What it does

Baemin (배달의민족, literally 'Delivery的民族') is South Korea's dominant food delivery platform, handling millions of orders daily across every city and town. The app lists hundreds of thousands of restaurants — from chain franchises to mom-and-pop shops that only deliver locally — with user reviews, photo menus, and real-time delivery tracking. Beyond restaurant food, Baemin has expanded into convenience-store delivery (B-Mart), grocery shopping, and even packaged-goods delivery. The Baemin Club subscription offers unlimited free delivery for a monthly fee, making it economical for frequent users. The app recently added English, Chinese, and Japanese language support, vastly improving accessibility for foreign residents and travelers staying long-term.

Why travelers need it

After a long day of sightseeing, walking to a restaurant is often the last thing you want to do. Baemin brings the entire neighborhood restaurant scene to your accommodation — whether you are craving jajangmyeon at midnight, a breakfast sandwich at 7 AM, or banchan and rice from the shop two blocks away. The delivery tracking shows the rider's location in real time, so you know exactly when to meet them at the door. For travelers staying in serviced apartments or Airbnb, the B-Mart and grocery features are especially useful for stocking the fridge without navigating a Korean supermarket's language barrier. The English UI update in 2025 made it finally usable without Korean proficiency.

Key features

Korea's largest restaurant network — coverage far exceeds competitors, especially outside Seoul.
Baemin Club subscription (₩9,900/month) provides unlimited free delivery on eligible orders.
Real-time rider tracking with estimated arrival down to the minute.
B-Mart convenience-store delivery within one hour — drinks, snacks, toiletries, instant meals.
Pickup option (Baemin Pickup) for ordering ahead and collecting without a delivery fee.

Pros & cons

Strengths

Unmatched restaurant selection, especially for Korean-specific cuisines (jjigae, gukbap, bunsik).
English language support added in 2025 makes ordering straightforward for non-Korean speakers.
Baemin Club saves money if you order delivery more than 3-4 times per month.

Caveats

Requires a Korean phone number for registration — a barrier for short-term travelers.
Some restaurant menus are Korean-only even within the English UI.
Delivery fees vary by restaurant and distance; Baemin Club doesn't cover every store.

How to install

1Open the Apple App Store or Google Play and search 'Baemin' or '배달의민족'.
2Install the app by Woowa Bros.
3Register using a Korean phone number (required for SMS verification).
4Set your delivery address and browse restaurants nearby — the main feed shows options sorted by distance and rating.

Basic usage

The main feed shows restaurants near your location; filter by cuisine, rating, delivery fee, or minimum order.
Tap a restaurant to browse its menu with photos; add items to your cart and proceed to checkout.
Choose between delivery and pickup at checkout — pickup incurs no delivery fee.
Track your rider's location on the delivery status screen once the order is confirmed.

Tips for foreign travelers

If you cannot get a Korean phone number, ask your hotel or Airbnb host to register on your behalf for the delivery address.
Use the 'Sorted by review count' filter to find reliable restaurants rather than 'Sorted by distance'.
For groceries, set your Baemin delivery time for a specific window — B-Mart often arrives within an hour of ordering.