page_title: Etiquette in South Korea
section_title: Eating and drinking
hierarchical_section_title: Etiquette in South Korea / Eating and drinking
caption_attribution_description: English: Korean restaurant Marou of Chevilly-Larue, France. Français&#160;: Restaurant coréen Marou de Chevilly-Larue en France.
context_page_description: In South Korea, etiquette, or the code of social behavior that governs human interactions, is largely derived from Korean Confucianism and focuses on the core values of this religion. In addition to general behaviour, etiquette in South Korea also determines how to behave with respect to social status. Although most aspects of etiquette are accepted by the country at large, customs can be localized to specific regions or influenced by other cultures, namely China, Japan, and the United States.
context_section_description: Table etiquette in South Korea can be traced back to the Confucian philosophies of the Joseon period. Traditionally when dining, South Koreans use cushions to sit on the floor and eat from a low table. The floor is generally heated by the ondol, an underfloor heating system. This custom is still common at many restaurants in South Korea. The dining area in a restaurant is generally on a raised platform, and visitors are expected to remove their shoes before stepping onto it. Today, most restaurants also have tables and chairs for visitors who feel uncomfortable sitting on the floor.
caption: South Korean restaurant, Marou.
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