If you're visiting or living in Korea, one of the first small “culture shocks” you might experience is breakfast.
Outside of hotel buffets, it can be confusing to figure out what to eat and where to find it.
So today, I'm going to walk you through how to enjoy breakfast in Korea—in the easiest and friendliest way possible!
Oh, and don’t forget to use KakaoMap or Naver Map to find places. They show super accurate directions and walking times!
🍚 1. Korean-Style Breakfast – A Warm Home-Cooked Feel
Traditional Korean breakfasts usually include rice, soup, and side dishes.
For example, a bowl of soybean paste soup, some kimchi, steamed eggs, and a scoop of white rice.
Some hotels or traditional hanok guesthouses serve this kind of meal in the morning.
📍Where to find it:
- Korean buffet spots (self-serve, budget-friendly)
- Local “baekban” restaurants (many open from 7 AM)
- Market restaurants (try hot tofu stew or hangover soup—so comforting!)
🥪 2. Grab & Go from a Convenience Store
Korean convenience stores are breakfast treasure troves!
You'll find triangle kimbap, cup rice, sandwiches, yogurt, fruit cups, and more—all ready in under 5 minutes.
Look for 7-Eleven, GS25, or CU—they’re open 24/7 and can be found on almost every street corner.
💡 Bonus: You can recharge your transportation card (T-money) at the counter too, making this a great stop before sightseeing or work.
☕ 3. Café-Style Breakfast – A Favorite for Foreigners
If Korean food feels a bit too unfamiliar in the morning, cafes are a great alternative.
Places like Starbucks, Ediya, and Twosome Place offer sandwiches, bagels, muffins, and coffee. Most cafes open around 7–8 AM.
Brunch cafés are also becoming more popular, so if you want a slower, more relaxed breakfast, they're perfect!
📲 Most cafes offer English menus, free Wi-Fi, and plenty of power outlets, which makes them ideal for digital nomads too.
🧑🍳 4. Make Your Own Breakfast – Use the Kitchen in Your Stay
If you're staying at an Airbnb or a guesthouse with a kitchen, you can make your own simple breakfast.
You’ll find ingredients like bread, milk, eggs, and fruit at big supermarkets like E-Mart, Homeplus, or Lotte Mart, or even in small local shops.
🥣 A combo like cereal + milk, toast + jam, or boiled eggs works anywhere—and never fails.
You can also buy meal kits at major grocery stores if you want something warm and easy to cook.
📝 Final Tips
- In Korea, most restaurants don’t open before 7 AM, usually open at around 11 AM. So convenience stores and cafés are your best bet early in the morning.
- Exploring your local traditional market can be a fun cultural experience too—many of them open before sunrise!
- Unlike some countries with big breakfast cultures, Korea doesn’t have many dedicated breakfast diners, so don’t be surprised.
- But don’t worry—you can still enjoy a great breakfast whether it’s from a store, café, or your own kitchen.
Make sure you don’t skip breakfast—it’s the best way to enjoy your lovely time in Korea with energy and a full heart! 💛
If you have any questions, drop a comment.
As your local friend, I’d love to share real-life tips and help you out 😊
