Korean Restaurant Phrases You Need Before Ordering
Korean Restaurant Phrases You Need Before Ordering
You've found a restaurant that looks good. The sign is in Korean, the menu is in Korean, and the staff just asked you something you didn't catch. Here's the thing — you don't need to be fluent to eat well in Korea. You need about fifteen phrases and a rough understanding of how restaurants work here. This guide covers both.
The Quick Answer
The most useful Korean restaurant phrase is "이거 주세요" (i-geo ju-se-yo) — "This one, please." Point at the menu and say this, and you can order almost anything. Everything else in this guide builds from there.
Pro tip: Adding "-요 (-yo)" to the end of almost any word or phrase makes it polite enough for any restaurant situation. It's the shortcut to sounding respectful without knowing complex grammar.
Before You Go In — Reservations and Waiting
Some popular restaurants require reservations, especially on weekends. A few useful phrases before you step inside:
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 예약했어요 | ye-yak-haess-eo-yo | I have a reservation |
| 예약 안 했어요 | ye-yak an haess-eo-yo | I don't have a reservation |
| 웨이팅 있나요? | we-i-ting it-na-yo? | Is there a wait? |
| 지금 들어갈 수 있나요? | ji-geum deul-eo-gal su it-na-yo? | Can we go in now? |
| 얼마나 기다려요? | eol-ma-na gi-da-ryeo-yo? | How long is the wait? |
Getting Seated — Telling Them How Many
When you walk in, staff will usually ask "몇 분이세요?" (myeot bun-i-se-yo?) — "How many people?" Hold up fingers, or use one of these:
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 한 명이요 | han myeong-i-yo | One person |
| 두 명이요 | du myeong-i-yo | Two people |
| 세 명이요 | se myeong-i-yo | Three people |
| 네 명이요 | ne myeong-i-yo | Four people |
| 혼자요 | hon-ja-yo | Just me (alone) |
Solo dining note: Saying "혼자요" is completely normal. Solo dining is common in Korea and no one will make you feel unwelcome for it.
Ordering — Kiosk or Staff?
Many Korean restaurants now have a kiosk (키오스크) at the entrance or on the counter. Before looking for a staff member, check whether there's a tablet screen near the door or on your table.
 |
| "Many Korean restaurants now use kiosks — look for the 'ENG' or flag icon to switch to English. Photos make ordering easy even without Korean!" |
Using a Kiosk
- Look for a language button — most kiosks have a flag icon or "ENG" button somewhere on the home screen. Tap it to switch to English.
- If there's no English option, the photos are your guide — tap the image of what you want.
- Confirm your order, pay by card (tap or insert), and collect your receipt or buzzer.
- A vibrating buzzer (진동벨 / jin-dong-bel) will alert you when your food is ready.
 |
| "Many Korean restaurants now have table-top kiosks — order from your seat using the touchscreen. Look for the 'ENG' button or just tap the food photos!" |
No Kiosk? Call the Staff
If there's no kiosk and no one comes to take your order, you need to call a staff member over.
The standard way: "저기요!" (jeo-gi-yo!) — "Excuse me!" This works in any restaurant, at any volume, without any cultural awkwardness. It's the default.
The Korean way:
- To a woman: "이모님!" (i-mo-nim!) — literally "auntie," used warmly and widely for female restaurant staff
- To a man: "사장님!" (sa-jang-nim!) — literally "boss," used as a friendly, respectful address for male staff
Both of these are genuinely used by Koreans and will get you served faster than a polite wave. Don't worry about getting them wrong — the effort is always appreciated.
If there's a call button (벨) on the table or wall, press it without hesitation. That's exactly what it's for.
Reading the Menu — When You Can't
Korean menus can be entirely in Korean with no pictures. Here are your options:
Use Papago camera translation: Open the Papago app, tap the camera icon, and point it at the menu. It translates in real time. This works well for printed menus and menu boards.
Ask for a picture menu: Some restaurants have a photo menu on request.
