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How to throw away leftover food in Korea

남은 음식nameun eumsik

Short answer: Food waste (음식물 쓰레기).

Where it goes

Food waste음식물 쓰레기
  1. Drain soup and water as much as you can.
  2. Rinse very salty food such as kimchi and doenjang in water first.
  3. Take out anything that is not food — bones, shells, toothpicks, plastic.

Food waste goes into your building’s food waste bin, card-reader (RFID) bin or a special food waste bag, depending on where you live.

About this bin

Food waste goes in your building’s food waste bin, a card-reader (RFID) bin, or a special food waste bag — drained, and with no bones, shells or plastic. Read the full guide →

Ask in Korean

Show this to the building manager or a neighbour: 이거 어디에 버려요? — “Where do I throw this away?”

Sources

Last checked October 13, 2026. Rules can differ by district.

Rules in your city

Collection days, times and large-waste booking differ by city and district.

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