🍽️ Let's Order Like a Local in Korea!
Order Like a Local in Korea
If you're visiting Korea or living here as an expat, eating out is part of everyday life — and Korean food is amazing! 😋 But it can be stressful if you don’t know what to say in a restaurant. Don’t worry! In this post, you'll learn the must-know Korean expressions you’ll need when dining out. 🍲🧾
🪑 1. Getting a Table
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 몇 분이세요? | myeot bun-iseyo? | How many people? |
| 두 명이에요. | du myeong-ieyo. | Two people. |
| 여기 앉아도 돼요? | yeogi anjado dwaeyo? | Can we sit here? |
| 창가 자리 있어요? | changga jari isseoyo? | Do you have a window seat? |
✅ Cultural Tip: In Korea, you often wait at the entrance, and a server will seat you.
📖 2. Ordering Food
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 메뉴 좀 주세요. | Please give me a menu. |
| 추천해 주세요. | Please recommend something. |
| 이거 하나 주세요. | I’ll have this one, please. |
| 맵지 않게 해 주세요. | Please make it not spicy. |
| 물 좀 주세요. | Please give me some water. |
| 더 필요한 거 있으세요? (Staff) | Do you need anything else? |
✅ Tip: Most restaurants offer free side dishes (반찬) and you can politely ask for more:
“반찬 더 주세요.” → Please give me more side dishes.
💬 3. Asking About the Food
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 이거 뭐예요? | What is this? |
| 고기 들어가요? | Does it have meat? |
| 채식 메뉴 있어요? | Do you have vegetarian options? |
| 알레르기 있어요. | I have an allergy. |
✅ Example:
돼지고기 들어가요?
→ Does it contain pork?
💳 4. Paying and Leaving
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 계산서 주세요. | Please give me the check. |
| 카드 돼요? | Do you take card? |
| 잘 먹었습니다. | I ate well (Thank you for the meal). |
✅ Cultural Tip: In Korea, you usually pay at the counter, not at the table.
🗣️ Sample Conversation
A: 안녕하세요. 두 명이에요.
B: 이쪽으로 오세요. 여기 앉으세요.
A: 메뉴 좀 주세요. 추천해 주세요!
B: 불고기 좋아하세요? 인기가 많아요.
A: 좋아요. 그거 하나 주세요. 물도 주세요.
B: 네~ 잠시만요.
(After eating)
A: 계산서 주세요. 잘 먹었습니다!
👩🏫 Want to Practice Korean for Restaurants?
Eating out is the perfect place to use real Korean. In my online class, I’ll help you practice real conversations so you can feel confident the next time you eat out in Korea!
👉 Book a 1:1 Korean class with me on italki:
https://www.italki.com/ko/teacher/7916559
💬 Have questions about learning Korean or restaurant expressions?
Leave a comment below — I’d love to help! 🥰👇
