Spuds with new buds: Why Koreans are meeting strangers for French fries
A new social trend is growing in South Korea: strangers are meeting to eat French fries together. These gatherings are organized through Karrot, a neighborhood-based secondhand marketplace app. People search “french fries” in the community section and join group chats to arrange casual meetups at fast-food restaurants like McDonald’s, Lotteria, or Five Guys.
One writer decided to attend a gathering at a McDonald’s in Daechi-dong, Seoul. When she arrived, she met other participants who were also attending for the first time. Eventually, four people sat together — including a man in his 40s, a woman in her 20s, and a high school senior. They ordered several large fries, poured them into one tray, and shared the food.
Although the participants were strangers of different ages, the conversation flowed easily. They talked about hobbies, movies, and school life. The high school student shared that she was preparing for Korea’s College Scholastic Ability Test. The group stayed for nearly two hours before leaving as the restaurant became crowded.
The writer described the experience as surprisingly pleasant. Even though she felt tired afterward, she said the casual meeting felt comfortable and meaningful. She realized that simple activities, like eating fries together, can help people connect without pressure.
Experts say these gatherings may help reduce loneliness in modern society. According to Professor Lee Eun-hee of Inha University, people may prefer light, temporary meetings because relationships with family or coworkers can sometimes feel stressful. Sharing fries with strangers may be a simple way to form new social connections.
Edited using generative AI tools.
Source: https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2026-02-24/national/socialAffairs/Spuds-with-new-buds-Why-Koreans-are-meeting-strangers-for-french-fries/2526411
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