Wondering what to snack on in Korean movie theaters? Let’s just say you have far more options than you might think because outside food policies favor the consumer.
Outside Food Policies
Tourists and international residents from countries like the United States, South Africa, Canada, and the United Kingdom are often surprised that you can bring outside food into movie theaters. You heard that right, most major Korean theater chains (CGV, Lotte Cinema, Megabox) allow outside food as long as:
- It doesn’t have a strong smell (e.g., no kimchi or garlic-heavy food).
- It doesn’t make noise (e.g., no crunchy or overly packaged snacks).
- Alcohol is usually not allowed unless it’s sold within the theater.
Recommendations for Packing Snacks
When we go to the movies, each person usually brings their own bag of snacks. We either pack things from home or stop by a convenience store before heading to the theater. Bringing your own snacks is convenient and more affordable than buying food at the theater, but it’s important to be mindful of smell and noise to avoid disturbing other patrons.
Good Snack Choices
Here are movie theater snacks that are easy to eat quietly and unlikely to disturb others:
- Drinks – Bottled water, juice, or tea with a screw cap (avoid cans or crinkly plastic).
- Candy – Soft candies like gummies, chocolate bars (unwrapped beforehand), and hard candy (out of noisy wrappers).
- Pastries – Bread, cookies, and muffins.
- Sandwiches – Simple sandwiches without strong sauces or fillings.
- Ice Cream – Small ice cream cups with spoons (avoid cones, as they can be messy).
What to Avoid
To be respectful of others, avoid bringing movie theater snacks that create strong smells or loud noises:
Smelly Foods
What constitutes “smelly” varies by culture, but it’s best to avoid anything with a strong or lingering odor:
- Fast food (like burgers and fries)
- Kimbap and sushi (due to seaweed and fish smells)
- Foods with strong spices or sauces (like curry or kimchi)
- Smelly Cheese-heavy snacks (blue cheese)
- Garlic, onions, or heavily seasoned meats
Keep in mind, as you read this post, you will learn that many of the snacks offered in Korean theaters may have a strong smell to you. So it may feel unfair that you can’t bring your smelly foods. This is part of moving from one country to another. When you live in different areas you become de-scent-sitized to different smells. Additionally, smells you used to like may become unbearable. For example, Korean food only smells delicious to me now but I feel sick from the smell of Cheese-Its or Doritos.
Here are some tips to help you plan your movie theater snack attack:
Noisy Foods
No one wants to hear you crunching or rustling a bag during a quiet scene:
- Chips and popcorn in loud bags
- Foods wrapped in crinkly plastic
- Canned drinks (the opening sound is loud)
- Hard candy in noisy wrappers
Quiet and Odor-Free Packing Tips
- Pre-open any snacks with noisy wrappers at home.
- Use small containers or soft pouches to reduce noise.
- Keep liquids in bottles with secure caps to avoid spills.
If you’re not sure about the smell, err on the side of caution. It’s better to pack mild, neutral movie theater snacks. Of course, you don’t need to pack snacks. You can simply buy food and drinks at the movie venue. Here is what to expect.
Food Options Available at Theaters
Korean theaters often offer a wider and more diverse range of food than Western countries that cater to Korean tastes. This means you can’t expect the popcorn to taste the same as home, even it if has the same name.
Examples of food items you may find at Korean theaters:
- Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes)
- Fried squid
- Bulgogi burgers
- Sweet and savory popcorn (including flavors like caramel and cheese)
- Specialty drinks like bubble tea, milkshakes, and flavored lattes
- Fried chicken and chips (in some premium theaters)
- Alcohol (in premium theaters)
Movie Theater Food and Policies
For fun, we asked ChatGPT to compare Korea’s food policies and selections with other countries. We enjoyed the table so much we thought we would share it with you. We now have a list of theater snacks to find around the world next time we leave South Korea to go on vacation:
Comparison Table
| Country | Outside Food Policy | Common Snacks | Unique Snacks | Alcohol Available? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | Allowed if not noisy or strong-smelling | Popcorn, tteokbokki, fried squid | Bulgogi burgers, bubble tea, kimchi snacks | ✅ (In premium theaters) |
| United States | 🚫 Not allowed (strict) | Popcorn, nachos, hot dogs | Gourmet popcorn, flatbreads, chicken wings | ✅ (In larger or luxury theaters) |
| Canada | 🚫 Not allowed | Popcorn, nachos, candy | Poutine (in VIP settings) | ✅ (In larger or luxury theaters) |
| South Africa | 🚫 Not allowed | Popcorn, candy, soda | Peri-peri popcorn, boerewors rolls | ✅ (In some theaters) |
| United Kingdom | 🚫❓ Usually not allowed, but loosely enforced | Popcorn, hot dogs, candy | Charcuterie boards, pizzas, cocktails | ✅ (In upscale chains) |
| China | 🚫 Not allowed | Popcorn, soft drinks | Tea eggs, dried squid | ❌ (Generally not available) |
| Vietnam | 🚫 Not allowed | Popcorn, soft drinks | Local snacks like bánh tráng (rice paper) | ❌ (Generally not available |
What this Means for You
During your next movie theater experience in Korea, here is what to consider as you make your snacking plans:
- Comfort Food Allowed: If you want to help manage your homesickness by bringing your own snacks, you can certainly do so within reason.
- Cultural Influence: The variety of snacks reflects local culinary preferences, enhancing the movie-going experience by offering the chance to try something new.
- Premium Experiences: The availability of alcohol and gourmet snacks is often linked to premium or VIP theater options, catering to audiences seeking an upscale experience.
Founded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences.
