School Lunches

Lunch will be provided every day at your school cafeteria except during school vacation periods, Labor Day (May 1st), and discretionary holidays. Korean school lunches are usually very balanced meals which consist of soup, rice and sides. At some schools, the cafeteria staff will serve you but at others, teachers may serve themselves.

It is strongly advised that you eat the school lunch with your co-teachers and other co-workers. Doing so is respectful towards Korean culture and shows your willingness to be part of the team, which is very important to Koreans. If you have any major dietary restrictions, please explain this to your co-workers. Ask them if it would be okay for you to bring your own lunch but still eat with them in the cafeteria - this way you are still part of the group. But also be careful to explain your dietary restriction so as not to cause offense for not eating the provided food.

Having said this, you are in no way obliged to eat lunch with your co-workers. If after some time of eating with them you would prefer to bring and eat your own lunch, then you can do so. In this case, please make an effort to be involved in building relationships with them outside of lunch time.

Paying for Lunch

Some schools will provide you with lunch for free, but most will expect you to pay a monthly fee. Ask your co-teacher about when and into which account the lunch payment should be made. Korean teachers generally have a different pay day from GETs, so you can negotiate your lunch payment to happen around your pay day if you desire. 

Sometimes you will join your co-workers for lunch at a restaurant outside the school. In this circumstance you are not expected to pay, but please remember to say thank you. It is a good idea from time to time for you to bring some snacks for your office to share in order to show your appreciation.

Cafeteria Closings

During school breaks i.e., while you are conducting English camp and/or other vacation programs, you are permitted to leave the school premises during lunch time to get something to eat. If you will be packing your own lunch, be aware that some schools reduce the garbage collection frequency during break. Some offices might agree to have each person bring in rice and banchan to share, btu this practice is becoming rarer. Occasionally, the principal or another school leader might order lunch for everyone and include you in it.