🥘 Talking About Food: Expressing Likes & Customizing Orders

Hungry in Korea? From saying "I love Kimchi" to asking for "No spice, please," Teacher Hoon explains the most delicious ways to speak Korean at the dinner table.

Korean Samgyeopsal table set representing a shared meal

The Language of Taste (EEAT Tip)

Food is the heart of Korean culture. As a teacher with 20 years of experience, I always tell beginners: Mastering food phrases is the fastest way to make Korean friends. Whether you're at a BBQ house or a trendy cafe, knowing how to express your "Spice Tolerance" is key to a great experience. Let's learn the core patterns.

📑 Tap to view Food Talk Roadmap

1. Core Patterns: Likes & Dislikes
2. 🔥 How to Order Spice Levels
3. 🗣 Practice Dialogue: Ordering Recommendations
4. ⚠️ Common Beginner "Food" Mistakes

1. Core Phrases for Preferences

❤️ 저는 [음식]을/를 좋아해요. (I like [food].)
🏆 제일 좋아하는 음식은 [N]이에요. (My favorite food is [N].)
⚖️ [A]보다 [B]를 더 좋아해요. (I like B more than A.)

💡 Teacher Hoon's Pro "Spice" Tip

Don't just say "It's spicy" (매워요). When ordering, use the ~게 (~ly) adverb form to tell the chef how to cook.
🙋‍♂️ "안 맵게 해 주세요." (Please make it NOT spicy.)
🙋‍♀️ "조금만 맵게 해 주세요." (Please make it just a LITTLE spicy.)

🍲 Essential Menu Vocabulary

Korean	Pronunciation	English
비빔밥	Bibimbap	Mixed rice bowl
불고기	Bulgogi	Marinated beef
김치찌개	Kimchi-jjigae	Kimchi stew
떡볶이	Tteokbokki	Spicy rice cakes
김밥	Gimbap	Seaweed rice roll

🗣 Practice Dialogue: Restaurant Scenario

A (Staff): 어떤 음식을 좋아하세요? (What kind of food do you like?)

B (Guest): 저는 비빔밥을 제일 좋아해요. 매운 건 잘 못 먹어요. (I like Bibimbap the most. I can't eat spicy food well.)

A: 그럼, 비빔밥 하나 안 맵게 해 드릴까요? (Then, shall I make one Bibimbap not spicy?)

B: 네, 그렇게 해 주세요. 추천 감사합니다! (Yes, please. Thanks for the recommendation!)

⚠️ Common Beginner Mistakes

❌ 은/는 with 좋아하다: Always use 을/를 (Object marker).
(Say "김치를 좋아해요," NOT "김치는 좋아해요" unless contrasting.)
❌ Direct Translation of "Favorite": Instead of "My favorite is...", use "제일 좋아하는...은/는...이에요."
❌ Spice Level: Using "매워요" (It's spicy) when you mean "Make it spicy." Use "맵게 해 주세요."

Want a "Foodie" Roleplay Session?

Practice ordering like a native before your next trip! Book a 1:1 "Survival Dining" session with Hoon on italki. We'll practice custom orders, allergy explanations, and table etiquette until you sound like a local Seoulite.

🚀 Master Dining Korean with Hoon

Related Lessons:
Menu Reading Guide | Contact Hoon