Ask what they recommend:
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 추천해 주세요 | chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo | What do you recommend? |
| 이게 뭐예요? | i-ge mwo-ye-yo? | What is this? |
| 사진 있어요? | sa-jin i-sseo-yo? | Do you have a photo menu? |
| 인기 메뉴가 뭐예요? | in-gi me-nyu-ga mwo-ye-yo? | What's the most popular dish? |
Ordering — The Core Phrases
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 이거 주세요 | i-geo ju-se-yo | This one, please (point at menu) |
| 이거 하나 주세요 | i-geo ha-na ju-se-yo | One of this, please |
| 이거 둘 주세요 | i-geo dul ju-se-yo | Two of this, please |
| 삼겹살 2인분 주세요 | sam-gyeop-sal i-in-bun ju-se-yo | Two portions of pork belly, please |
| 이게 다예요 | i-ge da-ye-yo | That's everything (done ordering) |
Counting portions: Korean menus often list dishes by 인분 (in-bun = portion). One portion = 1인분, two portions = 2인분. Most Korean BBQ restaurants require a minimum of 2인분 per order.
 |
| "Point at the menu and say '이거 주세요 (i-geo ju-se-yo)' — 'This one, please.' That's all you need to order in most Korean restaurants!" |
Adjusting Your Order
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 이건 빼주세요 | i-geon bbae-ju-se-yo | Please leave this out |
| 소스 따로 주세요 | so-seu tta-ro ju-se-yo | Sauce on the side, please |
| 양념 적게 해주세요 | yang-nyeom jeok-ge hae-ju-se-yo | Less seasoning, please |
Spice Level — Three Options
Korean food can be genuinely spicy. Use these to control your heat level:
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 안 맵게 해주세요 | an maep-ge hae-ju-se-yo | Not spicy at all, please |
| 덜 맵게 해주세요 | deol maep-ge hae-ju-se-yo | Less spicy, please |
| 조금만 맵게 해주세요 | jo-geum-man maep-ge hae-ju-se-yo | Just a little spicy, please |
Not all dishes can be adjusted — some sauces are pre-made in bulk. Staff will tell you if it's not possible.
During the Meal — Asking for Things
Water and Utensils
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 물 주세요 | mul ju-se-yo | Water, please |
| 물 더 주세요 | mul deo ju-se-yo | More water, please |
| 젓가락 주세요 | jeot-ga-rak ju-se-yo | Chopsticks, please |
| 수저 주세요 | su-jeo ju-se-yo | Spoon, please |
| 포크 있어요? | po-keu i-sseo-yo? | Do you have a fork? |
| 휴지 주세요 | hyu-ji ju-se-yo | Napkins/tissues, please |
On forks: Asking for a fork is not embarrassing. Most restaurants have them. Chopsticks are the default, but no one expects foreign visitors to manage perfectly. If chopsticks aren't working, ask.
On spoons: Korean dining uses both chopsticks and spoons. The spoon (숟가락) is used for rice and soup — switching between chopsticks and spoon throughout the meal is completely normal.
Side Dishes and Rice
Korean restaurants serve side dishes (반찬 / ban-chan) with most meals, and they're usually free to refill — but not always. Ask before assuming.
 |
| "Korean side dishes (banchan) come free with most meals — kimchi, pickled radish, seasoned veggies. Want more? Say '반찬 더 주세요 (ban-chan deo ju-se-yo)'!" |
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 반찬 더 주세요 | ban-chan deo ju-se-yo | More side dishes, please |
| 이거 더 받을 수 있나요? | i-geo deo bat-eul su it-na-yo? | Can I get more of this? |
| 공기밥 주세요 | gong-gi-bap ju-se-yo | A bowl of rice, please |
| 밥 더 주세요 | bap deo ju-se-yo | More rice, please |
Rice is usually ordered separately in Korean restaurants and charged extra (around ₩1,000–₩2,000 per bowl). It's listed on the menu as 공기밥 (gong-gi-bap).
BBQ-Specific Phrases
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 구워주세요 | gu-wo-ju-se-yo | Please grill this for me |
| 데워주세요 | de-wo-ju-se-yo | Please heat this up |
| 불 줄여주세요 | bul ju-ryeo-ju-se-yo | Please turn down the heat |
| 볶음밥 해주세요 | bok-keum-bap hae-ju-se-yo | Fried rice at the end, please |
Takeout and Dining In
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 포장할게요 | po-jang-hal-ge-yo | I'll take it to go |
| 포장해 주세요 | po-jang-hae ju-se-yo | Please pack it to go |
| 먹고 갈게요 | meok-go gal-ge-yo | I'll eat here |
| 여기서 먹을게요 | yeo-gi-seo meok-eul-ge-yo | I'll eat here (same meaning) |
Dietary Restrictions and Allergies
These situations require a little more communication. Use these phrases, and supplement with a translation app if needed.
