🍲 Reading Korean Menus in Detail – Intermediate Level (TOPIK 3–4)

Reading Korean Menus in Detail | Intermediate Korean (TOPIK 3–4)

Have you ever opened a Korean menu and felt overwhelmed by the unfamiliar words and cooking terms?

This lesson will guide you through reading Korean menus in detail, from food categories to cooking methods, so you can confidently order your favorite dishes in Korea.

🍱 Menu Categories You Should Know

한식 (Han-sik) – Traditional Korean cuisine
분식 (Bun-sik) – Light meals/snack foods (tteokbokki, gimbap)
구이 (Gui) – Grilled dishes (samgyeopsal, galbi)
찌개 (Jjigae) – Stews (kimchi jjigae, doenjang jjigae)
탕 (Tang) – Soups (samgyetang, gomtang)
볶음 (Bokkeum) – Stir-fried dishes (kimchi bokkeum, dakbokkeum)
전골 (Jeongol) – Hot pot dishes (haemul jeongol)

💡 Note: Menus often separate dishes into these categories. Knowing them helps you navigate Korean dining culture like a local.

🔥 Common Cooking Methods

구이 (grilled) – 고등어 구이 (grilled mackerel)
찜 (steamed/braised) – 갈비찜 (braised short ribs)
튀김 (fried) – 새우튀김 (fried shrimp)
볶음 (stir-fried) – 오징어 볶음 (stir-fried squid)
나물 (seasoned greens) – 시금치 나물 (seasoned spinach)

Tip: These cooking method words are often combined with main ingredients (e.g., “오징어 볶음” = stir-fried squid). Recognizing them makes menus easier to decode.

📝 Useful Phrases for Ordering

추천 메뉴가 뭐예요? – What do you recommend?
이거 맵나요? – Is this spicy?
고기 빼고 만들 수 있어요? – Can you make it without meat?
포장돼요? – Can I get it to-go?
두 명이에요. 메뉴 추천해 주세요. – We are two people. Please recommend a dish.

💡 Note: Polite endings like “-요” make your requests sound friendly and respectful in restaurants.

💬 Example Menu Items

비빔밥 – Bibimbap – Mixed rice with vegetables and gochujang
불고기 – Bulgogi – Marinated grilled beef
김치전 – Kimchi Jeon – Kimchi pancake
삼계탕 – Samgyetang – Ginseng chicken soup

🧩 Quick Check: Which of these dishes would you choose for a cold winter day? Why?

🗣 Practice Dialogue

A: 메뉴에서 추천 요리가 뭐예요? What is the recommended dish on the menu?

B: 불고기가 인기가 많아요. 달콤하고 부드러워요. Bulgogi is very popular. It’s sweet and tender.

A: 맵지 않아요? Is it not spicy?

B: 네, 거의 맵지 않아요. 아이들도 잘 먹어요. No, it’s hardly spicy. Even children enjoy it.

🧩 Quick Check: Can you change this dialogue to ask about vegetarian dishes instead of bulgogi?

🌏 Did You Know?

Did you know? Many Korean restaurants display **plastic food models** or photos of dishes outside their doors. This tradition helps customers visually choose their meal—especially helpful for foreigners learning Korean menus!

📦 Final Thoughts

Reading Korean menus confidently means you’ll enjoy dining experiences more fully. As you study food categories and cooking methods, try visiting local markets or street food vendors to practice identifying dishes in real-life settings.

Hopefully, this guide motivates you to explore more Korean food and confidently talk about your choices. Keep coming back for more practical lessons tailored for your journey!

🔗 Related Posts

Shopping Phrases You Should Know
Essential expressions for buying items confidently in Korean shops.

🎓 Want to practice reading Korean menus with real-life examples?
Book a 1:1 Korean class on italki and gain confidence for dining out in Korea.

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