Food delivery is a big part of everyday life in Korea.
Korea has developed an incredibly convenient delivery culture. You can order Korean fried chicken, jjajangmyeon, tteokbokki, coffee, desserts and many other foods without leaving your home or accommodation.
I live in Korea, and I personally use delivery services quite often. For me, one of the best things about Korea’s delivery culture is convenience. When I am tired, busy, hungry late at night, or simply do not feel like going outside, being able to order what I need makes everyday life much easier.
If you are visiting Korea, delivery is certainly not something you must use. But knowing how to use it can make your trip surprisingly convenient.
Imagine returning to your hotel after spending the entire day sightseeing in Seoul. Your feet hurt. You are tired and hungry. Depending on your location, restaurant hours and accommodation rules, you may be able to order dinner and receive it at your hotel’s permitted delivery point.
And in Korea, delivery is not limited to restaurant food. Baemin also operates Bmart, which offers groceries and everyday necessities. So if you suddenly want drinks, Korean snacks, fruit, milk or something simple to eat, you may be able to order those too.
But there is one important question for foreign visitors: Can you actually use Baemin without a Korean credit card?
The answer in 2026 is much better than it used to be.
Can foreigners use Baemin in Korea?
Yes. Baemin has made major changes that make its food-delivery service more accessible to foreign-language users.
In February 2026, Baemin introduced English, Chinese and Japanese support for major parts of the food-ordering process, including searching, choosing restaurants and menu items, payment and checking delivery status.
Baemin also supports global payment options, including foreign-issued credit cards, WeChat Pay and Alipay+.
From June 2, 2026, Baemin expanded Apple Pay to support eligible foreign-issued Visa, Mastercard, JCB and American Express cards.
So a Korean credit card is no longer the only payment option foreigners may encounter on Baemin.
Foreign card or Apple Pay? Know the difference
Baemin supports certain foreign-issued credit cards and global payment services such as WeChat Pay and Alipay+. Separately, Apple Pay on Baemin expanded to support eligible foreign-issued Visa, Mastercard, JCB and American Express cards from June 2, 2026.
That does not mean every foreign card from every issuer will always work through every payment route. Your available options can depend on your card, device, account and the payment choices currently shown in the app.
The safest rule is simple: check the payment methods Baemin actually shows you at checkout.
How to order food on Baemin
First, install or update the Baemin app. If you want to use English, Chinese or Japanese, check your mobile operating-system language settings.
- Search for a restaurant.
- Choose your food.
- Enter your delivery address carefully.
- Continue to checkout.
- Check which payment methods are currently available to you.
- Review the total price and delivery information.
- Complete the payment.
- Follow the delivery status in the app.
Before confirming the order, double-check your address.
Staying at a hotel? Delivery can be extremely convenient
This is one of the situations where travelers can get the most value from Korean delivery. After a full day of walking around Seoul, you may be able to order fried chicken, tteokbokki, noodles or another meal and receive it at your accommodation.
Do not assume the rider can deliver directly to your hotel room. Hotels and other accommodations have different policies. Depending on the property, you may need to meet the rider in the lobby, outside the entrance or at another designated delivery point.
- Check whether your accommodation accepts outside food delivery.
- Confirm the exact address.
- Find out where you should meet the rider.
- Check whether riders can enter the lobby.
- Add any delivery instructions you may need.
Late-night ordering can also be useful, but restaurant opening hours and delivery availability vary by location and time. Do not assume that every restaurant or every area in Korea offers 24-hour delivery.
The most reliable method is to open the app and check what is actually available at your location at that moment.
Bmart: you may not even need to visit a convenience store
Restaurant food is only part of what Baemin offers. Baemin also operates Bmart (B마트), a quick-commerce service for groceries and everyday necessities.
Depending on what is currently available in your area, you may find snacks, drinks, fruit, dairy products, fresh foods, simple foods, groceries and everyday necessities.
This can be particularly useful when traveling. Maybe you return to your hotel and realize you forgot to buy water. Maybe you want to try Korean snacks. Maybe you want fruit, milk or something simple to eat while relaxing in your room.
Instead of going outside again, you can check Bmart and the shopping options currently available in Baemin. Product selection, service availability and delivery time can vary by location and current conditions, so always check the app rather than assuming a specific item or delivery time is guaranteed.
What if your foreign card does not work?
A failed payment does not necessarily mean foreigners cannot use Baemin. First, check the other payment options displayed at checkout.
If you are using Apple Pay, make sure you have an eligible card correctly added to Apple Wallet. If a card is declined, your card issuer may also be responsible for the failure, including overseas or online transaction restrictions.
- Check whether the payment option is currently offered.
- Check whether your card is eligible.
- Check whether your bank allows the transaction.
- See whether another supported payment method is available.
Why do older Baemin guides give different answers?
Because Baemin changed significantly for foreign users in 2026. English, Chinese and Japanese support was introduced for major parts of food ordering, and Apple Pay support was expanded to eligible foreign-issued cards.
This means an old article may have been accurate when it was written but still be wrong for your trip today. When an old guide conflicts with what the current app shows, check Baemin’s latest information before relying on an old workaround.
Quick checklist for travelers
- Update the Baemin app.
- Use a supported language if available.
- Enter your delivery address carefully.
- Check the payment options currently displayed.
- If using Apple Pay, make sure your eligible foreign card is correctly set up.
- Check the restaurant’s current opening and delivery availability.
- If staying at a hotel, find out where you should receive the order.
- If you want snacks, drinks, groceries or daily necessities, check Bmart.
- Do not assume every restaurant, payment method or delivery service is available everywhere at all times.
FAQ
Can foreigners use Baemin in Korea?
Yes. Baemin supports English, Chinese and Japanese for major parts of its food-delivery ordering process and offers global payment options for foreign users.
Can I use a foreign credit card on Baemin?
Baemin supports foreign-issued credit cards as part of its global payment options. Actual availability can depend on the payment route and card, so check the options displayed at checkout.
Can I use Apple Pay with a foreign card?
From June 2, 2026, Baemin expanded Apple Pay to eligible foreign-issued Visa, Mastercard, JCB and American Express cards.
Is Baemin available in English?
Yes. English, Chinese and Japanese support was introduced in February 2026 for major parts of the food-ordering process.
Can Baemin deliver to my hotel room?
Do not assume so. Accommodation policies differ. Your hotel may require you to meet the rider in the lobby or at another designated location.
What is Bmart?
Bmart is Baemin’s quick-commerce service for groceries and everyday necessities. Its product selection and availability depend on your location and current service conditions.
Final tip from someone living in Korea
You do not need to use delivery to enjoy Korea. But I recommend learning how it works.
I use delivery quite often myself, and the convenience is one of the things I personally appreciate about everyday life in Korea.
After a long day of sightseeing, being able to return to your hotel, rest and order dinner can be incredibly convenient. And if you suddenly want drinks, Korean snacks, fruit or basic groceries, Bmart may save you another trip outside.
If your accommodation allows delivery and one of the available payment methods works for you, try it at least once during your trip. You might start by simply ordering dinner, but at the same time you will be experiencing a small part of everyday life in Korea — a delivery culture built around convenience.
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