Restaurant’s ban on solo diners sparks debate online in Korea
A notice posted on Monday appears on social media, stating that solo diners are not accepted. Captured from Threads
A handwritten sign at a Korean restaurant declaring that it will not serve solo diners has stirred heated debate online, with most commenters criticizing the policy but some arguing that business owners have the right to set their own rules.
The controversy began on Monday when a social media user posted a photo of the sign on Threads, saying, “I turned around after seeing this at the entrance.” The notice listed four “options” for customers eating alone: “1. Pay for two servings, 2. Eat two servings, 3. Call a friend, 4. Come back with your wife next time.” A speech bubble beneath the list read, “We don’t sell loneliness. Please don’t come alone.” The tone made it clear that solo diners were not welcome.
Most online users reacted negatively. Comments included, “The owner’s mindset seems outdated" and “The owner probably thinks this is funny.” Other users, however, defended the restaurant, saying, “People accepted cafés banning Chinese customers, but draw the line at banning solo diners? That’s contradictory” and “If the owner is willing to take the financial hit, it’s their choice and should be respected.”
A restaurant notice bans solo diners from watching YouTube while eating. Captured from Thread
This is not the first time Korea has seen controversy over the treatment of solo diners, commonly called “honbap” customers in Korean. In July, a YouTuber visiting a restaurant in Yeosu alone ordered two servings but still received rude comments from staff, who told her to “eat quickly” because “more people are coming.” The incident sparked widespread criticism for what many saw as unprofessional and discriminatory behavior.
In May, another photo went viral showing a sign prohibiting solo diners from watching YouTube while eating, adding to growing discussions over how restaurants view individual customers in a country where solo dining is increasingly common.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.