When the meat starts sizzling, a staff member will come over and cut and flip it with scissors without saying a word. It's your plate, so it can be a bit unsettling to have someone touch it without asking. But this isn't rude — it's part of the service. ## Scissors aren't just for cutting — they're for grilling too At Korean barbecue restaurants, scissors are a safe tool used instead of a knife. Using a knife on a hot grill can be dangerous, so cutting and flipping are all done with scissors. Staff grill meat dozens of times a day, so they know exactly when to flip it so the juices don't escape and it cooks evenly. Especially for first-time customers, they step in first to help so the meat doesn't burn. ## It's not touching your food, it's helping you So you don't need to be startled if a stranger touches your plate. Instead of thinking "why are they touching my food," it's easier on the mind to think "oh, they're helping it cook." It means you can trust them with your plate. ## If you want to grill it yourself If you want to try grilling on your own, just smile and say "I'll do it," or hold the tongs lightly while making eye contact. Most people back off right away, and they don't feel bad about it at all.