GITNUXREPORT 2026

Korea Restaurant Industry Statistics

South Korea's restaurant industry rebounded strongly in 2023, fueled by full-service dining and delivery growth.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

45% of South Koreans eat out at least 5 times a week, spending average 25,000 KRW per meal in 2023.

Statistic 2

Delivery app usage for restaurant orders hit 68% among urban consumers aged 20-39 in 2023.

Statistic 3

Average monthly dining out expenditure per household was 180,000 KRW in 2023.

Statistic 4

72% of consumers prefer Korean BBQ when dining out, based on 2023 surveys.

Statistic 5

Vegetarian meal orders increased by 28% year-over-year via delivery platforms in 2023.

Statistic 6

Solo diners accounted for 35% of restaurant visits in Seoul in 2023.

Statistic 7

55% of millennials choose restaurants based on social media reviews in 2023.

Statistic 8

Average wait time tolerance for popular restaurants is 20 minutes among 60% of customers.

Statistic 9

Health-conscious eating drove 40% of menu choices toward low-calorie options in 2023.

Statistic 10

Weekend dining out frequency rose to 2.8 times per person monthly in 2023.

Statistic 11

62% of consumers use loyalty apps for discounts, saving average 15% on bills.

Statistic 12

Female consumers spend 12% more on cafe visits than males, averaging 8,000 KRW per visit.

Statistic 13

Group dining (4+ people) represents 48% of total restaurant revenue in evenings.

Statistic 14

78% prefer contactless payments, with average transaction 22,000 KRW.

Statistic 15

Alcohol-paired meals see 25% higher spending per capita at 35,000 KRW.

Statistic 16

Seasonal menu preferences shift 30% toward hot pots in winter months.

Statistic 17

Tourists contribute 15% of foreign cuisine demand, spending 50,000 KRW average.

Statistic 18

App-based reservations grew 40% to 55% adoption rate in 2023.

Statistic 19

Sustainable packaging influences 52% of repeat visits to restaurants.

Statistic 20

Fast casual segment sees 3.2 visits per month per consumer.

Statistic 21

The restaurant industry employs 2.8 million workers in South Korea as of 2023.

Statistic 22

Average monthly wage for restaurant workers is 2.8 million KRW in 2023.

Statistic 23

58% of employees are part-time, totaling 1.62 million workers.

Statistic 24

Female workers comprise 52% of the restaurant workforce in 2023.

Statistic 25

Youth employment (20-29) accounts for 35% or 980,000 jobs.

Statistic 26

Turnover rate in restaurants averages 45% annually in 2023.

Statistic 27

Chefs and cooks number 850,000, with 12% certification rate.

Statistic 28

Servers and waitstaff total 1.1 million employees.

Statistic 29

Foreign workers in restaurants reached 120,000 in 2023, mostly Vietnamese.

Statistic 30

Training programs certified 45,000 new workers in hospitality in 2023.

Statistic 31

Average working hours per week are 48 for full-time staff.

Statistic 32

Labor shortage affects 67% of small restaurants in 2023.

Statistic 33

Union membership in foodservice is 8%, covering 224,000 workers.

Statistic 34

Managerial positions held by women: 22% in 2023.

Statistic 35

Overtime compensation compliance rate is 72% in urban areas.

Statistic 36

Age 50+ workers make up 18% or 504,000 in industry.

Statistic 37

Delivery riders employed by platforms: 250,000 full-time equivalents.

Statistic 38

Skill certification exams passed by 28,000 cooks in 2023.

Statistic 39

Injury rate per 1,000 workers is 12.5 in kitchens.

Statistic 40

Benefits coverage: 65% of workers receive health insurance.

Statistic 41

In 2023, South Korea's restaurant industry generated total revenue of 248.5 trillion KRW, reflecting a 5.2% year-over-year growth driven by post-pandemic recovery.

Statistic 42

The market size of the Korean foodservice sector reached approximately USD 170 billion in 2022, with projections to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% until 2027.

Statistic 43

Full-service restaurants accounted for 62% of total industry revenue in South Korea as of 2023, totaling 154 trillion KRW.

