Food & Drinks

1. 이거 주세요

   I-geo ju-se-yo

   I will have this, please

   Usage

   Used when pointing at a menu item to order

   Grammar Note

   "주세요" is the polite imperative of "주다" (to give). Very useful for pointing-and-ordering.

2. 맛있어요

   Ma-si-sseo-yo

   It is delicious

   Usage

   Compliment used when food tastes good

   Grammar Note

   "맛" (taste) + "있다" (to have/exist) + "-어요" (polite ending). A great compliment for the cook.

3. 계산서 주세요

   Gye-san-seo ju-se-yo

   Check, please

   Usage

   Used to request the bill after a meal

   Grammar Note

   "계산" (calculation, payment) + "서" (document). Many Korean restaurants have you pay at the counter.

4. 물 한 잔 주세요

   Mul han jan ju-se-yo

   One glass of water, please

   Usage

   Used to request a glass of water at a restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "잔" is the counter for cups/glasses. In Korea, water is often free but may need to be requested.

5. 알레르기가 있어요

   Al-le-reu-gi-ga i-sseo-yo

   I have an allergy

   Usage

   Important phrase to communicate food allergies

   Grammar Note

   "있어요" is the polite form of "있다" (to have/exist). Specify the allergen: e.g. "견과류 알레르기가 있어요" (nut allergy).

6. 삼겹살 이인분 주세요

   Sam-gyeop-sal i-in-bun ju-se-yo

   Two servings of samgyeopsal, please

   Usage

   Order the beloved grilled pork belly at a Korean BBQ restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "인분" is the counter for servings. 일인분 (one serving), 삼인분 (three servings).

7. 채식주의자예요

   Chae-sik-ju-ui-ja-ye-yo

   I am vegetarian

   Usage

   Tell a server or cook that you are vegetarian

   Grammar Note

   "채식" is the Sino-Korean word for vegetable diet. "고기를 안 먹어요" (I don't eat meat) is also clear.

8. 오늘의 추천 메뉴가 뭐예요?

   O-neul-ui chu-cheon me-nyu-ga mwo-ye-yo?

   What is today's recommended menu?

   Usage

   Ask the server about today's special or recommended dish

   Grammar Note

   "추천" is the Sino-Korean word for recommendation. "추천 메뉴" works at any restaurant.

9. 리필 되나요?

   Ri-pil doe-na-yo?

   Can I get a refill?

   Usage

   Ask for a refill of drinks or side dishes (banchan)

   Grammar Note

   "되다" (to become/be possible) in question form. Korean side dishes (반찬) are often refillable for free.

10. 화장실이 어디예요?

    Hwa-jang-sil-i eo-di-ye-yo?

    Where is the bathroom?

    Usage

    Ask where the restroom is at a restaurant or café

    Grammar Note

    "화장실" = "화장" (makeup) + "실" (room). Public restroom = "공중화장실". Korean restrooms are generally clean.

11. 밥

    Bap

    Cooked rice

    Usage

    Cooked rice; uncooked rice is "쌀". In some contexts it also means "a meal"

12. 빵

    Ppang

    Bread

    Usage

    Bread in general; a bakery is "빵집"

13. 면

    Myeon

    Noodles

    Usage

    The noodles themselves; noodle dishes are "국수" or "라면". The same spelling also means "cotton" or "side", but in an eatery it reads as noodles

14. 맵다

    Maep-da

    Spicy (hot)

    Usage

    Chili heat; point at it to check how hot a dish is before ordering

15. 달다

    Dal-da

    Sweet

    Usage

    Sweet in taste; the same spelling also means "to hang / attach", so use it in a food context

16. 날것

    Nal-geot

    Raw (uncooked)

    Usage

    Food that has not been cooked; show it when you want something heated through

17. 치즈

    Chi-jeu

    Cheese

    Usage

    Cheese in general; also useful when avoiding dairy

18. 국

    Guk

    Soup

    Usage

    The clear soup served alongside rice; a thicker stew is "찌개"

19. 요구르트

    Yo-gu-reu-teu

    Yogurt

    Usage

    In Korea the same word also covers drinkable yogurt beverages

Browse all TravelPhrases languages