Is it rude to leave a tip in Korea?

It is not expected. Visit Seoul notes that some people accept a tip and some refuse it, so if staff hand money back, take it without insisting.

Should I round up a taxi fare?

You do not have to. Visit Seoul says drivers do not expect a tip but appreciate it if you let them keep the change.

How do I know if a service charge is on my bill?

Look for a separate service line on the hotel folio or restaurant bill. Visit Seoul says many major hotels and upscale restaurants add 10% for service in addition to 10% VAT.

Can I get the VAT back on a restaurant meal?

No. The tourist tax refund covers goods you take out of Korea, bought at participating stores for ₩15,000 or more per receipt.

Tipping in Korea: Do You Tip, and What Service Charges Mean

What to do

Pay the amount on the bill and leave it there. Visit Seoul, the official tourism site of Seoul, says tipping is not a Korean custom and staff will not expect it.

At major hotels and upscale restaurants, check the bill for a service charge. If one is listed, service is already paid for.

Restaurants, cafes and bars

Pay what the bill says, by card or cash, and do not add extra. The service staff are not counting on a tip, so leaving nothing is normal and not a sign that you were unhappy.

The Visit Seoul etiquette page says some people accept a tip while others refuse it. If someone declines, thank them and move on.

Taxis

Pay the metered fare. Drivers do not expect a tip, but Visit Seoul notes they appreciate it if you let them keep small change. That is the closest thing to a tipping habit you will meet.

Hotels and upscale restaurants

This is where the bill can be higher than the listed price. Visit Seoul says many major hotels and upscale restaurants add a 10% service charge, and that comes on top of the 10% VAT.

So a room or a set menu priced before tax and service can end up costing noticeably more at checkout. Ask at booking, or look at the rate details, to see whether the quoted price includes tax and service.

When the bill shows both lines, you do not need to add anything beyond them. If you see a charge you did not expect, raise it at the front desk or with the server before you pay, since it is easier to sort out on the spot.

VAT and the price you see

Korea’s Value-Added Tax Act sets VAT at 10%, under Article 30. At stores in the tourist tax refund scheme, the tax is part of the tag price. You can see this with the instant refund: VisitKorea describes the store deducting the tax from the item price at the till.

The tax refund applies to goods you take home, bought at participating stores for ₩15,000 or more on one receipt. Meals and taxi rides are not part of it.

Paying the bill

Since there is no tip to work out, paying is simple: the total you are shown is what you hand over. VisitKorea says cards are widely accepted at major hotels, department stores and general shops, including Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

Smaller shops, traditional markets and street vendors often take cash only, per the same page. Keep some ₩1,000 and ₩5,000 notes for these, so you can pay the exact amount without worrying about change.

If you want to show thanks, a friendly word at the counter is enough. Nobody will think less of you for paying exactly what the bill says.

Quick reference

Situation	What to do
Casual restaurant or cafe	Pay the bill, no tip
Bar or pub	Pay the bill, no tip
Taxi	Pay the meter; keeping the change is welcome but optional
Major hotel	Check the folio for a 10% service charge and 10% VAT
Upscale restaurant	Check the bill for a 10% service charge
Shop with Tax Free sign	Ask about the tax refund if you spend ₩15,000 or more

Common mistakes

Adding a tip on top of a service charge. At hotels and upscale restaurants, the 10% service charge already covers service.
Assuming a tip is welcome everywhere. Some staff refuse tips, so do not leave money on the table expecting it to be kept.
Insisting when a tip is refused. Pushing money on someone can make the moment awkward. A simple thank you is enough.
Reading a pre tax hotel rate as final. Check whether tax and service are included before you book.

When this does not apply

Visit Seoul does not give tipping rules for private tours or guides, so ask the operator when you book. Prices and billing practices vary by business, so check the bill and the official page before you pay.