I've eaten at Subway more times than I can count, and my go-to order has barely changed in years. This isn't a sponsored post or a polished food review — it's just what I actually order, why it works, and a look at the new Pizza Sub that recently landed on the Korean menu.
How I Became a Subway Regular in Korea
It started back in my college days near Anam (안암), home to Korea University. Subway was the easiest quick lunch between classes — affordable, fast, and you could control exactly what went in. I started with the Egg Mayo, moved around the menu for a while, and eventually landed back on my current permanent favourite. That combination hasn't changed since.
The Recipe I Always Order
If you ask me what to get at Subway Korea, the answer is simple:
- Sandwich: Italian BMT (이탈리안 비엠티)
- Bread: Oat (오트) — sometimes Flatbread for that extra chew
- Sauces: Ranch + Onion (렌치 + 어니언) — both, not one or the other
- Vegetables: Everything. Don't skip anything.
- Special request: Extra olives (올리브 많이)
That's it. Sounds simple because it is — but the ranch-onion combo does something to the Italian BMT that turns it from a decent sandwich into something you actually think about later. The olives add a briny punch that cuts through the richness of the salami and pepperoni. I've tweaked and tried alternatives for years. I always come back to this.
Bread-wise, oat is my default. The flatbread (플랫브레드) has a great chewy texture, but habit keeps pulling me back to oat. On diet days, I've hollowed out the bread and piled in extra veg — works surprisingly well if you're watching carbs.
Other Menus Worth Trying
I'm not a one-sandwich person — I've worked through a decent chunk of the Korean menu over the years.
Tuna Sub
I only tried this recently — genuinely surprised how good it was. I ordered it as a 썹픽 (Sub Pick), the value set Subway Korea offers for single sandwiches. At 6,200 KRW (about $4.50 USD) for a single as of mid-2025, the Tuna is solid value. The filling is creamy without being heavy, and it pairs well with the same ranch-onion combo I use on the BMT.
Steak Sub
Worth getting at least once. The beef is thin-sliced and savoury — better than you'd expect from a quick-service chain. Not my regular, but a reliable pick when I want something a bit more substantial.
The New Menu: Pizza Sub (피자썹)
Subway Korea introduced the 피자썹 (Pizza Sub) as a new limited menu item, and it's been drawing attention from regulars and first-timers alike. The concept is exactly what it sounds like — pizza flavours in a sub format, with toppings and sauce you'd expect from a pizza but served in Subway's signature footlong or six-inch style.
Don't Forget the Cookies
If you have any room left — or even if you don't — grab a cookie. The mint chocolate chip cookie (민트초코쿠키) is the one to get. It's soft in the centre, slightly crisp on the edge, and the mint-chocolate combination is legitimately good. I've had full cookie sessions at Subway where the sandwich was almost secondary.
Practical Info for Visitors to Korea
- Language: Most Subway locations in Korea have picture menus and numbered items — pointing works fine. Staff in tourist-heavy areas often speak basic English.
- Ordering: You customise at the counter, same as anywhere in the world. The flow is identical — bread → protein → cheese → toast → veg → sauce.
- Payment: Cards accepted everywhere. T-money (transit card) works at many locations. Cash is fine too.
- Price range: Singles (썹픽/Sub Pick) start around 6,000–7,000 KRW ($4.50–$5.20 USD) for basic options. Footlongs and premium meats cost more.
- Locations: Hundreds of branches across Korea — shopping malls, university areas, office districts, and near major subway stations.
Quick Summary
- Best order: Italian BMT / Oat bread / Ranch + Onion sauce / All veg / Extra olives
- Budget pick: Tuna Sub Pick — ~6,200 KRW (~$4.50 USD)
- New item to try: Pizza Sub (피자썹)
- Don't skip: Mint choco cookie
- Card-friendly: Yes, everywhere
Subway isn't glamorous food tourism, but when you're in Korea and want something filling, fast, and customisable — you already know what to do. And now you know what to actually order.
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