Solo Dining Around the World: The New Normal
The rise of solo diners, or "honbap-jok," in South Korea is no longer considered an unusual phenomenon. This shift is largely attributed to several factors, including the increase in single-person households, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, changing social values, and the proliferation of digital devices. While there are still concerns about the trend of dining alone, there has been a noticeable shift in media coverage toward highlighting its positive aspects. This movement isn’t confined to South Korea; similar trends can be observed in countries like Japan, the United States, China, and France. Today, I’ll take a closer look at how this cultural shift has unfolded in nations with specific terms for solo dining, much like we see here in Korea.
- solo diner - 혼밥족
- phenomenon - 현상
- single-person household - 1인 가구
- proliferation - 확산
- confined to - ~에 국한되다
- cultural shift - 문화적 변화
- unfold - 전개되다
1. South Korea: 혼밥족 (Honbap-jok)
In Korea, "혼밥족" (honbap-jok) directly translates to “people who eat alone.” This term became widespread in the late 2000s, coinciding with the rapid increase of single-person households. By 2022, 34.5% of households in Korea were single-person, representing about 7.5 million homes. The largest demographic of solo diners consists of those under 29 years old (19.2%), followed by seniors over 70 (18.6%) and those in their 30s (17.3%).
Shift in Perspective
Solo dining was once considered awkward or lonely, but that perception has shifted dramatically. For younger generations, eating alone is seen as an opportunity to save time and enjoy a meal at their own pace. Seniors, on the other hand, often find themselves dining solo due to social isolation, as their families or friends may no longer be around.
Market Changes
South Korea has embraced the honbap lifestyle, with numerous restaurants catering specifically to solo diners. Convenience stores and delivery apps have also adapted to this trend, offering solo meals and one-person packages.
🍲 Solo-friendly restaurants: Many restaurants, like Baetjang in Seoul, provide personal BBQ grills for individual diners, making solo dining both comfortable and enjoyable.
🍱 Convenience store meals: Convenience stores have seen a 15% increase in ready-made meal sales in 2023, highlighting the popularity of quick, solo meals.
🍛 Home meal replacements (HMR): The HMR market has exploded, providing single-person households and busy professionals with convenient, healthy meal options.
🎓 University dining: Several universities have added partitioned seating in cafeterias, allowing students to eat alone in peace.
📱 Delivery services: Apps like Baedal Minjok now offer single-serving delivery, making solo dining at home easy and affordable.
- perspective - 시각, 관점
- social isolation - 사회적 고립
- ready-made meal - 즉석식품
- home meal replacement (HMR) - 가정간편식 (HMR)
2. Japan: ひとり飯 (Hitorimeshi)
Japan was one of the first countries in Asia to fully embrace solo dining. The term "ひとり飯" (Hitorimeshi), meaning "solo meal," became popular in the late 1990s. Solo dining is now an integral part of Japanese culture, especially with the rise of Ichiran Ramen, where diners enjoy their meal in individual booths.
Shift in Perspective
Solo dining in Japan is no longer seen as strange or lonely. Instead, it is viewed as a peaceful and introspective experience. Shows like "The Solitary Gourmet" have further normalized and even romanticized the act of eating alone, showing how one can enjoy food without social interaction.
Market Changes
Many restaurants in Japan now cater to solo diners by creating spaces and menus specifically designed for one person.
🍜 "The Solitary Gourmet" effect: This popular Japanese show has inspired a culture where dining alone is seen as a time for personal enjoyment, rather than loneliness.
🥘 Solo shabu-shabu: Some restaurants, like one in Ginza, Tokyo, offer single-serving shabu-shabu pots, allowing solo diners to enjoy the full experience without needing company.
🍴 Family restaurants: Chain restaurants like Denny's Japan have expanded their counter seating options, catering to solo diners by offering small, solo-friendly menus.
🎓 University dining: Schools like Kyoto University and Kobe University have added partitioned seating in their dining halls to make solo dining more comfortable for students.
- introspective - 내성적인
- normalized - 정상화된
- romanticized - 낭만화된
- solitary - 고독한
- gourmet - 미식가, 미식
3. United States: Solo Dining
In the U.S., solo dining became more mainstream in the early 2010s, driven by changing demographics and lifestyle choices. According to OpenTable, solo dining reservations have increased by 29% in the last two years. About 60% of Americans report having dined alone in the past year.
Shift in Perspective
In America, eating alone is seen as a practical and efficient choice. For many, it’s a form of self-care or a chance to take a break from social interaction. Dining alone is no longer stigmatized but rather celebrated as a way to enjoy one’s own company.
Market Changes
Restaurants and delivery services have adapted to the growing demand for solo dining by offering more individual seating and creating menus specifically designed for one.
