How to Order Food in Korea: Essential Phrases & Tips
Master ordering food in Korea with phrases like 추천해 주세요 and 덜 맵게 해주세요. Learn the spiciness scale and common mistakes. Master dining out!
Master ordering food in Korea with phrases like 추천해 주세요 and 덜 맵게 해주세요. Learn the spiciness scale and common mistakes. Master dining out!
Navigate any Korean restaurant with confidence using these five essential phrases for recommendations, spice levels, and paying the bill.
Situation (what’s happening)
You're at a busy Galbi restaurant in Hongdae with a friend. You need to find the best menu item, adjust the heat, and settle the bill without any awkward silences.
손님: 저기요, 여기 뭐가 맛있어요? 메뉴 추천해 주세요.sonnim: jeogiyo, yeogi mwoga masisseoyo? menyu chucheonhae juseyo. — Excuse me, what's good here? Please recommend something.
직원: 갈비찜이 제일 잘 나가요. 보통 맛으로 드릴까요?jigwon: galbijjimi jeil jal nagayo. botong maseuro deurilkkayo? — The braised short ribs are our best seller. Shall I give you the medium spice level?
손님: 너무 매우면 못 먹어서요. 조금만 덜 맵게 해주세요.sonnim: neomu maeumyeon mot meogeoseoyo. jogeumman deol maepge haejuseyo. — I can't eat it if it's too spicy. Please make it a little less spicy.
손님: 그리고 공기밥 두 개랑 콜라 하나만 주세요.sonnim: geurigo gonggibap du gaerang kolra hanaman juseyo. — And please give us two bowls of rice and one cola.
직원: 네, 알겠습니다.jigwon: ne, algetseupnida. — Yes, understood.
손님: 저기요, 계산해 주세요. 따로따로 계산할 수 있나요?sonnim: jeogiyo, gyesanhae juseyo. ttarottaro gyesanhal su itnayo? — Excuse me, please check us out. Can we pay separately?
Quick cheat sheet
Expressions in this post
Why this fits the scene
When you're overwhelmed by a menu full of Hangul, asking for a recommendation is the fastest way to find the house specialty. It shows you trust the staff's expertise.
Safer alternative
뭐가 제일 맛있어요?mwoga jeil masisseoyo? — What is the most delicious?
Example line (from the script)
메뉴 추천해 주세요.menyu chucheonhae juseyo. — Please recommend a menu item.
Why this fits the scene
Korean "mild" can still be quite spicy for many travelers. Using 덜deol (less) is a crucial survival phrase for anyone who isn't a spice enthusiast.
Safer alternative
안 맵게 해주세요.an maepge haejuseyo. — Please make it not spicy at all.
Example line (from the script)
조금만 덜 맵게 해주세요.jogeumman deol maepge haejuseyo. — Please make it just a little less spicy.
Why this fits the scene
While 만man means "only," in a restaurant context, it's often used to specify exactly what you want without extra sides or to clarify a specific quantity.
Safer alternative
~하고 ~ 주세요.~hago ~ juseyo. — Please give me [A] and [B].
Example line (from the script)
콜라 하나만 주세요.kolra hanaman juseyo. — Please give me just one cola.
Why this fits the scene
In Korea, you often pay at the counter near the exit, but in some sit-down places, you can signal the staff from your table. This phrase is the standard way to initiate the payment process.
Safer alternative
얼마예요?eolmayeyo? — How much is it?
Example line (from the script)
저기요, 계산해 주세요.jeogiyo, gyesanhae juseyo. — Excuse me, please check us out.
Why this fits the scene
While "Dutch pay" is common among friends, you must specify if you want the bill split before the clerk starts swiping cards. 따로따로ttarottaro is the most natural adverb for "separately."
Safer alternative
각자 계산할게요.gakja gyesanhalgeyo. — We will pay individually.
Example line (from the script)
따로따로 계산할 수 있나요?ttarottaro gyesanhal su itnayo? — Can we pay separately?
Spiciness Decision Tree
How to choose your level:
- Can you handle a Jalapeño? -> Ask for
보통 맛botong mat (Normal/Medium). - Is black pepper your limit? -> Ask for
안 맵게an maepge (Not spicy) or하얗게hayatge (White/No chili). - Do you love fire? -> Ask for
맵게maepge (Spicy) or아주 맵게aju maepge (Very spicy).
Counting Drill: 인분 vs 개
- Use
인분inbun (portions/servings) for main dishes like BBQ or stews:삼겹살 2인분samgyeopsal 2inbun (2 servings of pork belly). - Use
개gae (general counter) for side items or drinks:공기밥 2개gonggibap 2gae (2 bowls of rice),콜라 1개kolra 1gae (1 cola).
Rewrite drill
Rewrite: 계산해 주세요gyesanhae juseyo (Please check us out)
- Casual:
계산해 줘gyesanhae jwo - Neutral:
계산해 주세요gyesanhae juseyo - Polite:
계산 부탁드립니다gyesan butakdeuripnida
Copy/paste mini-dialogues (with EN)
Mini quiz (2 minutes)
Notes:
- Q1:
따로따로ttarottaro is used when splitting a bill into individual payments. - Q2:
추천해 주세요chucheonhae juseyo is the standard polite way to ask for a recommendation. - Q3:
덜 맵게 해주세요deol maepge haejuseyo is used to request a reduction in the default spice level.
Next steps
When you enter a restaurant, look for a button on the table. If there isn't one, a polite 저기요jeogiyo (Excuse me) is perfectly fine to get attention. Don't be afraid to ask for 추천chucheon—Koreans take pride in their signature dishes!
