Order Food in Korean

How to Order Food in Korean: Essential Phrases and Tips for Dining

Planning to visit South Korea or enjoy some authentic Korean food at a local restaurant? Learning how to order food in Korean is not just a practical skill—it’s an opportunity to explore the culture and show off your beginner Korean phrases for dining! When learning how to order food in Korean, you’ll encounter essential Korean restaurant phrases and Korean food vocabulary. These beginner Korean phrases for dining will make your restaurant experience much smoother.


Key Korean Vocabulary for Ordering Food

Before you can confidently order food in Korean, it’s important to know some basic Korean vocabulary. Here are essential words you’ll use while ordering:

Korean (Hangul) Romanization English Translation
메뉴 menyu Menu
음식 eumsik Food
주문하다 jumunhada To order
계산서 gyesanseo Bill
맛있어요 masisseoyo It’s delicious
물 mul Water
음료수 eumnyosu Drink
빨리 ppalli Quickly
더 주세요 deo juseyo Please give me more
안 매운 ~ an maeun Not spicy [something]

Common Phrases for Ordering Food in Korean

Now that you’ve got the vocabulary down, it’s time to learn some practical Korean restaurant phrases for ordering food. These beginner Korean phrases for dining will make it easy to communicate with waitstaff:

  1. 메뉴 주세요. (menyu juseyo.)
    Please give me the menu.
  2. 덜 맵게 해주세요. (deol maepge haejuseyo.)
    Please make it less spicy.
  3. 물 좀 주세요. (mul jom juseyo.)
    Please bring me some water.
  4. 계산서 주세요. (gyesanseo juseyo.)
    Please bring the bill.
  5. 반찬 더 주세요. (banchan deo juseyo.)
    Please give me more side dishes.
  6. 저는 채식주의자예요. (jeoneun chaesikjuuiaeyo.)
    I am a vegetarian.
  7. 포장해 주세요. (pojangae juseyo.)
    Please wrap this up for takeaway.
  8. 계산 카드로 할게요. (gyesan kadeuro halgeyo.)
    I will pay by card.



Understanding Korean Waitstaff Responses

When ordering food in Korean, it’s also helpful to recognize some common responses from waitstaff. Here are a few you might hear:

  1. 잠시만 기다려 주세요. (jamsiman gidaryeo juseyo.)
    Please wait a moment.
  2. 매운맛 괜찮으세요? (maeunmat gwaenchanheuseyo?)
    Is the spicy flavor okay?
  3. 이건 조금 매워요. (igeon jogeum maewoyo.)
    This one is a bit spicy.
  4. 여기 물입니다. (yeogi mulimnida.)
    Here is your water.
  5. 주문하신 음식 나왔습니다. (jumunhasin eumsik nawassseumnida.)
    Your food is ready.
  6. 더 필요한 것 있으세요? (deo piryo-han geot isseuseyo?)
    Do you need anything else?
  7. 맛있게 드세요. (masitge deuseyo.)
    Enjoy your meal.
  8. 포장해 드릴까요? (pojanghae deurilkkayo?)
    Would you like it to be packed to go?

Understanding these responses will make your dining experience much smoother!

Tips for Ordering Food in Korea

Beyond vocabulary and phrases, there are a few cultural tips to enhance your experience when dining in Korea:

  1. Use Polite Language: Always begin with “실례합니다 (sillyehamnida)” meaning "Excuse me." Being polite is crucial in Korean culture, especially in restaurants. For more greetings in Korean, check out this post.
  2. Pointing is OK: If you’re unsure how to pronounce something, pointing at the menu works well. Just say “이거 주세요” (Please give me this).
  3. Spice Levels: If you’re not a fan of spicy food, say “안 매운 걸로 주세요 (an maeun geollo juseyo)” – "Please make it not spicy."
  4. Compliment the Food: Don’t hesitate to say "정말 맛있어요! (jeongmal masisseoyo!)" – It’s really delicious! This will brighten the staff’s day and make your meal more enjoyable.


Practice Ordering Food in Korean

Want to become more confident in using these Korean restaurant phrases? Try practicing with a language partner, watching Korean cooking shows, or using apps like LingoDeer to sharpen your Korean skills. This language app, particularly, has interactive exercises and comprehensive learning tips that make learning Korean food vocabulary both fun and effective!

Feel excited about learning Korean now? Learn more about LingoDeer from this review post, and you can also visit their website, App Store or Google Play to start your Korean learning .

Ordering food in Korean is not just about satisfying your appetite—it’s a chance to immerse yourself in the language and culture. Whether you’re in Seoul or at a Korean restaurant near you, mastering these beginner Korean phrases for dining will add to your experience!

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