11 POPULAR FOOD DELIVERY APPS IN SOUTH KOREA
- Elena-Daniela Sandu
- May 27
- 9 min read
The food delivery market in South Korea is vibrant, diverse and consumer-oriented, making your customer experience pleasant and exciting. Being highly competitive, it is continuously enhanced by a strong digital infrastructure that supports the widespread use of smartphones. This article presents 10 major Korean food delivery apps categorised by service type and target audience.
POPULAR FOOD DELIVERY PLATFORMS (ALL-IN-ONE SERVICES)
Delivery type: restaurants, cafes, convenience stores and grocery delivery services
1.BAEDAL MINJOK / BAEMIN
Baedal Minjok (배달의 민족 / "Baemin") is South Korea’s largest food delivery app.
App’s Features: extensive restaurant network (over 140.000 restaurants across South Korea), wide variety of cuisines, full menus of the restaurants, user reviews and ratings, personalised recommendations, saving your favorite restaurants for ordering again, real-time order tracking, promotion and discounts, subscription service Baemin One for free delivery
Language support: Korean language only
Payment Methods: credit cards and debit cards (including some foreign cards), mobile payments (Kakao Pay, Naver Pay), cash on delivery
Tips for foreign users :
- No Korean bank account needed – you can place orders without a Korean bank account or number
- Address input recommended – use the GPS feature to set your delivery location accurately
- Translation tools could be helpful – consider using translation apps or a browser extension to navigate the app if you aren’t fluent in Korean
2. YOGIYO
Yogiyo (요기요) is South Korea’s second-largest food delivery platform, owned by Delivery Hero.
App’s Features: extensive restaurant selection (access to a wide array of local eateries), wide variety of cuisines, menus categorized by cuisine type, convenience store and grocery deliveries (including groceries chains like Homeplus), real-time order tracking, loyalty program (point accumulation through orders redeemed for discounts on future purchases), frequent promotions and coupons
Language support: Korean language only
Payment Methods: supports various digital payment options such as KakaoPay or TossPay, available without requiring a full account setup, and for registered members, cash or card payment on delivery
Tips for foreign users :
- Address input recommended – use the GPS feature to set your delivery location accurately
- Translation tools could be helpful – if you aren’t fluent in Korean, when using the web version, try browser translation extensions or tools
- Visual cues aid – within the app, many menus include images aiding the selection process despite language barriers
3. COUPANG EATS
Coupang Eats is one of South Korea’s leading food delivery apps, known for its fast delivery, run by e-commerce giant Coupang.
App’s Features: integration with Coupang ecosystem, fast delivery service (often delivering orders within 15-20 minutes), wide restaurant selection (vast array of options from local eateries to international cuisines), real-time order tracking, ratings, personalised suggestions
Language support: Coupang Eats offers English translations for menus, but some translations may not be entirely accurate because they are generated automatically.
Payment Methods: supports various payment methods, including Korean credit or debit cards and mobile payment systems like Samsung Pay
Tips for foreign users :
- Address input recommended – use the GPS feature to set your delivery location accurately
- Translation tools could be helpful – if you use the web version of the app, consider using browser extensions or translation tools in case you don’t understand Korean
- Korean Card Usage – it is advisable to use a Korean payment method if possible, as many users have reported challenges when using foreign credit or debit cards
4. LOTTE EATS
Lotte Eats (롯데잇츠) is Lotte’s Group's official delivery and take-out platform, which combines services from Lotte’s restaurant chains and affiliated food brands.
App’s Features: direct ordering from Lotte-affiliated restaurants (Lotteria, TGI Fridays, Krispy Kreme, Angel-in-us), delivery, pick-up and table options available, loyalty points accumulation via L.POINT usable across Lotte ecosystem, mobile coupons and promotional offers for Lotte members, rechargeable Lotte eats cards manageable online
Language support: primarily in Korea, although some users have shared methods to navigate the app using translation tools or by changing device language settings, but these are not officially supported features
Payment Methods: supports various payment methods, including Korean credit or debit cards and mobile payment systems like IT’S PAY
Tips for foreign users :
- Translation tools – given the lack of English support, navigating the app may be challenging, so utilising translation apps or seeking assistance from Korean-speaking individuals can be helpful
- Integrated Payment System – IT’S PAY simplifies the payment process by allowing easy and convenient transactions without complicated procedures
- Various ordering methods – Lotte Eats allows you to have your order delivered to your specified location, order your food in advance and pick it up without waiting or place orders directly within the store while sitting at the table
5. FOOD FLY
Food Fly (푸드플라이) is a South Korean delivery service specializing in delivering meals from premium restaurants that traditionally did not offer delivery services.