Statistic 44

Quick-service restaurants (QSR) in Korea saw revenue of 45.2 trillion KRW in 2023, up 7.8% from the previous year.

Statistic 45

The Korean barbecue restaurant segment generated 32.1 trillion KRW in 2022, representing 13% of the overall market.

Statistic 46

Total number of restaurants in South Korea stood at 620,000 in 2023, a 2.3% increase from 2022.

Statistic 47

Average annual revenue per restaurant in Korea was 400 million KRW in 2023.

Statistic 48

The delivery segment of Korean restaurants contributed 28% of total revenue, equating to 69.6 trillion KRW in 2023.

Statistic 49

Street food vendors added 15 trillion KRW to the industry total in 2022.

Statistic 50

Hotel restaurant revenues in Korea hit 12.4 trillion KRW in 2023, recovering 95% from pre-COVID levels.

Statistic 51

Franchise restaurants made up 45% of the market with 111.3 trillion KRW in sales in 2023.

Statistic 52

Independent restaurants generated 137.2 trillion KRW, or 55% of total industry revenue in 2023.

Statistic 53

The vegan restaurant subsector grew by 15% to 2.8 trillion KRW in revenue in 2023.

Statistic 54

Cafes and dessert shops contributed 35 trillion KRW to the foodservice market in 2022.

Statistic 55

Fine dining establishments in Seoul alone generated 8.5 trillion KRW in 2023.

Statistic 56

Pubs and bars saw 18.7 trillion KRW in revenue, boosted by tourism recovery.

Statistic 57

Buffet restaurants' revenue reached 9.2 trillion KRW in 2023, up 12% YoY.

Statistic 58

Food trucks numbered 12,000 and generated 1.8 trillion KRW in 2023.

Statistic 59

Corporate cafeteria revenues totaled 22 trillion KRW across Korea in 2022.

Statistic 60

The overall foodservice market CAGR from 2018-2023 was 3.5%, reaching 248 trillion KRW.

Statistic 61

Seoul restaurants employ 1.2 million, 43% of national total.

Statistic 62

Busan foodservice outlets: 45,000, generating 18 trillion KRW.

Statistic 63

Franchise concentration highest in Gangnam, Seoul at 60% market share.

Statistic 64

Jeju Island tourist restaurants: 8,200, seasonal revenue 4.5 trillion KRW.

Statistic 65

Incheon outlets near airport: 3,500, 20% foreign-owned.

Statistic 66

Daegu BBQ restaurants dominate with 12% national share.

Statistic 67

Gyeonggi province hosts 150,000 eateries, largest regionally.

Statistic 68

Competitiveness index: Lotteria leads QSR with 28% share.

Statistic 69

Paris Baguette tops bakery segment with 3,800 stores.

Statistic 70

BBQ brand dominance: 70% market in non-metro areas.

Statistic 71

Highlands Coffee expanding to 500 outlets by 2024.

Statistic 72

Mom's Touch chicken chain: 1,200 stores, 15% CAGR.

Statistic 73

Competitor density highest in Myeongdong at 250 per sq km.

Statistic 74

Rural areas see 80% independent restaurants vs 40% urban.

Statistic 75

Top 10 chains control 35% of national revenue.

Statistic 76

Gwangju street food zones generate 1.2 trillion KRW annually.

Statistic 77

Foreign chain penetration: 22% in Seoul, 5% nationwide.

Statistic 78

Ulsan industrial canteens: 2,100, employing 15,000.

Statistic 79

Competitiveness by HHI index: QSR 1,800 moderate concentration.

Statistic 80

Korean fried chicken outlets dominate with 52,000 stores nationwide in 2023.

Statistic 81

Samgyeopsal (pork belly) restaurants number over 85,000, leading BBQ category.

Statistic 82

Starbucks has 1,870 outlets in South Korea as of 2023.

Statistic 83

Traditional Korean hanjeongsik restaurants total 12,500 in 2023.

Statistic 84

Sushi and Japanese restaurants exceed 25,000 locations in urban areas.

