TL;DR — 3 things to know about CatchTable Global
- Use CatchTable Global — not the regular Catchtable app. The regular Korean Catchtable requires a Korean phone number. CatchTable Global (global.catchtable.co.kr) works with Google/Apple login and foreign cards. Download the right one.
- Deposits are required — and now so are no-show penalties. Most bookings require ₩30,000–₩50,000 per person deposit paid with your foreign card. Since late 2025, Korean law allows restaurants to charge up to 40% of the estimated bill for no-shows. Read the cancellation policy before booking.
- For Michelin and omakase, book weeks in advance. CatchTable Global lists Seoul's most in-demand restaurants. Popular slots fill up 2–4 weeks ahead. The platform also shows real-time availability, so check regularly for cancellations.
⚠️ New No-Show Penalty — Up to 40%
Korean law changed in late 2025. Restaurants can now legally charge up to 40% of the estimated total bill for no-shows or last-minute cancellations.
Example: 4-person omakase at ₩150,000/person = ₩600,000 total. No-show penalty = up to ₩240,000 charged to your deposit card.
The penalty and cancellation deadline are shown before you confirm. Check them. Cancel within the window if your plans change.
Example: 4-person omakase at ₩150,000/person = ₩600,000 total. No-show penalty = up to ₩240,000 charged to your deposit card.
The penalty and cancellation deadline are shown before you confirm. Check them. Cancel within the window if your plans change.
Catchtable Korean vs Global — Key Differences
Make sure you're on the right platform — they look similar but have very different requirements.
| Feature | Catchtable (Korean) | Catchtable Global |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-up | Korean phone number required | Google or Apple account |
| Payment | Korean credit/debit card | Foreign Visa/Mastercard supported |
| Language | Korean only | English |
| Number of restaurants | More (full Korean database) | 2,000+ (curated for international) |
| URL / App | catchtable.co.kr | global.catchtable.co.kr |
| For foreign visitors | Not accessible | Designed for foreigners |
Step-by-Step: Making a Reservation
From app download to restaurant entry — complete walkthrough.
1
Download CatchTable Global (not regular Catchtable)
Search "Catchtable Global" on the App Store or Google Play. The icon shows a table and fork in a more internationally styled design. Alternatively, use the web at global.catchtable.co.kr on any browser.
2
Sign up with Google or Apple
Tap "Sign up" → choose Google or Apple. Enter your name. Done in 90 seconds. No Korean phone number, no ARC, no Korean address required.
3
Search restaurants by area or cuisine
Filter by Seoul neighborhood (Gangnam, Itaewon, Mapo, Jongno), cuisine type, or price range. For Michelin-starred restaurants, use the "Michelin" filter. For omakase, search "omakase" — around 80 venues listed.
4
Read the cancellation policy before confirming
Each restaurant shows its cancellation deadline and no-show penalty before you pay the deposit. This step is critical — understand exactly when you need to cancel to get your deposit back and what happens if you miss the deadline.
5
Pay the deposit with foreign card
Most venues require ₩30,000–₩50,000 per person. Enter your Visa or Mastercard. Wise cards work reliably. The deposit is typically refunded within 3–5 business days after your successful visit, or kept/used as penalty for no-show/late cancellation.
6
Day-of: confirm and show booking QR
The app sends a reminder before your reservation. Arrive on time — Korean fine dining restaurants are strict about timing. Show the booking QR code at the entrance. Bring your passport as ID backup in case the host needs to verify the name.
"Booked a Michelin one-star on CatchTable Global with my Gmail account and UK Mastercard. 5 minutes total. The deposit was ₩40,000 per person, got it back on my card statement 4 days after the meal. Incredibly easy compared to trying to book directly in Korean."
r/koreatravel · score 278 · May 2026
Common Issues — Fixes
FAIL "The restaurant I want isn't on CatchTable Global"
CatchTable Global has 2,000+ listings but not every Korean restaurant. For restaurants not listed: (1) Try Naver Reservations via Naver Maps — some restaurants list there with walk-in slots. (2) Ask your hotel concierge to call on your behalf (works well for high-end hotels). (3) Visit the restaurant in person 30–60 minutes before opening to join the queue.
FAIL "Every time slot shows as full"
For very popular restaurants, slots fill weeks in advance. Solutions: (1) Check at midnight Korea time — cancellations often appear then. (2) Use the waitlist feature in the app. (3) If you're flexible, look for weekday lunch slots which have lower demand than weekend dinner. (4) Consider alternative restaurants in the same style — a nearby omakase with similar quality may have availability.
FAIL "I missed the cancellation window and was charged the penalty"
The charge is valid under Korean law from late 2025. Contact CatchTable Global support if there was an exceptional circumstance (hospitalization, emergency). For force majeure cases (typhoon, government emergency), Korean consumer protection law may allow exception — contact the platform directly with documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
CatchTable Global (global.catchtable.co.kr) launched in late 2022 specifically for foreign visitors, with expanded features through 2023. Unlike the Korean app which requires a Korean phone number and Korean card, the Global version accepts Google/Apple login and foreign Visa/Mastercard. It lists 2,000+ restaurants including Michelin-starred venues and omakase counters.
No. CatchTable Global is specifically designed for foreigners without Korean IDs. Sign up with Google or Apple account. Pay deposits with foreign Visa or Mastercard. No Korean phone number, ARC, or bank account required at any step.
Since late 2025, Korean law allows restaurants to charge up to 40% of the estimated bill for no-shows or late cancellations. On a 4-person omakase at ₩150,000/person, a no-show could result in ₩240,000 charged to your card. Always cancel within the window shown at booking (typically 24–48 hours before).
CatchTable Global focuses on fine dining, omakase, Michelin-starred venues, upscale Korean cuisine (한정식), and popular brunch and dinner restaurants. It covers Seoul, Busan, and some other major cities. Casual chains and fast food are not listed — for those, visit directly or search on Google Maps.
Deposits refund within 3–5 business days if you cancel within the restaurant's cancellation window, or after a successful visit. The deadline is shown clearly before you confirm. If you miss the deadline or no-show, the deposit is forfeited and additional penalty (up to 40%) may be charged. Contact CatchTable Global support for exceptional circumstances.
Tabling app (another Korean platform) now has limited foreign access. Naver Reservations through the Naver app works for some restaurants but requires Korean login. For many foreigners, the easiest alternative to apps is asking your hotel concierge to book — especially for top-tier restaurants where a Korean-speaking caller has an advantage.