Baemin: A Guide for International Students in Korea

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One of the first challenges international students face when starting their studies in Korea is adjusting to food and meals. Cooking Korean food at home can be unfamiliar due to the different ingredients and cooking methods, and eating out often can feel financially burdensome. In such situations, Korea’s well-developed “food delivery” culture is a great help. South Korea is known worldwide for its advanced delivery systems, with the most representative app being “Baedal Minjok” (commonly known as Baemin).

With just the Baemin app, you can have nearly every type of cuisine—Korean, Western, Chinese, snacks, desserts—delivered right to your door. You can place an order in just a few taps on the app without needing to make a phone call, and even track the delivery status in real time. In this post, we’ll explore Baemin’s key features, how to sign up, payment options, and various tips that can help international students use the app more conveniently.

Background of Korea’s Delivery Culture

Long before smartphone apps, Korea had a thriving culture of “phone order and motorcycle delivery.” But around 2010, as smartphones became widespread, delivery apps gained explosive popularity. Baemin especially stood out with its simple user interface and attractive discount coupons and promotions. Nowadays, anywhere in Korea, Baemin allows you to instantly check all nearby restaurants and place an order within minutes.

For international students, the biggest advantage is that you can place orders via the app even if you’re not fluent in spoken Korean. Plus, you can read helpful descriptions, photos, reviews, and ratings to choose your meal confidently. While the initial UI was mainly in Korean, Baemin has gradually expanded foreign language support such as English, making it more accessible for international users.

Signing Up and Initial Setup for the Baemin App

First, download the “Baedal Minjok” app from Google Play or the App Store. To sign up, you’ll need a valid Korean mobile number. Even as a foreigner, you can register as long as you have a Korean SIM card. After agreeing to the terms and verifying your phone number, your account will be created. You can then add your payment method (credit card, quick pay, mobile payment, etc.) to streamline future orders.

The most important step is setting your delivery address. While GPS can detect your location, it may not be accurate, so it’s better to enter your address manually. For example, entering a street address like “123 OOO-ro, OOO-gu, Seoul” will allow the app to show nearby restaurants accordingly. If you live in a dorm or officetel, it’s helpful to include your building name and unit number so the delivery rider won’t have trouble finding you.

Main Features of the Baemin App

When you open the Baemin app, the main screen displays restaurants that deliver to your registered address. Featured deals and discounts are shown prominently, and you can explore categories like Korean, chicken, pizza, Chinese, and street food via the top or bottom menu. You can also use the search bar to look up specific keywords like “kimchi stew” or “vegan.”

On a restaurant’s detail page, you’ll see photos of popular items, prices, detailed descriptions, and user reviews. Reviews often include helpful comments like “Generous portion,” “A bit salty,” or “Delivery was quick,” helping you gauge quality. Once you select the dishes you want, add them to your cart, choose your delivery time and payment method, and you’re all set. Baemin supports a wide variety of payment methods including credit/debit cards, KakaoPay, Naver Pay, and mobile billing.

Coupons and Discounts

Baemin often offers new user promotions such as discounts on your first order, as well as occasional deals during weekends or late-night hours for certain food categories. By regularly checking app notifications or home screen banners, you can collect more coupons than you’d expect. For instance, a promotion like “₩3,000 off when paying with Baemin Pay” can significantly reduce the cost of a meal.

There’s also a point reward system. You may earn points from partial order refunds or from writing reviews, which can be used like cash on future orders. Accumulating these points diligently can lead to small but meaningful savings.

Delivery Process and Real-Time Tracking

After you place your order, you can track its status in real-time within the app’s order history screen. Status updates typically progress like this: “Order received by the store” → “Food is being prepared” → “Delivery has started” → “On the way” → “Delivery complete.” In some cases, you can even track the delivery rider’s location on a map, giving you an idea of when the food will arrive. This lets you prepare in advance, whether it’s tidying the front door or preparing cash, if needed.

In-App Communication Features

Even if your Korean isn’t fluent, international students can still communicate effectively using the app’s ‘Request’ section or chat feature. You could pre-translate common phrases like “Please make it less spicy” or “No disposable utensils needed,” and then copy and paste them in Korean. Some shops have also begun integrating AI translation features within the app, so English messages can automatically be converted into Korean for restaurant staff.

If your delivery address is complicated and might confuse the rider, you can leave detailed directions such as “Please go behind the ○○ building—you’ll see a red door.” Baemin also offers a customer support center and chatbot, so if issues arise, you can quickly get assistance within the app.

Tips for International Students

Late Night Cravings: Many restaurants in Korea operate delivery services until midnight or even into early morning hours. If you’re working late on homework or studying, it’s convenient to grab a snack. Of course, it’s best not to rely on this too often for health reasons, but occasionally embracing late-night delivery culture can be enjoyable for students.
Try New Foods: Baemin lets you explore traditional Korean dishes you might not usually try. For example, dishes like sundae soup, yukgaejang, samgyetang, or gamjatang offer warming broth-based experiences. Gradually discovering new favorites and learning what suits your taste can be part of the fun.
Group Orders: Ordering a large set meal with friends or roommates can help you split the delivery fee and save money overall. Some restaurants have minimum order amounts, which might be hard to meet alone. Grouping your order with others allows you to try more dishes and reduce costs.

Pros and Cons of Baemin

As for advantages, Baemin offers widespread restaurant availability and superb accessibility. It’s functional not only in Seoul but also in smaller cities and towns across Korea, so grabbing a quick meal is always just a few taps away. The user interface is sleek and intuitive, making it easy to use even for non-fluent Korean speakers, and the range of payment options is also a major plus.

However, one downside is that many parts of the interface are still primarily in Korean, and foreign language support can sometimes fall short. Additionally, delivery fees for small orders may feel expensive. Plus, excessive use of food delivery services can quickly inflate your food budget, so it’s a good idea to set some personal boundaries.

Contact-Free Delivery and Takeout Orders

Post-COVID, Baemin introduced a “Leave at door” option that has become quite common. For international students, it’s comforting not having to face a stranger directly. In addition, by using the takeout option, you can avoid delivery charges and go pick up the food yourself. After selecting the takeout option in-app and completing payment, just visit the restaurant when notified—no need to wait in line.

Conclusion: Enjoy the Flavors of Korea with Baemin

Baemin is the quintessential app that represents Korea’s advanced food delivery culture and is an invaluable tool for international students trying to navigate meal times. The synergy between leading IT technology and Korea’s efficient delivery infrastructure allows you to get your favorite meals delivered to your door in just a few taps—and that accessibility is one of the biggest charms of life in Korea.

Still, it’s crucial to use the service moderately for both your health and your budget. Overordering delivery can lead to weight gain or high meal expenses, so it’s a good idea to balance it out with occasional home cooking or dining out. That said, during exam season or in stressful, busy times—or if that late-night snack craving really hits—Baemin might just become your most reliable “life companion.”