"Loneliness Not for Sale, No Solo Diners"…Jajangmyeon Restaurant Notice Sparks Controversy

Online Uproar Over Notice Refusing Solo Diners

A restaurant notice refusing solo diners with the phrase "Loneliness is not for sale" has sparked controversy online.

On November 10, a user posted a photo of a notice from a Jajangmyeon restaurant on their social media, writing, "I was about to go in, but turned away after seeing this."

A restaurant notice refusing solo diners with the phrase "Loneliness is not for sale." Thread

The notice reads: "If you dine alone: ▲Pay for two servings ▲Eat both servings ▲Call a friend ▲Come back next time with your wife." Below that, it says, "Loneliness is not for sale. Please do not come alone."

The post quickly went viral, surpassing 300,000 views in just one day. Most online users responded critically, saying, "Why is eating alone considered loneliness?" "How can someone think like this these days?" and "There are so many people who eat alone." Others commented, "They're making solo customers out to be lonely people," and "It's unpleasant rather than humorous." Some also pointed out, "Every customer should be valued."

Even in the Era Where 35% of Households Are Single, the 'Two-Serving Rule' Persists

This is not the first time there has been controversy over solo dining. In July, a well-known restaurant in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, faced backlash after a travel YouTuber revealed that, despite ordering two servings while dining alone, the owner told them to "eat quickly and leave," treating them poorly. As the controversy grew, the city of Yeosu issued an official apology, stating, "We are sorry that there were cases of unkindness despite regular hospitality training," and promised to create a manual for serving solo customers and to strengthen hospitality training.

According to Statistics Korea, as of last year, single-person households accounted for 35.5% of all households in the country. Nevertheless, some restaurants still enforce rules such as "minimum order of two servings." Online communities are filled with posts saying, "At samgyeopsal, jjamppong, and stir-fried octopus restaurants, you have to order at least two servings," and "There are so many restrictions even if you want to eat alone." On the other hand, small business owners cite realistic challenges, saying, "Considering cooking efficiency, labor costs, and seat turnover, it's difficult to accommodate solo diners."