A CATCHTABLE reservation deposit does not automatically mean part of dinner is already paid. If your restaurant returns the deposit separately, you may still need to pay the full meal bill on-site. Before booking, check whether the payment is a reservation deposit or an advance menu payment, then confirm how it will be settled after your visit.
There is an official example of this distinction: CATCHTABLE’s Yeouido guide describes Zest’s deposit as returned upon a visit. Use that as an example of the payment pattern; check your own reservation’s current conditions for the actual arrangement.
What did you pay for?
CATCHTABLE’s terms, Article 12, distinguish a reservation deposit from an advance menu payment, which pays all or part of the menu price in advance. The terms put payment arrangements and cancellation fees under the restaurant’s rules. The version checked October 23, 2026 took effect October 20, 2026.
Use this reading checklist before confirming a booking:
| Wording or detail | What to establish |
|---|---|
| Reservation deposit | Will it be returned separately or credited to the bill? |
| Advance menu payment | Which course, guests and amount have already been paid for? |
| Amount per guest | What is the total for your whole party? |
| Remaining balance | What will you pay at the restaurant, including anything ordered later? |
A payment receipt answers “what was charged?” Keep the reservation confirmation as well so you can match the restaurant, branch, date, time and number of guests.
The same ₩120,000 meal can produce different charges
Hypothetical examples, not restaurant prices: suppose the meal total is ₩120,000 and you previously paid a ₩40,000 deposit. Assume the booking qualifies for its full deposit return or credit, with no cancellation penalty, extra orders or currency-conversion effects.
| Payment record | Deposit returned separately | Deposit credited to the bill |
|---|---|---|
| Paid when booking | ₩40,000 | ₩40,000 |
| Paid at the restaurant | ₩120,000 | ₩80,000 |
| Separate deposit refund | −₩40,000 | ₩0 |
| Final total after settlement | ₩120,000 | ₩120,000 |
In the first example, ₩160,000 has been charged before the ₩40,000 refund arrives. That is different from a final meal cost of ₩160,000. Budget for the temporary overlap if your reservation uses separate repayment; do not subtract an expected refund from your spending record until you can verify it.
In the second example, check that the receipt actually shows the ₩40,000 credit. A smaller final payment and a separate full refund would count the same deposit twice.
For menu prepayment, write down the prepaid items and ask what remains payable. A prepaid course does not tell you whether drinks or later additions are included.
Before you leave: ask one precise question
Show the booking payment and ask:
Is this deposit included in today’s bill, or will it be refunded separately? If separately, has the refund been processed?
Then keep three records together:
- Booking payment: the amount, payment date and reservation reference.
- Meal receipt: the final total and any deposit or prepayment credit.
- Refund record: the amount and processing confirmation, followed by the matching entry on your payment account.
If the receipt and explanation disagree, ask the restaurant to reconcile them while the booking and bill are available. For the rest of the meal, save our Korean restaurant phrases for ordering and paying.
A refund confirmation and money back are separate checks
Article 12 says a deposit refund uses the original payment method and describes timing as “at least three to ten days,” depending on that method. It does not promise a same-day return or a firm ten-day maximum. CATCHTABLE terms.
If the return is unclear, start with the restaurant or support channel attached to the reservation. Give the booking reference, visit date, deposit amount and meal receipt; ask whether the deposit was credited, returned, retained under a policy, or still awaiting action. Once a refund is confirmed as processed, ask your payment provider about a missing account entry using that confirmation.
For your own reconciliation, use the original KRW amounts first. If your statement is in another currency and the figures differ, check the conversion and fees shown by your provider rather than assuming the restaurant kept the difference.
Cancellation has its own deadline
Returning a deposit after an attended meal and refunding a cancelled reservation are different situations. Save the cancellation cutoff and applicable time zone before paying, especially when you are planning from overseas.
For a specific example, EVETT’s official reservation page, checked October 23, 2026, says cancellation requires at least 48 hours’ notice for a deposit refund; later cancellations and no-shows are excluded. That is EVETT’s policy, not a deadline for every CATCHTABLE restaurant. Read the conditions attached to your own date and booking.
If your party size changes, ask how the booking and payment will be adjusted before cancelling and trying again. Do not assume your existing table will remain available to rebook.
Booking from abroad
VISITKOREA’s CATCHTABLE guide, updated June 23, 2026 and checked October 23, explains that the international service supports reservation deposits paid with overseas-issued cards and registration without a Korean phone number. This does not establish your individual refund terms.
Choosing a connection for booking apps and maps? Our Korea SIM and eSIM guide compares the phone-plan options and explains what to check about a local number.
For the next planning step, our Korean restaurant etiquette and reservation guide explains advance reservations, remote queues and on-site waiting. Keep your payment check tied to the exact booking you make.