28]

North America/Canada? lol Isn't Canada the biggest country in North America.

[@SoManyGiraffes]

Maybe you should look up a map, buddy.

[@AifosViruset]

SoManyGiraffes Why? Canada IS ranked as the biggest country in North America. It's the second biggest country in the whole world, only smaller than Russia. If you only count the land area and not the waters the USA pass by Canada narrowly, but looking at a map won't help you knowing that because Canada is usually obscenely enlarged by the polar distortion. Don't trust maps, look at globes instead. Africa is 14 times the size of Greenland but they look roughly the same size on google maps.

[@igraceface1]

I basically would love to hear Martina talk about her fav kdramas!!

[@FearlesPK]

"I went on top of him" god, this is just wrong Simon... :)

[@stereoheart1123]

that salad bar/buffet thing you were talking about, how you bring a few plates to the table for everyone to share, we actually have that in the u.s. my family would always go to this dim sum place, and there would be people with carts, bringing around food. you would ask for whatever you wanted from that waiter's cart, and then put it in the center of the table for everyone to share.

[@azanandwaffles]

BLOCK B I SEE

[@djdz0]

Have you ever been on a road trip in Korea? What are the rest stops, hotels, and odd venues/tourist traps to stop in, like? My family and I take road trips every year, some lasting 12 or more hours to get to a destination (usually visiting family in another state) and fun things happen along the way.

[@Tylendel_]

Oh god in England u just sit down and eat, no wonder Asians are so skinny lol

[@SamanthaXu23]

Are you kidding me, I'm fat af

[@elijah8523]

LMFAO

[@Sapphirehoneydrops]

well i'm australian and it's just polite to refill other ppl's cups around you when refilling your own. Also sometimes its easier to help refill the person's cup rather than passing a huge and heavy pitcher across the table.

[@EatyourkimchiBonus]

We each had our own bowls in that video! Maybe they were covered by the big bowl in the middle?

[@eda5936]

i think they have some videos on this, but thats pretty much right. except it's not so much that the school hours are that long, but the fact that there's school, then after school/cram school/clubs/study time etc... my cousins a high school senior in korea, she usually comes home around 1:00 AM

[@iLUVphelps]

I think a major factor is the school you go to in your own country. I got pretty lucky because my school has an actual Korean department, so it's really easy for our students to take a semester or year over there. If your university doesn't have a study abroad relationship with a school in Korea already, they might have a connection with another college in your country that does. Generally I've heard it's pretty easy for foreigners to get accepted though. Hope that helps :)

[@Echaede]

I witnessed the mini-buffet thing while I was in China recently. We were at a buffet in a 5 star hotel and I saw some Chinese people take like 8 plates and bring it back to their table.. Where they shared it. It was an interesting contrast to all of us Americans there who were busy overloading our personal plate.

[@1kaaa]

I recall one of the first (horrible 360p quality) videos you guys made before KPop related videos. >

[@destined2bebossy]

When I saw the title that (the old video) was the first thing that came to my mind. Wow i've been watching you guys for a long time lol

[@Kilala232323]

I just want to say I must have been korean in a past life because when you guys were talking about the buffets in korea it really hit home for me, I am from texas and me and my friends always do that. We even pick off each others plates and we might take a bite of something and another person will eat off the same piece, gross to some but totally normal for my circle of friends. Lol in highschool we used to share one piece of gum by breaking it into individual pieces (cuzz we were broke) so the whole food sharing thing is for me not so strange.

[@VintageChristianDior]

Actually the serving the elderly or higher position or more experience people is pretty common in most Asian cultures. I, an Asian (specifically Mongolian), have many Asian friends and whenever they invite me to their homes, I always notice that they will serve their parents or the guest first and will try to sere themselves last. It's something that I've always grown with and I thought everybody served the children and the elderly first.

[@OoMASEoO]

being considerate of others is a very important quality for me and I don't find many people with it... Maybe I should move to Korea...

[@HanazawaEternalIce]

the food sharing thing i just do that because i think its sensible, and i look away when i drink because i think its weird when people see me drinking because my lip goes weird (long sentence lol hope it made sense) , and i always serve others before myself. this is what my parents taught me. im not korean but this was very helpful!!! thank you!

[@elephantasmic]

And thats why the slash is there. A slash can be used when the two words are similar, not just when they are the same.

[@Alcarohtare]

some other tips for Korea meals (esp. school lunches) First, learn to eat large amounts of food (esp. rice) quickly. Back in US, this would be considered rushing and would be a bit rude, but here it is the norm and if you don't eat that fast you will be the last one in the cafeteria. Second, learn to eat you meal without a drink. Koreans don't drink as much with their meals and cups are really tiny. In a cafeteria you usually have your meal, clear you tray, and then grab a quick sip of water.

[@NiurTarow]

Some friends and I went to a Korean church for a homework assignment. (They were going to seminary and were required to go to different services and take notes.) We were asked if we wanted to have lunch with the church members and were given a spot at the pastor's table. It was really cool to be able to practice Korean-style eating with food-sharing. The pastor's wife complimented us on our chopstick skills. We had to admit that were were embarrassing Kpop/Asian fans, and she laughed.

[@xcathyxlikexwowx]

I can't wait to go back to Korea. I've been there twice, once when I was a baby and another time in 8th grade.

[@lone6718]

Not so much with strangers or co workers. And usually you dish food onto a separate plate with a utensil intended to be used each specific plate. People rarely use utensils they have eaten off of to serve themselves from the serving dishes, that would be considered rude, unless you are eating with immediate family only. Though not all families are the same. Just what my family does. :)

[@sakuraMBLAQfinite]

This is interesting, I've observed this a lot by watching variety shows and dramas but it was really nice when you pointed them out. Especially the buffet thing I saw that in one ep of running man..I actually learned a few more so thanks :)

[@thetsuayechan6148]

That supporting your hand with your other hand gesture and giving things with two hands to your elders or superiors is the cultural norm in Myanmar too.

[@mechacuddly]

In general, intimate gestures such as hugging/kissing are only done with close friends/relatives. Never as greetings. Greetings are usually formal unless you're really close (therefore skipping the whole thing altogether/having intimate gesture). It's the typical 'hello' shake hands kind of thing. Although I should say a disclaimer since this is just from a general Asian perspective. It shouldn't be far off though.

[@mimzymarin8159]

The brand is called So So Happy (: You can buy their products online or I think Hot Topic has them too

[@mechacuddly]

most of Korean etiquette (except for some) are similar to Asian etiquette (no surprise) so most of it is repetitive for me but I still watch it. I think it's interesting to hear from a different perspective, like S&M who are from Canada.

[@kristim.4445]

*and not have to worry about it. Wish people did things like that more often in the states.

[@yohabloespanol1]

It means Too Long; Didn't Read. I think it refers to the long posts people have to type so that they get their full point across in their question. And Simon and Martina tend to paraphrase these posts when they read them out loud (didn't read them fully) at the beginning of a video. Someone asked this question earlier and so I finally learned what it means. I wish they had addressed this in their first TL;DR. They normally do when they create a new thing.

[@LibraAlfa]

It's a hoodie from "So so happy"!!!Just Google "so so happy hoodies" and you will find their online store!!!A fan from US sent it to Martina, they made a video when they opened fan mail and I saw when she got it!!!

[@lp4tiempo]

Ah the sharing thing. The first time I went out for Korean, I was incredibly shocked at the amount of food that gave my mom and me, and neither of us could finish it. The second time, we took both of my siblings, and the amount of food made more sense because we were supposed to share it. Waah.