🍲 How to Order Food at Korean Restaurants
🍱 How to Order Food in Korean: From menu to payment, stress-free
Everything you need to order smoothly—greetings, asking for water, choosing size/spice, paying, and saying thank you.
You’ll practice a full restaurant flow from “table for two” to “separate bills, please.” Simple, polite, and travel-tested.
식당에서 자리 안내부터 결제까지 필요한 표현을 한 번에 정리합니다. 정중하고 간단한 문장 위주로 익혀요.
📑 Table of Contents
🎯 Learning Goals
- Request a table, order dishes, and ask for refills politely.
- Customize options (spice level, size, no onion, take-out).
- Handle payment (one bill vs. split) and say thanks naturally.
🧩 Core Content
Flow overview: Wait to be seated → check menu → place order → confirm extras → pay → thank & leave.
핵심 팁: 주문 전엔 “여기요/저기요”로 직원 호출, 요청은 “주세요/가능할까요?”로 정중하게 말해요.
🗣️ Essential Phrases (Top 10)
| Korean | RR | English |
|---|---|---|
| 두 명이요. 자리 있어요? | du myeong-iyo. jari isseoyo? | Table for two, please. Do you have seats? |
| 메뉴 좀 볼 수 있을까요? | menyu jom bol su isseulkkayo? | May I see the menu? |
| 이거 하나랑 저거 하나 주세요. | igeo hanarang jeogeo hana juseyo | One of this and one of that, please. |
| 덜 맵게 해 주세요. | deol maepge hae juseyo | Please make it less spicy. |
| 양파 빼 주세요. | yangpa pae juseyo | Please remove the onion. |
| 물/리필 좀 주세요. | mul / ripil jom juseyo | Water/refill, please. |
| 포장 가능해요? | pojang ganeunghaeyo? | Is take-out available? |
| 계산서 주세요. | gyesanseo juseyo | Check, please. |
| 각자 결제할게요. | gakja gyeolje halgeyo | We’ll pay separately. |
| 잘 먹었습니다. 감사합니다. | jal meogeosseumnida. gamsahamnida | That was delicious. Thank you. |
💬 Dialogue & Quick Quiz
Scene: Ordering bibimbap and soup for two.
🧍♀️ A: 두 명인데요. 이거랑 저거 하나씩 주세요.
🧑🍳 B: 맵기 조절 필요하신가요?
🧍♀️ A: 덜 맵게 해 주세요. 물도 주세요.
EN: A asks for a table and orders two dishes with less-spicy option and water.
📝 Quick Quiz (open)
- Translate: “각자 결제할게요.” → ________.
- Fill in: “_____ 빼 주세요.” (remove onion)
Answers: We’ll pay separately.; 양파
❌ Common Mistakes
- Saying only 'Hey!' → Fix: call staff with 여기요/저기요 politely.
- Using command forms → Fix: prefer ~주세요 / ~가능할까요?
- Forgetting goodbye → Fix: say 잘 먹었습니다 / 감사합니다 when leaving.
❓ FAQ
How do I ask for less spicy?
Say 덜 맵게 해 주세요. For more spice, use 더 맵게. 맵기 조절은 “덜/더 맵게”로 간단히 말해요.
Is tipping required in Korea?
No, tipping is not expected; service charge may be included. 대부분 팁 문화가 없고, 서비스 요금이 포함된 경우가 많아요.
🌏 Did You Know?
- Basic dining etiquette is explained on the official VisitKorea site (table manners, water, refills).
- Traditional dishes and ingredients overview: KOREA.net Culture.
⚠️ Menus vary—always check for allergens and ask staff politely.
🎓 italki Lesson
Want to role-play ordering at real pace? Book a 1:1 session and practice your exact order with feedback.