App’s Features: premium restaurant services, in-house delivery fleet, real-time order tracking, user-friendly interface
Language support: exclusively in Korean
Payment Methods: accepts various Korean payment methods, including local credit/debit cards and mobile payment systems, but may not accept foreign cards
Tips for foreign users :
- Language assistance – non-Korean speakers may find it helpful to use translation apps or seek assistance from Korean-speaking friends when navigating the platform
- Authentic experience – high-quality meals from renowned restaurants in the comfort of your home
- Quality services – unlike some platforms that rely on third-party couriers, FoodFly maintains its own team of delivery personnel to ensure quality control and timely service
INTERNATIONAL-FOCUSED DELIVERY PLATFORMS (ENGLISH-FRIENDLY OPTIONS)
6. SHUTTLE DELIVERY
Shuttle Delivery (셔틀) is a South Korean food delivery platform designed for foreigners, expats and tourists, which simplifies the food ordering process for non-Korean speakers.
App’s Features: multilingual support, no Korean phone number required, flexible payment, methods, diverse cuisine selection (including local Korean dishes, Halal, Turkish, European, vegan, and more), customer support (available in English and Koean), additional services (grocery delivery, heat-to-eat meals, home essentials, and gifts with next-day delivery via Shuttle Market)
Language support: multilingual support for app and website (English, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Bahasa Indonesia, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Cantonese, French, Spanish, German, Arabic, and Hindi), but menu available only in English and Korean
Payment Methods: accepts major international and Korean credit cards, PayPal, KakaoPay, and even cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash
Tips for foreign users :
- Service areas – Shuttle Delivery operates in major cities and regions with significant foreign populations (Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gyeonggi-do), but service availability may vary by region, so users are advised to check for service in their area through the app
- No need for Korean Identification – Shuttle does not require a Korean phone number, bank account or alien registration card (which is ideal for tourists)
- Promotions – new users can enjoy discounts on their first order using promo codes like "SHUTTLE" for ₩5.000 off
SUPER APP FOOD SERVICES
7. NAVER SMART ORDER
Naver Smart Order is a service integrated within the Naver ecosystem that allows users to place orders for food and beverages from various restaurants and cafes across South Korea.
App’s Features: integrated ordering (users can browse and order from a variety of restaurants directly through Naver's platform), multiple payment options, real-time order tracking
Language support: Korean language interface (although some Naver services, such as Naver Map, offer multilingual support)
Payment Methods: supports Korean payment methods such as Naver Pay and may have limited support for foreign credit or debit cards
Tips for foreign users :
- Payment challenges – without a Korean bank account or credit card, completing transactions may be difficult
- Naver services - Naver Smart Order is often linked with Naver Map, which makes it easier to find nearby restaurants that support Smart Order
- Translation tools –navigating the app may be challenging if there is no English language support, so utilising translation apps is encouraged while navigating the app
8. KAKAOTALK ORDER
KakaoTalk Order is a food ordering feature integrated within South Korea's most popular messaging app, KakaoTalk.
App’s Features: integrated ordering (users can browse and order from a variety of restaurants directly through KakaoTalk's interface), multiple payment options, real-time order tracking
Language support: Korean language interface (although KakaoTalk supports multiple languages, including English)
Payment Methods: supports Korean payment methods such as Kakao Paya and may have limited support for foreign credit or debit cards
Tips for foreign users :
- Payment challenges – without a Korean bank account or credit card, completing transactions may be difficult
- KakaoTalk services – KakaoTalk Order is linked to other Kakao services, such as KakaoTalk, which can be used within the ecosystem
- Translation tools –navigating the app may be challenging if there is no English language support, so utilising translation apps is encouraged while navigating the app
CONVENIENCE MEAL DELIVERY (FOR MEAL KITS, DIET MEALS, OR READY-MADE MEALS)
9. MARKET KURLY
Market Kurly is a premium online grocery delivery service in South Korea, renowned for its high-quality, fresh, and gourmet food offerings.