🍜 Solo-friendly restaurants: Restaurants like Momofuku Noodle Bar in New York City offer counter seating, providing a comfortable and inviting space for solo diners.
🍽 Special solo menus: At Avant Garden in NYC, solo diners can enjoy a four-course meal curated just for them, turning solo dining into a special experience.
🍱 Convenience store meals: Convenience stores like 7-Eleven have expanded their selection of ready-to-eat meals, perfect for solo diners on the go.
🎓 University dining: Schools like NYU and UCLA have also added partitioned seating, making solo dining more comfortable for students.
📱 Delivery services: Apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats have introduced single-serving delivery, making it easy for solo diners to order just the right amount of food.
- mainstream - 주류
- demographics - 인구 통계
- self-care - 자기 돌봄
- stigmatized - 낙인찍힌
- curated - 세심하게 준비된
- on the go - 바쁜 일상 속에서, 이동 중에
4. China: 单食族 (Danshizu)
In China, solo diners are referred to as "单食族" (Danshizu), a term that became popular in the early 2010s as the country saw a surge in one-person households, especially in cities like Shanghai and Beijing.
Shift in Perspective
Traditionally, meals in China were considered a family affair, but today, more and more people—especially young professionals—are opting for solo dining as a practical and convenient choice.
Market Changes
Chinese restaurants and convenience stores have responded to the growing demand for solo meals by offering more single-portion options and expanding their services for individual diners.
🍲 Solo hotpot: Restaurants now offer one-person hotpots and set menus, making it easy for solo diners to enjoy this communal dish.
🍱 Convenience store meals: The market for single-portion meals is booming, offering solo diners quick, affordable options.
🍽 Small tables in food courts: Food courts in Shanghai and Beijing now have small tables specifically designed for solo diners.
🎓 University dining: Universities have adapted by adding partitioned seating to their dining halls, making solo dining more accessible for students.
📱 Delivery services: Meituan and Ele.me, China’s top delivery apps, now offer single-portion delivery options tailored to solo diners.
- surge - 급증
- family affair - 가족 행사
- opting for - 선택하는
- single-portion - 1인분
- communal dish - 공동 식사
- affordable options - 저렴한 선택지
- tailored - 맞춰진
5. France: Repas en Solo
France, a country known for its love of family meals, has also seen an increase in solo dining. The term "Repas en Solo" (solo meal) has become more common as solo dining becomes more accepted, even in high-end restaurants.
Shift in Perspective
In France, eating alone is not seen as lonely but rather as an opportunity for self-reflection and a chance to savor food at one’s own pace. Solo diners are often seen enjoying a quiet meal, focusing on the experience rather than social interaction.
Market Changes
French restaurants have adapted by creating special seating arrangements and offering solo-friendly menus.
🍽 Special seating: At La Table du Lac in Annecy, solo diners are given tables with lake views, complete with a small vase of flowers for a special touch.
🥂 Single-serving tasting menus: Le Pavillon des Boulevards in Bordeaux offers solo diners a single-serving tasting menu, providing the same luxurious experience as a multi-person meal.
🍷 Small tables: Restaurants like Le Chalet du Lac in Paris have added small tables specifically designed for solo diners, giving them a peaceful and scenic dining experience.
🍴 Seafood menus for one: L’Avant Comptoir de la Mer in Paris has developed a special seafood menu for solo diners, paired with wines to enhance the solo dining experience.
- savor - 음미하다
- at one’s own pace - 자신만의 속도로
- seating arrangement - 좌석 배치
- luxurious experience - 호화로운 경험
- paired with - ~와 함께 제공되는
Solo Dining: A New Way of Life
Countries around the world are adapting to the rise of solo dining by creating environments where individuals can comfortably eat alone, whether through restaurants, ready-to-eat meal options, or improved delivery systems. The inconveniences once associated with dining alone—like going to a restaurant by yourself, picking out ingredients for a solo meal amid high prices, or ordering delivery for one—are being addressed through significant changes.
While people choose to eat alone for various reasons, globally, solo dining is no longer viewed negatively. It has evolved into a way to enjoy personal time, and this cultural shift is expected to continue growing. Eating alone is no longer seen as a sign of loneliness but rather as an act of self-care and a reflection of an efficient lifestyle. It’s a practice that's being embraced in many different ways.
Whether you're dining with others or by yourself, I hope you enjoy a healthy and comfortable meal.
- practicality - 실용성
- flexibility - 유연성
- coordinate - 조율하다
- tolerance - 관용, 허용
- inconvenience - 불편함
- cultural shift - 문화적 변화
- efficient lifestyle - 효율적인 생활 방식
- reflection - 반영
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