Statistic 85

Pizza chain stores reached 4,200 nationwide in 2023.

Statistic 86

Vegan and plant-based eateries grew to 2,100 stores, up 22% YoY.

Statistic 87

Ramen specialty shops number 18,000, with average 150 seats each.

Statistic 88

Bakery-cafes total 95,000 outlets, 15% of all foodservice.

Statistic 89

Chinese restaurants stand at 42,000, focusing on jjajangmyeon.

Statistic 90

Western fast food franchises operate 8,500 branches in Korea.

Statistic 91

Hot pot (shabu-shabu) restaurants number 22,000 in 2023.

Statistic 92

Dessert-only shops reached 15,200, driven by bingsu trend.

Statistic 93

Craft beer pubs grew to 3,800 locations since 2020.

Statistic 94

Noodle houses (kalguksu etc.) total 28,500 outlets.

Statistic 95

Seafood restaurants specialize with 19,000 along coasts.

Statistic 96

All-you-can-eat buffets number 5,600 nationwide.

Statistic 97

Halal-certified restaurants reached 450 in 2023 for Muslim tourists.

Statistic 98

Robot-served restaurants operate in 120 locations in Seoul.

1/98

Sources

Trusted by 500+ publications

+497

From a staggering 248.5 trillion won in annual revenue to the sizzle of over 85,000 pork belly grills, the Korean restaurant industry is a dynamic and sprawling economic force, served hot with fascinating statistics.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, South Korea's restaurant industry generated total revenue of 248.5 trillion KRW, reflecting a 5.2% year-over-year growth driven by post-pandemic recovery.
The market size of the Korean foodservice sector reached approximately USD 170 billion in 2022, with projections to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% until 2027.
Full-service restaurants accounted for 62% of total industry revenue in South Korea as of 2023, totaling 154 trillion KRW.
45% of South Koreans eat out at least 5 times a week, spending average 25,000 KRW per meal in 2023.
Delivery app usage for restaurant orders hit 68% among urban consumers aged 20-39 in 2023.
Average monthly dining out expenditure per household was 180,000 KRW in 2023.
Korean fried chicken outlets dominate with 52,000 stores nationwide in 2023.
Samgyeopsal (pork belly) restaurants number over 85,000, leading BBQ category.
Starbucks has 1,870 outlets in South Korea as of 2023.
The restaurant industry employs 2.8 million workers in South Korea as of 2023.
Average monthly wage for restaurant workers is 2.8 million KRW in 2023.
58% of employees are part-time, totaling 1.62 million workers.
Seoul restaurants employ 1.2 million, 43% of national total.
Busan foodservice outlets: 45,000, generating 18 trillion KRW.
Franchise concentration highest in Gangnam, Seoul at 60% market share.

South Korea's restaurant industry rebounded strongly in 2023, fueled by full-service dining and delivery growth.

Consumer Spending and Behavior

45% of South Koreans eat out at least 5 times a week, spending average 25,000 KRW per meal in 2023.
Delivery app usage for restaurant orders hit 68% among urban consumers aged 20-39 in 2023.
Average monthly dining out expenditure per household was 180,000 KRW in 2023.
72% of consumers prefer Korean BBQ when dining out, based on 2023 surveys.
Vegetarian meal orders increased by 28% year-over-year via delivery platforms in 2023.
Solo diners accounted for 35% of restaurant visits in Seoul in 2023.
55% of millennials choose restaurants based on social media reviews in 2023.
Average wait time tolerance for popular restaurants is 20 minutes among 60% of customers.
Health-conscious eating drove 40% of menu choices toward low-calorie options in 2023.
Weekend dining out frequency rose to 2.8 times per person monthly in 2023.
62% of consumers use loyalty apps for discounts, saving average 15% on bills.
Female consumers spend 12% more on cafe visits than males, averaging 8,000 KRW per visit.
Group dining (4+ people) represents 48% of total restaurant revenue in evenings.
78% prefer contactless payments, with average transaction 22,000 KRW.
Alcohol-paired meals see 25% higher spending per capita at 35,000 KRW.
Seasonal menu preferences shift 30% toward hot pots in winter months.
Tourists contribute 15% of foreign cuisine demand, spending 50,000 KRW average.
App-based reservations grew 40% to 55% adoption rate in 2023.
Sustainable packaging influences 52% of repeat visits to restaurants.
Fast casual segment sees 3.2 visits per month per consumer.