| Situation | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| Allergy (general) | ~알레르기 있어요 | ~al-le-reu-gi i-sseo-yo |
| Nut allergy | 견과류 알레르기 있어요 | gyeon-gwa-ryu al-le-reu-gi i-sseo-yo |
| Shellfish allergy | 해산물 알레르기 있어요 | hae-san-mul al-le-reu-gi i-sseo-yo |
| No meat | 고기 빼주세요 | go-gi bbae-ju-se-yo |
| Vegetarian | 채식주의자예요 | chae-sik-ju-ui-ja-ye-yo |
| No pork | 돼지고기 빼주세요 | dwae-ji-go-gi bbae-ju-se-yo |
| No seafood | 해산물 빼주세요 | hae-san-mul bbae-ju-se-yo |
Honest note on vegetarian options: Fully vegetarian Korean restaurant meals are not easy to find. Many dishes that appear vegetable-based contain anchovy stock, shrimp paste, or other seafood-derived ingredients. If you have strict dietary needs, look for dedicated vegetarian restaurants (채식 식당 / chae-sik sik-dang) rather than relying on modifications at standard restaurants.
Paying the Bill
In most Korean restaurants, you pay at the front counter when you leave — not at the table. Walk up to the counter with your tray number or just say you're ready to pay.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 계산해 주세요 | gye-san-hae ju-se-yo | Check, please / I'd like to pay |
| 여기 계산할게요 | yeo-gi gye-san-hal-ge-yo | We'd like to pay here |
| 카드 돼요? | ka-deu dwae-yo? | Do you accept cards? |
| 현금 돼요? | hyeon-geum dwae-yo? | Do you accept cash? |
| 따로 계산해 주세요 | tta-ro gye-san-hae ju-se-yo | Separate bills, please |
| 한 번에 계산할게요 | han beon-e gye-san-hal-ge-yo | We'll pay together |
| 영수증 주세요 | yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo | Receipt, please |
On tipping: Korea does not have a tipping culture. Do not leave money on the table — it may confuse staff. Just pay the bill and go.
Pronunciation Quick Guide
You don't need to perfect Korean pronunciation to be understood. A few basics help:
The "-yo" rule: Adding -요 to the end of a word or phrase makes it polite. "주세요 (ju-se-yo)" = "please give me." This suffix is your best friend.
Double consonants sound tense: ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅆ, ㅉ are pronounced with more tension than their single equivalents. "빼주세요 (bbae-ju-se-yo)" starts with a tense B sound.
Speak clearly and a little slowly. Most misunderstandings come from speed, not accent. Korean speakers are generally patient with foreign pronunciation — making the attempt is what matters.
FAQ
Q: Can I manage at a Korean restaurant without speaking Korean? Yes. Pointing at a menu and saying "이거 주세요 (i-geo ju-se-yo)" gets you fed in almost any restaurant. Translation apps handle the rest.
Q: Can kiosks be switched to English? Many can — look for a flag icon or "ENG" on the home screen. Not all kiosks have English, but the photo-based interface is usually navigable even without it.
Q: What if I can't read the menu at all? Use the Papago app's camera translation function — point it at the menu for real-time translation. Alternatively, ask "추천해 주세요 (chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo)" and let the staff choose for you. Pointing at what the next table is eating also works.
Q: How do I politely get the staff's attention? Say "저기요! (jeo-gi-yo!)" clearly — this is the standard way. If there's a call button on the table, press it. In more casual settings, "이모님!" for women and "사장님!" for men are friendly and effective.
Q: Do I need to tip in Korean restaurants? No. Tipping is not part of Korean dining culture. Paying the bill is all that's expected.
Q: Can I ask for a takeout box for leftovers? Yes. Say "포장해 주세요 (po-jang-hae ju-se-yo)" — "Please pack it to go." Most restaurants will wrap your leftovers without any issue.
Q: I have a food allergy. How do I communicate it? Use "[ingredient] 알레르기 있어요" — for example, "견과류 알레르기 있어요" for nut allergy. Show the written Korean to staff if possible, as spoken pronunciation can sometimes be unclear. For serious allergies, carrying a written card in Korean is the safest approach.
Related Posts
- How to Order at a Korean BBQ Restaurant (Step-by-Step)
- 7-Eleven & GS25: Best Convenience Store Meals in Korea
- Best Korean Cafe Tips for First-Time Visitors
Bookmark this page before your first Korean restaurant visit — or screenshot the phrase tables to use offline.
Have questions? Drop them in the comments — we'll help you figure it out.
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