TL;DR — 3 things to know before ordering delivery
- Coupang Eats requires Korean phone number + ARC to sign up — on BOTH iOS and Android. The "iOS-only" claim is outdated misinformation. The real blocker is account creation, which demands identity verification via ARC (Alien Registration Card). Short-term tourists don't have ARC.
- Without ARC: use Baemin guest order (비회원 주문). Baemin allows ordering without an account, Korean phone, or ARC. Payment with foreign credit card via the '해외 신용카드' (Foreign Credit Card) option.
- With ARC: Coupang Eats works on both iOS and Android. Long-term residents (91+ days in Korea) who have their ARC number can sign up fully and use all Coupang Eats features.
Common Misinformation — Corrected
"Coupang Eats doesn't work on Android / is iOS-only"
Coupang Eats is available on both iOS and Android. This was circulating as fact in 2022-2023 based on an earlier version of the app. In 2026, both platforms are fully supported. The real issue is account creation requiring ARC — which affects iOS and Android users equally.
⚠️ ARC Requirement — What It Means for Tourists
Coupang Eats signup requires:
1. Korean phone number — to receive an SMS verification code (a Korean 010 number, not a data-only eSIM)
2. ARC number — the 13-digit number on your Alien Registration Card (issued to foreigners staying 91+ days)
Short-term tourists do not have ARC. Even if you have a Korean 010 number from an airport SIM, you'll hit a wall at the ARC verification step. This is intentional — Coupang uses stricter identity verification than Baemin.
Solution: use Baemin instead. Baemin allows guest orders without any identity document.
1. Korean phone number — to receive an SMS verification code (a Korean 010 number, not a data-only eSIM)
2. ARC number — the 13-digit number on your Alien Registration Card (issued to foreigners staying 91+ days)
Short-term tourists do not have ARC. Even if you have a Korean 010 number from an airport SIM, you'll hit a wall at the ARC verification step. This is intentional — Coupang uses stricter identity verification than Baemin.
Solution: use Baemin instead. Baemin allows guest orders without any identity document.
Which App Can You Use — Decision Guide
Your situation determines which app is available to you.
Short-term tourist — No ARC
Coupang Eats: Not accessible. Cannot complete account signup without ARC number. The app installs fine on both iOS and Android, but the signup process fails at identity verification.
Baemin: Fully accessible via guest order. No account, phone number, or ARC needed. Order as a guest with a foreign credit card.
Use Baemin Guest Order
Baemin: Fully accessible via guest order. No account, phone number, or ARC needed. Order as a guest with a foreign credit card.
Long-term resident — Has ARC + Korean phone number
Coupang Eats: Fully accessible on both iOS and Android. Sign up with Korean phone (SMS verification) + ARC number (identity verification). Foreign credit cards are supported — use the '해외 신용카드' option. If foreign card fails, try Kakao Pay integration or a Wise card.
Baemin: Also fully accessible. Can create a full account or use guest order.
Both Apps Available
Baemin: Also fully accessible. Can create a full account or use guest order.
Baemin Guest Order — Step by Step
The fastest path to food delivery for tourists. No account required.
1
Download Baemin (배달의민족)
Search "Baemin" on App Store or Google Play. The icon is a light blue cartoon face with a chef hat. Download and open.
2
Find the Guest Order option
On the opening screen, look below the main login options for "비회원 주문" (Non-member Order / Guest Order). Tap it. You'll be taken directly to the address entry screen without any account creation.
3
Enter your delivery address
Type your hotel address or accommodation. Korean addresses work better than English in the search bar. Alternatively, use the map pin option to drag a pin to your location. Confirm the address details.
4
Browse restaurants and add to cart
Baemin shows available restaurants near your address. Filter by category (치킨 = fried chicken, 분식 = Korean snacks, 중식 = Chinese, 피자 = pizza, etc.). Many menus have photos. Tap items to add them to your cart.
5
Select Foreign Credit Card at checkout
At checkout, look for "해외 신용카드" (Foreign Credit Card) in the payment options. This is a dedicated pathway for non-Korean cards. Enter your Visa or Mastercard details. Baemin has better foreign card compatibility than Coupang Eats or Kakao T.
6
Confirm and track your order
After payment, Baemin shows a live map tracking your order. Typical delivery times in Seoul: 20–40 minutes. The app will show when the rider is nearby. Leave any special delivery notes in the order box.
"Spent an hour trying to set up Coupang Eats — kept hitting a wall asking for my 'alien registration number'. Then I tried Baemin, clicked 비회원 주문 (the non-member option), entered my hotel address, and had fried chicken delivered in 30 minutes. Wish I'd known this from the start."
r/koreatravel · score 521 · January 2026
Coupang Eats vs Baemin — Full Comparison
Side-by-side for foreign visitors. As of June 2026.
| Feature | Coupang Eats | Baemin |
|---|---|---|
| Guest order (no account) | ✗ Not available | ✓ Yes — 비회원 주문 |
| ARC required for signup | Yes — blocks tourists | No |
| Korean phone needed | Yes (for SMS verification) | No (guest order) |
| Foreign card support | Unstable — frequent errors | ✓ '해외 신용카드' option |
| iOS availability | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Android availability | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| English in app | Partial (some menus) | Partial (device language-based) |
| Restaurant selection | Slightly larger | Large — nationwide coverage |
| Recommended for tourists | ✗ ARC holders only | ✓ All foreigners |
| Recommended for residents (ARC) | ✓ Excellent | ✓ Excellent |
"I couldn't get past the account creation screen. Korean phone + ARC both needed. Just used Baemin."
r/koreatravel · March 2026
"As an expat with ARC, Coupang Eats is actually better than Baemin. More reliable delivery times."
r/korea expat · February 2026
Coupang Eats Setup — For ARC Holders
If you have an ARC and Korean phone number, here's how to set up Coupang Eats.