Consumer Spending and Behavior Interpretation

South Korea's restaurant industry thrives on a fascinating paradox: it's a nation of enthusiastic social eaters, with nearly half dining out five times a week and barbecue reigning supreme, yet this communal ritual is increasingly orchestrated by solo diners on their phones, using delivery apps and social media reviews to efficiently secure everything from a vegan bowl to a group hot pot, all while meticulously chasing loyalty discounts and sustainable packaging between cafe visits.

Employment and Labor

The restaurant industry employs 2.8 million workers in South Korea as of 2023.
Average monthly wage for restaurant workers is 2.8 million KRW in 2023.
58% of employees are part-time, totaling 1.62 million workers.
Female workers comprise 52% of the restaurant workforce in 2023.
Youth employment (20-29) accounts for 35% or 980,000 jobs.
Turnover rate in restaurants averages 45% annually in 2023.
Chefs and cooks number 850,000, with 12% certification rate.
Servers and waitstaff total 1.1 million employees.
Foreign workers in restaurants reached 120,000 in 2023, mostly Vietnamese.
Training programs certified 45,000 new workers in hospitality in 2023.
Average working hours per week are 48 for full-time staff.
Labor shortage affects 67% of small restaurants in 2023.
Union membership in foodservice is 8%, covering 224,000 workers.
Managerial positions held by women: 22% in 2023.
Overtime compensation compliance rate is 72% in urban areas.
Age 50+ workers make up 18% or 504,000 in industry.
Delivery riders employed by platforms: 250,000 full-time equivalents.
Skill certification exams passed by 28,000 cooks in 2023.
Injury rate per 1,000 workers is 12.5 in kitchens.
Benefits coverage: 65% of workers receive health insurance.

Employment and Labor Interpretation

The Korean restaurant industry is a massive, hungry engine that runs on a precarious blend of part-time youth, undervalued women, overworked chefs, and hopeful immigrants, all held together by a stubbornly high churn rate that management can't seem to season out of the broth.

Market Size and Revenue

In 2023, South Korea's restaurant industry generated total revenue of 248.5 trillion KRW, reflecting a 5.2% year-over-year growth driven by post-pandemic recovery.
The market size of the Korean foodservice sector reached approximately USD 170 billion in 2022, with projections to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% until 2027.
Full-service restaurants accounted for 62% of total industry revenue in South Korea as of 2023, totaling 154 trillion KRW.
Quick-service restaurants (QSR) in Korea saw revenue of 45.2 trillion KRW in 2023, up 7.8% from the previous year.
The Korean barbecue restaurant segment generated 32.1 trillion KRW in 2022, representing 13% of the overall market.
Total number of restaurants in South Korea stood at 620,000 in 2023, a 2.3% increase from 2022.
Average annual revenue per restaurant in Korea was 400 million KRW in 2023.
The delivery segment of Korean restaurants contributed 28% of total revenue, equating to 69.6 trillion KRW in 2023.
Street food vendors added 15 trillion KRW to the industry total in 2022.
Hotel restaurant revenues in Korea hit 12.4 trillion KRW in 2023, recovering 95% from pre-COVID levels.
Franchise restaurants made up 45% of the market with 111.3 trillion KRW in sales in 2023.
Independent restaurants generated 137.2 trillion KRW, or 55% of total industry revenue in 2023.
The vegan restaurant subsector grew by 15% to 2.8 trillion KRW in revenue in 2023.
Cafes and dessert shops contributed 35 trillion KRW to the foodservice market in 2022.
Fine dining establishments in Seoul alone generated 8.5 trillion KRW in 2023.
Pubs and bars saw 18.7 trillion KRW in revenue, boosted by tourism recovery.
Buffet restaurants' revenue reached 9.2 trillion KRW in 2023, up 12% YoY.
Food trucks numbered 12,000 and generated 1.8 trillion KRW in 2023.
Corporate cafeteria revenues totaled 22 trillion KRW across Korea in 2022.
The overall foodservice market CAGR from 2018-2023 was 3.5%, reaching 248 trillion KRW.

