"Laughing to Death"... Restaurant's 'Mocking Comments' Controversy That Angered Customers

A reply from a store to a customer who left a review on the delivery app 'Baedal Minjok' is causing controversy. Photo by Baedal Minjok app capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A reply from a restaurant on the delivery app Baedal Minjok to a customer who requested to have the English menu items changed to Korean has sparked controversy.

On the 25th, an online community post titled "A Baedal Minjok restaurant mocking customers while doing business" was uploaded.

According to the post, the author, Mr. A, recently ordered delivery food from a restaurant in Seoul and left a review through the delivery app.

In the review, Mr. A wrote, "Both the flat white and brownie were delicious. However, the portions were small and not satisfying for the price. I enjoyed the first piece of the sandwich, but it became greasy after that," adding, "I highly praised the Americano and upgraded the size, but I usually don't like sour beans, and it was sour, so I was disappointed again," along with a two-star rating.

He also suggested that it would be better if the menu items written in English were changed to Korean.

Mr. A wrote, "Owner, please make the menu in Korean," adding, "I have English anxiety, and I was shocked when I saw the side options. I knew some words, but I wondered what this was, so I hesitated to click. I was going to just have a simple brunch, but I gave up while looking."

A reply from a store to a customer who left a review on the delivery app 'Baedal Minjok' is causing controversy. Photo by Baedal Minjok app capture.

After reading the comment posted by the restaurant, Mr. A felt deeply offended.

In the comment, the restaurant stated, "You need a Korean menu! But what can we do? It would be strange if a place selling tteokbokki wrote it as 'ddeokbokki.' The brunch menu is something I used to make in Canada, so writing it in Korean felt awkward and funny, so I left it as is."

They continued, "But it’s so funny," adding, "Should I write it as a plate for breakfast and lunch to be spread on? I think I’ll laugh to death by tomorrow. I recommend reading the menu descriptions and reviews carefully before ordering. You probably won’t reorder anyway, but thank you for your opinion," mocking the customer.

All the food items sold at the restaurant are written in English, such as 'Devil’s Waffle Sandwich' and 'Yellow Peach Burrata Salad.'

However, the menu descriptions were written in Korean. Examples include 'A taste that relieves stress,' 'Dieters, do not click,' 'Tastes better when cooled,' and 'If you’re going to complain about size, drink a latte.'

A reply from a store to a customer who left a review on the delivery app 'Baedal Minjok' is causing controversy. Photo by Baedal Minjok app capture.

The controversy escalated as comments left by the restaurant to other customers were shared.

In response to customer B’s review stating, "The flat white is delicious, but the portion seems small for the price," the restaurant said, "Discussing price adjustments directly is very rude," adding, "I wonder how Baemin turned into something like Danggeun Market. Price negotiation is impossible."

Mr. B wrote, "I was speechless after reading the comment, so I left an additional comment," adding, "Are you treating me like a beggar on Danggeun Market just because you didn’t like the review? The owner is being very rude. The coffee was good, so I left three stars, but I changed it to one."

The restaurant’s rating is currently 4.9 out of 5.

The restaurant did not back down, writing, "This is how we’ve been doing business, and sometimes you have to get your hands dirty cleaning up when sewage splashes," adding, "Don’t compare us to Danggeun Market and say you’ll refund. If you want to embarrass yourself by talking nonsense out of anger, you seem to have plenty of time, so come to the store. I have strong skills."

As controversy spread over the store owner's reply to a customer review on the delivery app 'Baedal Minjok,' the store owner posted an apology. Photo by Baedal Minjok app capture.

As the controversy spread, the restaurant eventually posted an apology.

The restaurant stated, "This is the owner. I only checked after things got big," adding, "The review replies are written by employees taking turns, but even I think it could have been taken offensively. Kindness is the most important, and I apologize for disappointing you."

Netizens criticized the restaurant, saying, "The mocking attitude is disgusting," "If you want to use English that much, do business in Canada," and "What kind of business is that mindset?" Meanwhile, some defended the restaurant, saying, "The customer is being sensitive," and "The operation is the owner’s decision."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.