Did the Corinthians ask Paul about eating meat offered to idols?

Yes. The Corinthians had written to Paul with questions, and the issue of things offered to idols was among them. In 1 Corinthians 8:1 Paul addresses "things offered to idols," indicating they had asked whether they could eat such meat or not.

Les explains that 1 Corinthians 7:1 and 8:1 give the cause or reason for Paul writing the Corinthian letters. The Corinthians had questions that were popping up in the church, and they did not know how to handle them, so they wrote to Paul. One of those questions came up in chapter 8, verse 1: "as touching things offered to idols." Les says this was the other dilemma, and they had also asked what they were supposed to do with meat offered to idols—whether they could eat it or not. That question prompted some of what Paul covers in this letter to the Corinthian church, which was carnal and filled with problems.

1 Corinthians 8:1

Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

Why did the Corinthians ask Paul whether they could eat meat that had been offered to idols?

They asked Paul because they knew the meat sold in the market or served at a friend’s wedding feast had first been offered to a pagan god or blessed by a pagan priest. They wanted Paul to say what they should do and whether they could eat it.