Korean Food and Dining Phrases

Getting a table and a menu

Korean restaurants move fast: seat yourself where it's casual, call for what you need, and don't wait to be noticed.

1. 1 예약했어요. yeyakhaesseoyo — I have a reservation
2. 2 예약 가능해요? yeyak ganeunghaeyo? — Can I make a reservation?
3. 3 실례합니다, 이 자리 비어있어요? sillyehamnida, i jari bieoisseoyo? — Excuse me, is this seat free?
4. 4 저기요! 메뉴 좀 주세요. jeogiyo! menyu jom juseyo — Excuse me! a menu, please
5. 5 추천 메뉴가 뭐예요? chucheon menyuga mwoyeyo? — What do you recommend?

Ordering like you mean it

Point, name a number, add 주세요 — that's the entire grammar of ordering in Korea.

1. 6 이거 주세요. igeo juseyo — This one, please
2. 7 뭐가 맛있어요? mwoga masisseoyo? — What's good here?
3. 8 3개 주세요. se gae juseyo — Three, please
4. 9 커피 한 잔 주세요. keopi han jan juseyo — One coffee, please
5. 10 아이스 커피 마실래요. aiseu keopi masillaeyo — I'll have an iced coffee
6. 11 맥주 한 잔 주세요. maekju han jan juseyo — One beer, please

Spice levels and special requests

Korean food asks one question of every newcomer: how much heat can you take? Answer honestly — 매워요 means business.

1. 12 물 주세요. mul juseyo — Water, please

   Water and side dishes are usually self-serve with free refills — look for the water station.

2. 13 너무 매워요! neomu maewoyo! — It's too spicy!
3. 14 덜 맵게 해주세요. deol maepge haejuseyo — Less spicy, please
4. 15 매운 음식을 좋아해요. maeun eumsigeul joahaeyo — I like spicy food
5. 16 매운 거 잘 먹어요. maeun geo jal meogeoyo — I handle spice well
6. 17 젓가락 주세요. jeotgarak juseyo — Chopsticks, please
7. 18 앞접시 주세요. apjeopsi juseyo — An extra plate for sharing, please

Compliments and the bill

Meals end at the front counter, not the table: take the check to the register by the door, pay there, and skip the tip entirely.

1. 19 음식이 맛있어요. eumsigi masisseoyo — The food is delicious
2. 20 정말 맛있어요! jeongmal masisseoyo! — It's really delicious!
3. 21 맛있게 드세요. masitge deuseyo — Enjoy your meal

   What servers say as they set your food down.

4. 22 맛있게 먹었어요. masitge meogeosseoyo — I really enjoyed the meal
5. 23 계산서 주세요. gyesanseo juseyo — The check, please
6. 24 카드로 계산해 주세요. kadeuro gyesanhae juseyo — Put it on my card, please
7. 25 한국에서는 팁을 안 줘도 돼요. hangukeseo-neun tibeul an jweodo dwaeyo — In Korea you don't need to tip

In real life: dinner for one