Food is one of Seoul's biggest draws, but a lot of visitors aren't prepared for the lines. Popular spots like London Bagel Museum can have you waiting anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. The good news? There's a way to join a Korean restaurant waiting list even without a local phone number.
Why Seoul's Waiting List System Is Different
Seoul has an incredibly advanced digital reservation culture. Many restaurants no longer accept regular walk-ins, and platforms like Naver Reservation and Catchtable have dominated the booking scene since 2015. The catch, both are built for local users, and a Korean phone number is the main requirement for verification.
How to Join a Korean Restaurant Waiting List Without a Korean Number
Right now, there are two solid options: Catchtable Global and Naver Map with passport verification.
Catchtable Global, The Most Tourist-Friendly Option
Catchtable Global is the international version of Catchtable, one of the most popular restaurant reservation apps among locals. It was launched specifically to solve the headache foreign tourists face.
Key advantages of Catchtable Global:
- Sign up with Google or Apple, no Korean phone number needed
- Supports international credit cards for deposit payments
- Available in English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese
- Remote waitlist feature lets you join the queue from anywhere
- Email notifications when your turn is almost up
For the waiting list, no deposit is required. Just sign up, add your name to the waitlist, and track your queue status in real time through the app or email. Way more convenient than standing outside a restaurant. Keep in mind the restaurant selection on Catchtable Global is more limited than the Korean version, but the most popular and trending spots in Seoul are generally on there.
Naver Map, A Broader Alternative
Naver Map is Korea's go-to navigation app with over 30 million monthly active users. Beyond directions, it also has a built-in restaurant reservation feature. Good news for tourists: Naver now offers a special verification path for foreign users using a passport or international driver's license, no Korean phone number required.
Steps to verify your Naver account as a tourist:
- Download the Naver app on iOS or Android
- When prompted for verification, select the "inquiry" option or the foreign national pathway
- Upload a photo of your passport or other official ID
- Once verified, you can access reservation and waiting list features
The interface is still mostly in Korean, but English mode is available in the settings. Tip: for more accurate restaurant search results, try typing the restaurant name in Korean characters.
Bonus Tip: Just Ask the Staff
If the restaurant you're after isn't on Catchtable Global or Naver, there's a simple option people often overlook, just walk up and talk to the staff at the door. Let them know you're a tourist without a Korean number. Many restaurants are familiar with this situation and will either add your name manually or ask you to wait on-site. Worth a shot, Korean restaurant staff are generally pretty accommodating about it.
Popular Seoul Restaurants That Use Waiting Lists
Some of the most sought-after spots in Seoul running digital waiting list systems:
London Bagel Museum (Anguk & Dosan)
One of Seoul's most viral cafés, weekend queues can stretch 3 to 4 hours. The waiting list opens on Catchtable from 7:30 AM. Pro tip: get your name in early, then explore Bukchon Hanok Village while you wait.
Tosokchon Samgyetang (Jongno)
A legendary ginseng chicken soup restaurant that's been around since 1983. Its popularity never fades, long lines are just part of the daily scene, especially at lunch.
Myeongdong Kyoja (Jung-gu)
A hugely popular three-story kalguksu noodle restaurant with a loyal local following. It doesn't always use an app-based system, but showing up outside of peak lunch hours is strongly recommended if you want to skip the wait.
Extra Tips to Save Your Time
A few strategies to make eating your way through Seoul more efficient:
- Join waiting lists before leaving your hotel, some restaurants open slots first thing in the morning
- Go on weekdays, Saturday and Sunday queues can be 2–3x longer than usual
- Arrive before opening time, places like London Bagel Museum start their queue system at 7:30 AM
- Keep an eye on email notifications, Catchtable Global sends updates via email, so make sure notifications are on
- Have an international credit card ready, some restaurants require a deposit when booking
Once you get the hang of how waiting lists work and start using the right apps, eating in Seoul gets a whole lot more enjoyable. No need to burn 2–3 hours standing at a door, that time is better spent exploring more of the city.
