"You Can't Settle for Less Just Because You're Eating Alone" Dining Alone for 100,000 Won a Meal... Solo Buffet Reservations Soar by 216%

67.7% of Solo Dining Reservations Are at Restaurants Priced Above 50,000 Won per Person

Solo Dining Spreads Beyond Those in Their 20s and 30s, with the Highest Growth Rate Among People in Their 50s

There is a growing number of people dining alone who are willing to pay more than 50,000 won per meal. This year, two out of every three solo dining reservations were made at restaurants where the price per person was at least 50,000 won, and about 30% were at establishments charging over 100,000 won per meal. Solo buffet reservations have more than tripled in the past year.

According to Catch Table, a restaurant reservation application, an analysis of domestic and global app usage data from January to July showed that one-person reservation counts increased by 38.1% compared to the same period last year, as announced on September 14. The number of individual waitlist entries—people queuing alone at restaurants—increased by 48.5%. In January, searches for 'solo dining' on the app surged by 139.1% from the same month the previous year, recording the highest increase rate to date.

Walkerhill 'The Buffet'.

In particular, more people are choosing to dine alone at high-end restaurants. From January to July this year, 67.7% of all solo dining reservations were at restaurants where the price per person exceeded 50,000 won. Around 30% were made at restaurants costing over 100,000 won per person.

Looking at the growth rate by price bracket, solo reservations at restaurants charging over 200,000 won per person rose by 38.7% compared to the previous year. Reservations at restaurants costing 50,000 won to less than 100,000 won grew by 34%, while those in the 100,000 won to less than 200,000 won range increased by 26.9%. This suggests that instead of focusing on saving costs, more consumers are opting for food and restaurants that suit their preferences when dining alone.

The variety of restaurants that people visit alone has also expanded. As of July, sushi omakase accounted for the highest proportion of solo reservations, but reservations for buffets by single diners soared by 216% compared to the same month a year prior. Japanese cuisine such as donkatsu and noodle restaurants increased by 73%, and Italian restaurants by 46%. Demand for solo dining, which was previously concentrated on omakase, is now spreading to hotel buffets and casual restaurants.

The age groups dining alone the most are those in their 20s and 30s. In July, people in their 20s accounted for 42.9% of all solo dining reservations, and those in their 30s for 34.9%, making up a combined 77.8%. Among solo diners in their 20s, 50.3% were men and 49.7% were women. For those in their 30s, it was 51.4% men and 48.6% women, showing a similar pattern. The solo dining trend is also spreading to older age groups. Year-over-year growth in one-person reservation users was highest in the 50s at 54%, surpassing the 51% growth seen in the 20s age group. While the 20s and 30s have the highest usage, this means the culture of dining alone is expanding across all generations.

The number of restaurants accepting solo guests is also increasing. The number of establishments where solo dining reservations occurred rose by 57.7% in January and 35.5% in July, both compared to the same months in the previous year. In Seongsu-dong, the number of places allowing solo reservations doubled in July this year from January last year. By region, Cheongdam recorded the most active solo reservations. In Hannam and Yeouido, solo reservations were mainly at high-end sushi omakase, fine dining, and bars. In Seongsu and Yongsan, establishments ranging from upscale restaurants to everyday eateries have seen an even increase in solo dining options.

A Catch Table official said, "Solo dining is no longer a meal strategy limited to specific situations," adding, "There are now more choices across menus, price ranges, and times of use."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.