Booking Restaurants in Korea: CATCHTABLE and NAVER

Questions like these come up in international travel communities: “Can I book without a Korean phone number?” and “What about NAVER, rather than CATCHTABLE?”

It is frustrating to save a list of restaurants, then get stuck at the booking screen. Here is a useful way to approach the two services.

• CATCHTABLE for well-known restaurants or a special meal. It is useful for finding and booking sought-after restaurants, higher-priced tasting menus and fine dining.
• NAVER for a broader neighbourhood search. Find everyday restaurants and cafés on the map, then continue to a reservation if the business offers one.

The platforms are not divided neatly by price. Choose a starting point based on whether you want a casual meal or a meal planned around a particular time.

CATCHTABLE Global lets you sign up with Google, Apple or email without a Korean phone number. Use the global service, which is separate from the Korean-language service.

Search results separate Location from Restaurant. Tap an area to browse the neighbourhood, or a restaurant name if you already know where you want to eat.

1. Enter the restaurant name in the search box.
2. Open its page and tap your preferred date.
3. Choose the number of guests under Party Size, then a dining time below.

This is the actual selection screen opened from a date on SeoulDining’s page (서울다이닝). Dates and times are examples captured on the day; we did not make a reservation.

Depending on the restaurant, the next stages may cover seating, menus or a deposit. You are finished only when the booking details show a confirmed reservation. Tapping a date alone does not secure a table.

Some restaurants found through NAVER Maps offer an English booking page. This example is the actual English page for On the Border, Gwanghwamun D Tower Branch (온더보더 광화문D타워점). Here are the restaurant and guest/date selection screens, rather than a login screen.

Tap Book on the restaurant page to open the next screen.

1. Choose your party size under Please select the number of people.
2. Choose a date in the calendar under Please select a date and time, then an available time.
3. Tap Next to continue. Follow any subsequent prompts for login, verification or booking details.

2–8 people is the condition for this particular booking product, not a rule for all restaurants. Dates and availability reflect the capture date; we did not submit a booking.

There is a route for visitors without a Korean phone number. NAVER introduced foreign-passport verification in June 2026. In supported booking/order services, you photograph your passport and complete a face check.

You need your original, unexpired passport issued outside South Korea. Your NAVER account name and date of birth must match the passport, and the passport must not already have been verified for another ID. The restaurant must allow foreign-visitor bookings. Services requiring adult verification, such as alcohol orders, have restrictions.

• Reserve — book a time: choose an available date and time for your meal.
• Join Remote Waitlist — join the queue before arriving: receive a place in line before reaching the restaurant. This does not reserve a particular entry time.
• On-site waitlisting — join after arriving: register using the restaurant’s tablet or other on-site instructions.

Stay nearby after joining a waitlist. CATCHTABLE Global provides updates by email and in the app. Keep an internet connection and follow your position. Five parties ahead does not mean you will be seated in five minutes. The time allowed to return after being called varies by restaurant.

Some services accept overseas-issued cards for deposits, including CATCHTABLE Global and NAVER businesses that enable foreign-visitor bookings. The conditions are not identical for every restaurant or card.

• What you pay now: a deposit or advance payment for the meal?
• What happens after dining: deducted from the bill or refunded separately?
• The cancellation deadline: when do fees or no-show conditions apply?

Do not assume every deposit is fully refundable at any time. Read these three points on the payment screen, and double-check the date and branch name.

Not every restaurant takes reservations. If somewhere catches your eye while exploring, try these questions.

• 예약 없이 식사할 수 있나요? — Can I eat here without a reservation?
• 지금 현장 대기를 등록할 수 있나요? — Can I join the on-site waitlist now?
• 한국 전화번호가 없는데, 다른 등록 방법이 있나요? — I don’t have a Korean phone number. Is there another way to register?

Book the one restaurant you really want to try, then leave another meal open to discovery. Dining alone? Our solo dining guide explains order sizes for barbecue, stews and other dishes.