App’s Features: premium grocery selection (including organic produce, imported goods, and specialty items), next-day and early-morning delivery, personal payment system, benefits like points accumulation and discounts, user-friendly interface
Language support: English version of the app and website provided
Payment Methods: supports Korean credit and debit cards and bank transfers; moreover, the platform has introduced its own payment system, Kurly Pay, and a private label credit card, Kurly Card
Tips for foreign users :
- Address input - ensure your delivery address is entered in Korean to avoid any delivery issues
- Delivery instructions – because it is common in Korea for deliveries to be left at the door if you're not home, you have to clearly specify your delivery preferences during checkout
- Korean Cuisine Exploration - Market Kurly offers local ingredients and ready-to-cook kits, Korean cooking, perfect for people who prefer cooking at home
10. HELLO NATURE
Hello Nature (헬로네이처) is a premium online grocery delivery service in South Korea, renowned for its fresh, organic, and eco-friendly products. It was the first in Korea to introduce the "dawn delivery" service, ensuring customers receive their orders early in the morning.
App’s Features: dawn delivery service, wide range of organic products, subscription options (for regular deliveries), popular with families and health-conscious consumers
Language support: Korean language interface
Payment Methods: accepts Korean credit/debit cards and mobile payment options like Kakao Pay and Naver Pay, but foreign credit or debit cards are not accepted
Tips for foreign users :
- Translation tools – users are advised to use browser translation extensions or apps to navigate the website and understand the details of the products they are interested in
- Affordable pricing – known for competitive pricing on organic and health-focused products
- Fast delivery – same-day or next-day delivery services in select areas
11. OASIS MARKET
Oasis Market (오아시스마켓) is a South Korean online grocery delivery platform specialising in fresh, organic, and eco-friendly products. It offers a convenient shopping experience for health-conscious consumers seeking high-quality items delivered directly to their homes.
App’s Features: fresh and organic products available, dawn delivery service, competitive pricing, wide product range (groceries, meal kits, household goods), popular with families and health-conscious consumers
Language support: Korean language interface
Payment Methods: accepts Korean credit/debit cards and mobile payment options like Kakao Pay and Naver Pay, but foreign credit or debit cards are not accepted
Tips for foreign users :
- Seek assistance – consider asking a Korean-speaking friend to help with ordering and payment processes, or use translation tools such as browser extensions
- Affordable pricing – known for competitive pricing on organic and health-focused products
- Fast delivery – same-day or next-day delivery services in select areas
FAST FOOD franchises
Mc Donald’s
Burger King
KFC
Lotteria 롯데잇츠 Lotteeatz
Mom’s touch
No brand burger
5 TIPS FOR USING FOOD DELIVERY APPS IN KOREA
1. LANGUAGE BARRIER – Most major apps are in Korean, so try using apps like Papago or Google Lens for translation
2. PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS – Korean apps often require local bank cards or mobile payment systems, so try using suitable options such as Naver Pay, Kakao Pay or Samsung Pay.
3. ADDRESS INPUT – Korea uses two address formats, so if your address doesn’t appear when you type it in the app, try switching to the other format.
4. COUPONS AND DISCOUNTS – Many platforms offer frequent discounts, especially to new users.
5. USE THE RIGHT APP – Select the best app according to your needs and make sure it fits your interests and situation.
- If you are a tourist or an expat, the Shuttle may be the right option for you as it is English-friendly and allows the use of international payment methods.
- If you prefer a large food selection and quick delivery, and benefit from a residence card or a Korean credit card, you can download Baemin, Yogiyo or Coupang Eats.
- If you crave delicious, high-quality meals, Food Fly is the right option.
- If you prefer map/chat-based ordering, you could try well-known services such as Naver Smart Order or Kakao Order.
- Corporate ecosystem apps such as Lotte Eats offer great food delivery services tied to their own popular brands.
- If you are someone who is keen on healthy eating or prefers cooking your own food, apps such as Market Kurly, Hello Nature, or Oasis Market could provide you with what you need.
Comments