🍜 How to Order Food in Korean: At a Restaurant
If you’re traveling to Korea or eating at a Korean restaurant abroad, knowing how to order food in Korean is a must-have skill. 🇰🇷🍽️
In this guide, you'll learn the most useful Korean phrases for ordering food, calling the waiter, asking for recommendations, and paying the bill — all in a polite and beginner-friendly way.
🧑🍳 Step 1: Getting the Server’s Attention
Koreans don’t usually say “Excuse me” — they call out directly or press a bell.
Common Ways:
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저기요! (jeogiyo) → Excuse me! (most polite)
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이모! (imo) → Auntie! (used in small restaurants with older women)
"Do not call anyone 이모(imo). It recommended for older people or those who have gotten along a little bit
벨🔔 → Many tables have a call button — press it!
📖 Step 2: Asking for the Menu
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메뉴 주세요. (menyu juseyo) → Please give me the menu.
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추천해 주세요. (chucheonhae juseyo) → Please recommend something.
💡 Add “이 집에서 뭐가 맛있어요?” → What’s good here?
🥘 Step 3: Ordering Food
Key Pattern:
[Dish] + 주세요. → Please give me [dish].
Examples:
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불고기 주세요. → Bulgogi, please.
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김치찌개 하나 주세요. → One kimchi stew, please.
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비빔밥 두 개 주세요. → Two bibimbap, please.
🔢 Counting Dishes:
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하나 (1), 둘 (2), 셋 (3), 넷 (4) + 개 (counter for food items)
예: 삼겹살 세 개 주세요. (Three orders of pork belly, please.)
🙋♀️ Want to be extra polite?
→ [Dish] 좀 부탁드릴게요. = A more humble and softer tone.
🧂 Step 4: Making Requests
| Korean Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 물 주세요. | Water, please. |
| 더 주세요. | Please give me more. |
| 덜 맵게 해 주세요. | Please make it less spicy. |
| 젓가락 좀 주세요. | Chopsticks, please. |
| 포장해 주세요. | Please pack it to go. |
💵 Step 5: Asking for the Bill
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계산서 주세요. (gyesanseo juseyo) → The bill, please.
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카드 돼요? (kadeu dwaeyo?) → Do you accept cards?
🎁 Optional:
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잘 먹었습니다! → Said after finishing the meal to show gratitude (means "I ate well").
🗣️ Real Conversation Example
👤 손님: 저기요! 메뉴 주세요.
👩🍳 종업원: 네, 여기 있습니다.
👤 손님: 김치찌개 하나랑 공기밥 하나 주세요.
👩🍳 종업원: 네, 잠시만요.
👤 손님: 물도 주세요.
👤 (After eating): 계산서 주세요.
👤 (Leaving): 잘 먹었습니다!
🎯 Practice Tips
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Memorize 주세요, 하나/둘/셋 with your favorite Korean dishes.
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Practice role-playing with a partner or teacher.
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Watch Korean mukbangs or restaurant scenes and mimic the expressions.
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Visit a Korean restaurant and try ordering in Korean — even just one line!
👩🏫 Want to Practice Ordering Naturally?
I can help you sound more confident and natural when ordering at a Korean restaurant — whether you’re visiting Korea or learning for fun.
👉 Book a Korean conversation lesson with me on italki:
https://www.italki.com/ko/teacher/7916559
Let’s practice restaurant Korean together over virtual "meals"! 🍜💬