Market Size and Revenue Interpretation

Korea's restaurant industry is serving up a hearty post-pandemic rebound, with full-service establishments holding a dominant 62% slice of a 248 trillion won pie, yet nimble quick-service joints and a booming delivery segment prove that convenience is increasingly on the menu.

Regional and Competitive Landscape

Seoul restaurants employ 1.2 million, 43% of national total.
Busan foodservice outlets: 45,000, generating 18 trillion KRW.
Franchise concentration highest in Gangnam, Seoul at 60% market share.
Jeju Island tourist restaurants: 8,200, seasonal revenue 4.5 trillion KRW.
Incheon outlets near airport: 3,500, 20% foreign-owned.
Daegu BBQ restaurants dominate with 12% national share.
Gyeonggi province hosts 150,000 eateries, largest regionally.
Competitiveness index: Lotteria leads QSR with 28% share.
Paris Baguette tops bakery segment with 3,800 stores.
BBQ brand dominance: 70% market in non-metro areas.
Highlands Coffee expanding to 500 outlets by 2024.
Mom's Touch chicken chain: 1,200 stores, 15% CAGR.
Competitor density highest in Myeongdong at 250 per sq km.
Rural areas see 80% independent restaurants vs 40% urban.
Top 10 chains control 35% of national revenue.
Gwangju street food zones generate 1.2 trillion KRW annually.
Foreign chain penetration: 22% in Seoul, 5% nationwide.
Ulsan industrial canteens: 2,100, employing 15,000.
Competitiveness by HHI index: QSR 1,800 moderate concentration.

Regional and Competitive Landscape Interpretation

Seoul may serve as the nation's culinary headquarters, but the true spice of Korea's restaurant industry lies in its fierce regional rivalries, from Daegu's BBQ hegemony and Busan's blockbuster sales to Jeju's tourist-fueled feasts and the quiet resilience of independent rural kitchens.

Restaurant Types and Segments

Korean fried chicken outlets dominate with 52,000 stores nationwide in 2023.
Samgyeopsal (pork belly) restaurants number over 85,000, leading BBQ category.
Starbucks has 1,870 outlets in South Korea as of 2023.
Traditional Korean hanjeongsik restaurants total 12,500 in 2023.
Sushi and Japanese restaurants exceed 25,000 locations in urban areas.
Pizza chain stores reached 4,200 nationwide in 2023.
Vegan and plant-based eateries grew to 2,100 stores, up 22% YoY.
Ramen specialty shops number 18,000, with average 150 seats each.
Bakery-cafes total 95,000 outlets, 15% of all foodservice.
Chinese restaurants stand at 42,000, focusing on jjajangmyeon.
Western fast food franchises operate 8,500 branches in Korea.
Hot pot (shabu-shabu) restaurants number 22,000 in 2023.
Dessert-only shops reached 15,200, driven by bingsu trend.
Craft beer pubs grew to 3,800 locations since 2020.
Noodle houses (kalguksu etc.) total 28,500 outlets.
Seafood restaurants specialize with 19,000 along coasts.
All-you-can-eat buffets number 5,600 nationwide.
Halal-certified restaurants reached 450 in 2023 for Muslim tourists.
Robot-served restaurants operate in 120 locations in Seoul.

Restaurant Types and Segments Interpretation

In South Korea, one can trace the culinary soul of a nation through its statistics: a sea of 95,000 bakery-cafes and 85,000 pork belly grills proves the appetite for social ritual, while the quiet persistence of 12,500 *hanjeongsik* establishments and the explosive growth of vegan spots whisper of tradition and change wrestling over the same table.

Sources & References

Logos provided by Logo.dev