Customer scolded for eating too much at Korean buffet sparks debate online

A photo shared on social media shows a plate from a Korean buffet where the diner claimed to have eaten three servings on Monday. This was the first plate. Captured from online community

A woman’s claim that she was publicly scolded by the owner of a low-cost Korean buffet restaurant for eating too much has sparked a heated debate online, with opinions sharply divided over who crossed the line — the diner or the restaurant.

The story, first shared on social media on Monday, went viral this week after the unidentified woman described how she was humiliated at a buffet she had recently visited.

“I’ve been into Korean buffets lately, so I’ve been checking out different places,” she wrote. “But this time, I was harshly scolded in front of other people just for eating a lot. It was so humiliating and degrading.”

According to her post, she had three plates of food during her visit. “It wasn’t like I piled food on top,” she said. “The first plate was a small sample of everything, the second was bibimbap, and the third wasn’t even a full plate. I only tasted a few spoonfuls of pumpkin porridge, seaweed soup and dongchimi (radish water kimchi).”

She also uploaded photos of her plates, including empty ones, to show that she hadn’t wasted food.

Owner confronts diner over ‘too many plates’

The issue, the woman said, began when the restaurant owner noticed her stack of plates. “He kept staring at me and my dishes, and when I went to return them, he asked, ‘How many people ate all this?’ I told him I ate alone, just like I’ve been told at other places, ‘Thanks for eating so well.’”

But the response this time was different. “He said, ‘You’re eating alone and you used more than 10 dishes?’ and then loudly told the kitchen staff, ‘You can’t do this. This isn’t right.’ The woman in the kitchen chimed in too, saying, ‘How can you eat this much for 8,000 won ($5.80)?’”

Feeling cornered, the woman said she ended up paying for two portions and left feeling embarrassed and upset. “Even as I walked to the register, the owner kept muttering under his breath. I don’t think I overdid it. I just feel terrible,” she said.

She also posted a video of her conversation with the man, in which she offers to pay for two servings. Photos from the restaurant showed signs with messages such as “An additional 3,000 won will be charged for food waste,” “Fish prices are high — please limit to two pieces,” and “Please eat a reasonable amount of pork bulgogi.”

A sign reading “Please eat in moderation” is seen above a tray of stir-fried pork at a Korean buffet, in a photo posted on social media on Monday. Captured from online community

‘Three plates is too much?’ vs ‘Buffets aren’t all-you-can-eat’

As the story spread, internet users weighed in with mixed opinions. Many criticized the restaurant, arguing that the owner overreacted. Comments included: “It’s a buffet — isn’t eating a lot the whole point?” and “She finished her food and didn’t waste any. What’s the problem?” Some went as far as to say, “If you can’t handle people eating, you shouldn’t run a buffet.”

Others, however, took a more sympathetic view toward the restaurant. “Just because it’s a buffet doesn’t mean it’s unlimited,” one user wrote. Another added, “It sounds more like a workers’ cafeteria than a real buffet. Taking that much might be inconsiderate.”

As of now, the restaurant has not issued a response, while online debate continues over the blurry etiquette of eating at low-cost buffets.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.