If your procedure requires overnight hospital stay, you'll experience Korean hospital food. Here's what international patients should know.

Typical Hospital Meals

Breakfast

  • Rice porridge (juk) - Easy to digest
  • Side dishes (banchan)
  • Soup
  • Sometimes toast or bread options

Lunch/Dinner

  • Rice or porridge
  • Main protein dish
  • Soup (often seaweed soup for healing)
  • Multiple vegetable banchan
  • Kimchi (mild versions)

Post-Surgery Dietary Considerations

After Facial Surgery

Soft foods only: rice porridge, tofu, steamed eggs. Avoid anything requiring heavy chewing.

After Body Surgery

Regular diet usually permitted. Focus on protein for healing.

What You Can Request

  • Vegetarian meals
  • Allergy accommodations
  • Western breakfast options (sometimes)
  • Softer consistency foods

Bringing Your Own Food

Clinics typically allow:

  • Snacks from convenience stores
  • Delivery food (check with clinic first)
  • Drinks and supplements

Popular Recovery Foods

Korean patients traditionally eat:

  • Seaweed soup (miyeokguk) - Believed to aid healing
  • Bone broth - For strength and recovery
  • Pumpkin juice - To reduce swelling

Embracing Korean recovery foods can be part of your cultural experience while healing.