There are lots of Korean blogs talking about “How to eat cheaply at Outback Steak House.” You may laugh at me, before I went there for the first time, I studied about it for about one hour.
It was worth doing, because as you know it is so expensive to eat there. (especially as their price on the menu doesn’t include VAT.)

Ways to eat efficiently at Outback

1. Go there at lunch time (12-5 pm). They have a good range of lunch time menus, and lunch has more courses included for the price (soup, salad, drinks).

2. Become a member and get a free coupon. Click here to find out how to become a member. Print out the Birthday coupon. (You can get this birthday coupon once a year, but you can use it any time you want.) With this you can get a free appetizer (with one meal minimum purchase). You can choose one amongst Bloomin’ Onion, Coogee Bay Calamari, and Rangeland rib lets.

a) If you choose to have Rangeland rib lets with a free coupon, the real saving starts from now. (If you go there with more than one person that is). Say that you want to use this birthday coupon, and say that you want to add some topping or side menu. such as chicken breast (for only extra 2,900 won -US $3.00) Then it is a smaller version of the Drover’s Platter. You pay only 2,900 won for this great meal. (It is as filling as the other steaks too.)

Combined

Nearly equals

b) If you don’t want to bother with this coupon, then order half ribs on the barbie from lunch time set menus, at lunch time of course. Add chicken breast as a side meal. Then it is also a Drover’s Platter. (You will pay 16,400 won before VAT, so you only save 3,500 won. still better than nothing.)

Combined

Equals

3. Ask for as much bread as you want. It is free with the meals. Also, before you leave the table, ask for take away bread if they haven’t give some to you. (It is also free. When I ask they usually give me 2 loaves of bread in a bag.)

4. If you are having some beverages such as coke, sprite, lemonade , and even fresh juice etc, once you finish it, you can ask for soft drink refills as much as you want. (though you can only ask for a cheaper one like coke, fanta, sprite etc.) But still better than nothing.

By the way, I don’t work for or paid by Outback steak house. I just want you to know this information that most Koreans already know.

Related Post

Korea, Outback Steakhouse Membership Service has changed

how to become a member at Outback Steak House

If you live near a university or big corporation, there is a high chance you can get some cheap meals.
In general, eating out in Korea isn’t that expensive, No, actually it is quite cheap since wages are so low in service industries. However meals at most universities and corporations are even cheaper.

I live near a corporation which is one of the biggest steel exporting companies in the world.
Sometimes when I don’t feel like cooking, I just drag my husband there. It’s open to the public as well. Dinner is 2500 won. (Lunch is 3000 won).

This is what I had couple of days ago.

The menu from the top left is: Fish cutlet with tartar sauce, Jeyuk-Bokkeum (Marinated pork with Gochujang sauce), Seasoned Cucumber, White rice, Squid and tofu mixed stew.
It was quite nice, especially for that price. Where else could you get this meal for 2500 won (About 2.60 US dollors)?

-How to buy meals at the cafeteria-

1. There is usually vending machines or a person who sells coupons. So you pay money to get a coupon. There are more choices of menus at universities. (At corporations you can’t choose the menu most of the time.)

2. Follow the crowds. (Not the food rubish emptying line )
If you can help yourself, like a buffet system, then you choose what you’re going to get (Kimchi is unavoidable). If you want some more, you can refill freely. (If they let you of course. Where I go it is very common.)

3. Enjoy the meal.

4. Make sure you empty your food scraps at the end in the bins provided (or put the tray in the place provided) – just follow everyone else.