Korean Restaurant Refuses Solo Diners Saying It “Doesn’t Sell Loneliness”
Oddity Central reports that a restaurant in Yeosu, South Korea, has sparked controversy after refusing to serve customers who want to dine alone — displaying a sign that reads “We do not sell loneliness.”
The restaurant posted a notice for solo visitors, offering four “options”:
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Pay for two portions
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Eat two portions
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Call a friend
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Come later with your spouse
At the bottom, the sign added:
“We do not sell loneliness. Please do not come alone.”
The Owner’s Explanation
According to the restaurant, the reasoning behind the rule is purely economic. With rising costs for food, electricity and labor, the owners say they prefer to use their tables efficiently. For example, a table with four seats is more profitable if it is used by four customers instead of one.
However, the sign went viral on social media, triggering massive backlash.
Public Reaction and Debate
Many online users criticized the policy, calling it discriminatory — especially in a country where the number of single person households has risen sharply in recent years.
Critics argue that policies like this highlight a traditional and outdated mindset, and fail to reflect modern social realities where eating alone is increasingly common.
