This was conducted to investigate the dietary assessment, food preferences, snack intake, priority order in food purchase, and knowledge of diet of full-time housewives and working housewives through the use of a questionnaire. The participants (127 working housewives and 86 housewives) were selected at random from Seoul and its vicinity. The predominant job reported by working housewives was saleswomen and specialized job (20.7%). The average monthly income of both housewives and working housewives ranged from 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 won. Forty percent of housewives consumed more meat, fish, eggs, beans, and tofu, while 50.0% of housewives ate vegetables other than kimchi at every meal, 51.2% of housewives consumed one serving of fruit and one cup of fruit juice, 45.3% of housewives consumed three regular meals, and 60.5% of housewives consumed a balanced diet when compared with working housewives (p<0.05). Working housewives consumed beverages, ice cream, milk, and dairy products, while housewives consumed breads, sweet potato, potato, and fruit as snacks. The preference that most often led to food selection was flavor among working housewives (67.7%) and housewives (64.0%). Both working housewives and housewives always confirmed the day of food production. Generally, housewives were more interested in learning about food, creating a dietary plan, nutrient loss during cooking and reducing waste food when compared with working housewives. Housewives appeared to have better dietary assessment and knowledge than working housewives. Accordingly, it is advisable to prepare more systemic education programs for working housewives.