@Aleah: Why didn’t I know Delhi had a HOHO bus? I’ve been to Delhi at least three times so far!.. I have to try that next time. =)

@Ji Sheng: Well, there’s a couple of things. First, if you’re going to stay at a hostel and you feel awkward about dining alone, I’d suggest seeing if anyone is up for getting food.

But largely, I’ve spent more times than I care to remember dining alone and other foreigners do too. You’re a foreign tourist; you’re well accounted for and off the “cultural” hook. Sure, there are times, I order dessert and they give me two spoons when I’m clearly alone and the panchan at restaurants are all mine. More for me and there’s nothing I can do about that.

If you still feel funny or “lame” for being alone, try this- speak loudly to your waiter/waitress in a manner that lets them know you’re a tourist. Open up a phrase book or act like a foreigner. Being Asian, many Koreans assume I’m Korean and judge me according to their standard. But the moment I open my mouth & speak English or I fake bad Korean, those who look at me funny, say… “Aahh..(foreigner)”. I get the green light and they accept that.

Another idea if you feel awkward about being at a restaurant alone: Eat street food or in Korean fast food restaurants (here), coffee houses, western restaurants, department store food courts (here) or a restaurant that’s not crowded. Busan’s Shinsegae near PIFF/Jalgachi has a downstairs food court and the PIFF shopping area is just loaded with fast food/street food joints. I’m pretty sure, being able to read a Korean menu will dictate where you end up dining, so you may be at the above mentioned for a while.

I wouldn’t be nervous about dining alone. It’s not very Korean, but you can’t act Korean if you’re not. Hope it helps and if you discover any new tips, feel free to share!