Korean Food Etiquette
In Korea, etiquette is very important whether it be in the social life or at the dining table. Unlike other Asian countries, Korea has its own unique set of etiquette that anyone can learn and use. Here are some great tips on Korean table manners brought to you by Naomi Imatome-Yun of about.com
1. Wait to be seated
Wait for the oldest person/people to sit down first before you take a seat at the table.
2. Before you begin
Before you eat, especially at someone's home, it's polite to say that you are looking forward to the meal. In Korean, people say Jalmukesumneda (I will eat well).
3. Beginning the meal
Wait for the oldest person/people to lift their spoon or chopsticks first before you start eating.
4. During the meal
Don't blow your nose at the table. Ever.
5. Don't rush or linger
Try to eat at the same pace as everyone else, especially the elders.
6. Soup and rice bowls
During the meal, don't hold the bowl of soup or rice (as you might do in other Asian countries like China or Japan).
7. Double dipping
Korean meals have many communal side dishes, so don't dig into the bowls and touch a lot of the other food while you're taking your own.
In Korea, respect is very important, as it is one of the main engine that the society runs on. Most of this respect is given to the seniority, or the elders.
Koreans in the younger generation surprisingly even give seniority and respect to others that are even just a year old!
Here are some more facts about Korea's unspoken rules of society, courtesy of zKorean.com