1
Download Coupang Eats (쿠팡이츠)
Search "Coupang Eats" or "쿠팡이츠" on App Store or Google Play. Available on both platforms. Download and open.
2
Enter your Korean phone number for SMS verification
You need a Korean 010 number — a voice+data SIM from KT, SKT, or LG U+, not a data-only eSIM. Enter the number and receive the 6-digit SMS code. Data-only eSIMs cannot receive this code.
3
Complete identity verification with ARC number
Coupang requires 본인인증 (real-name identity verification). Enter your ARC number — the 13-digit number printed on the front of your Alien Registration Card. This is the step that blocks tourists without ARC.
4
Add a payment method
Select "해외 신용카드" (Foreign Credit Card) at the payment screen. Enter your Visa or Mastercard. If errors occur, try a Wise card or connect Kakao Pay (if you have a Kakao account). Amex and Discover have lower success rates than Visa/Mastercard.
5
Set your default address and start ordering
Add your home or work address in Korean. Coupang Eats has a larger restaurant selection than Baemin in many areas, and the app is generally faster. You can now order normally like any Korean resident.
Foreign card payment errors on Coupang Eats? Try linking Kakao Pay if you have a Kakao account. Some users report that routing payment through Kakao Pay (even with a foreign-funded account) resolves the direct card input errors. Alternatively, a Wise card with KRW balance has high success rates on Korean payment gateways.
Common Failure Points
FAIL "Coupang Eats asks for 외국인 등록 번호 and I don't have one"
This is the ARC verification step — you need an ARC to proceed. Short-term tourists don't have one. Switch to Baemin and use the Guest Order (비회원 주문) option. If you're planning a long stay in Korea (3+ months), register for ARC at your local immigration office (출입국관리사무소) after arriving.
FAIL "I can't find the guest order option on Baemin"
It may be on a different screen depending on app version. On the welcome/login screen, scroll down below the main sign-in buttons — look for gray text reading "비회원으로 주문하기" (Order as non-member). If not visible, try updating the app to the latest version. The option is always present but can be visually subtle.
FAIL "My foreign card keeps failing on Baemin"
Make sure you're using the "해외 신용카드" (Foreign Credit Card) option, not the standard card entry. If that fails: (1) try a different card (Visa/Mastercard preferred over Amex). (2) try a Wise or Revolut card. (3) ask your hotel to order on your behalf — front desk staff at most hotels will happily place orders with their account and you pay them the cash.
FAIL "Baemin shows no restaurants near my address"
Address pin may be off, or delivery is genuinely limited in your area. Try zooming into the map and manually dragging the pin to your precise building. If still no results, you may be in a low-density area where delivery radius is limited — restaurants that deliver to rural areas, small towns, or residential areas far from commercial zones are fewer. In this case, use GS25, CU, or emart24 convenience stores for ready-to-eat meals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Foreigners with an ARC (Alien Registration Card) and a Korean phone number can use Coupang Eats on both iOS and Android. Short-term tourists without ARC cannot create an account — the signup requires both Korean SMS verification and an ARC number. The alternative for tourists is Baemin, which allows guest ordering (비회원 주문) without any account, Korean phone, or ARC.
No — the iOS-only claim is outdated. Coupang Eats has been available on Android for several years. The real barrier is account creation requiring ARC verification, which affects iOS and Android users equally. If you have ARC and a Korean phone number, Coupang Eats works on both platforms without issue.
ARC (Alien Registration Card) is the Korean residency ID issued to foreigners staying in Korea for 91+ days. It contains a unique 13-digit registration number. Coupang Eats requires this number for 본인인증 (real-name identity verification) during signup. This is stricter than Baemin, which allows guest ordering without any identity document.
Yes — Baemin is the recommended food delivery app for tourists. It offers guest ordering (비회원 주문) that requires no account, Korean phone number, or ARC. Payment works with foreign credit cards via the '해외 신용카드' (Foreign Credit Card) option at checkout. This makes Baemin accessible to virtually all foreign visitors with a credit card and a delivery address.
First, confirm you're using the '해외 신용카드' (Foreign Credit Card) option — not the general card entry. If it still fails: (1) try a different Visa or Mastercard. (2) try a Wise or Revolut card. (3) ask your hotel reception to place the order on their account and pay them in cash — most Korean hotel staff will do this without hesitation.
Having a Korean 010 number helps with the SMS verification step of Coupang Eats signup. But Coupang also requires an ARC number for identity verification. Without the ARC number, signup fails even if you have a Korean phone number. Use Baemin instead — it has no such requirement for guest orders.