Order Food in Korean Restaurants: Phrases & Guide 2026

Korea offers an unparalleled culinary adventure, a vibrant tapestry of flavors, aromas, and dining experiences that captivate travelers and expats alike. From sizzling Korean barbecue to comforting stews and delectable street food, the gastronomic scene is a major highlight of any visit. However, for many international visitors, the excitement can be tinged with apprehension when it comes to ordering food in Korean restaurants, especially if English menus are scarce or staff do not speak fluent English. The language barrier, combined with unique dining customs, can feel like a daunting hurdle.

This comprehensive guide for 2026 aims to equip you with all the essential Korean phrases, practical tips, and cultural insights you need to confidently order food in any Korean restaurant. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, mastering these phrases will not only make your dining experience smoother but also enrich your cultural immersion. We will cover everything from basic greetings and requesting a table to deciphering menus, handling dietary restrictions, and even mastering the Korean barbecue experience. Get ready to transform your dining apprehension into delicious confidence!

Essential Phrases for Getting Seated in Korean Restaurants

Your journey into a Korean dining experience begins the moment you step through the restaurant door. Knowing a few basic phrases and understanding the initial customs can make a significant difference in how smoothly you get seated. Most Korean restaurants operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and while some may have a host, it is often common to simply find an empty table.

Entering the Restaurant and Greeting Staff

Upon entering, a simple greeting is always appreciated. While it is not strictly necessary to wait to be seated in many casual eateries, making eye contact and using a polite greeting sets a positive tone.

• "Annyeonghaseyo" (An-nyeong-ha-se-yo): Hello.
  • This is the standard, polite greeting used universally. It is a great way to initiate contact with the restaurant staff.

Requesting a Table

If the restaurant is busy or if you prefer a specific type of seating, you might need to make a request. Many restaurants will have both table seating and traditional floor seating (where you sit on cushions on the floor).

• "Irin-bun-iyo" (Ee-rin-boon-ee-yo): One person.
• "Duri-yo" (Doo-ree-yo): Two people.
• "Seot-myeong-iyo" (Seot-myeong-ee-yo): Three people.
• "Neot-myeong-iyo" (Neot-myeong-ee-yo): Four people.
  • Simply state the number of people in your party followed by "iyo." For example, if you are a party of two, you would say "Duri-yo."
• "Table-e anj-eul geoyeyo" (Table-eh an-jeul geo-yeh-yo): I would like to sit at a table.
• "Bang-e anj-eul geoyeyo" (Bang-eh an-jeul geo-yeh-yo): I would like to sit in a private room (often floor seating).
  • These phrases are useful if you have a preference. Note that "bang" refers to a room, which in restaurants often means a private or semi-private area with floor seating.

Understanding Seating Options

Korean restaurants offer diverse seating arrangements. You might encounter:

• Table seating: Standard tables and chairs, similar to Western restaurants.
• Floor seating (Ondol): Traditional Korean style where you sit on cushions on a heated floor. You will need to remove your shoes before entering these areas. Look for a shoe rack near the entrance.
• Outdoor seating (Pojangmacha): While not inside a restaurant, many street food stalls and casual eateries offer simple outdoor tables or plastic chairs.

Practical Tip: If you see an empty table and no one is waiting, it is often acceptable to simply sit down. Staff will usually approach you shortly thereafter. If you need to get the attention of a server, a polite "Yeogi-yo" (Yoh-gee-yo - meaning "over here") is commonly used.

Deciphering the Menu and Placing Your Order

Once seated, the next step is to navigate the menu. While some popular tourist-heavy restaurants may offer English menus, it is not a guarantee. This section provides the phrases you will need to ask for a menu, understand what is on offer, and confidently place your order.

Asking for the Menu

Your server will typically bring you a menu, but if not, here is how to ask.

• "Menyu-pan juseyo" (Men-yoo-pan joo-se-yo): Please give me the menu.
  • "Juseyo" means "please give me" and is an incredibly useful phrase to know.

Understanding Menu Categories and Asking About Dishes

Korean menus often categorize dishes by main ingredient or type. Look for sections like "Gogi" (meat), "Jjigae" (stew), "Bap" (rice), and "Myeon" (noodles). If you encounter items without English translations, these phrases will help.

• "Igeos-eun mueos-imnikka?" (Ee-geot-eun moo-eot-eem-nee-kka): What is this?
  • Point to the dish on the menu when asking.
• "Maewoyo?" (Mae-wo-yo): Is it spicy?
  • A crucial question for many international palates!
• "Gogi deureo isseoyo?" (Go-gee deu-reo ee-sseo-yo): Does it contain meat?
• "Go-chu-garu isseoyo?" (Go-choo-ga-roo ee-sseo-yo): Does it contain chili powder?
  • Useful for those sensitive to spice or with certain dietary restrictions.

Placing Your Order

Once you have made your decision, simply state the name of the dish, often followed by the quantity, and then "juseyo."

• "___ juseyo" (___ joo-se-yo): Please give me ___. (e.g., "Bibimbap juseyo" - Please give me bibimbap.)
• "___ han-gae juseyo" (___ han-gae joo-se-yo): Please give me one ___.
  • "Han-gae" is for counting individual items.
• "___ du-gae juseyo" (___ doo-gae joo-se-yo): Please give me two ___.
  • "Du-gae" for two items. For numbers beyond two, knowing the Korean native numbers is helpful (see "Insider Tips" section).

Here is a table of common Korean menu items and how to order them:

Internal Linking Opportunity: For a more in-depth guide on specific Korean dishes and their ingredients, consider checking out our "Ultimate Guide to Korean Cuisine."

Essential Dining Phrases & Requests

During your meal, you might need to ask for more of something, adjust your dish, or communicate specific needs. These phrases will ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable dining experience.

Requesting Side Dishes (Banchan)

Korean meals famously come with a variety of complimentary side dishes called "banchan" (ban-chan). These are often refillable, and asking for more is perfectly normal.

• "Banchan jom deo juseyo" (Ban-chan jom deo joo-se-yo): Please give me more side dishes.
• "Kimchi jom deo juseyo" (Kim-chi jom deo joo-se-yo): Please give me more kimchi.
  • You can substitute "Kimchi" with the name of any other specific banchan you would like more of.

Asking for More Water or Napkins

Basic necessities like water and napkins are often self-service, but sometimes you might need to ask a server.

• "Mul jom deo juseyo" (Mool jom deo joo-se-yo): Please give me more water.
• "Hyu-ji jom juseyo" (Hyoo-jee jom joo-se-yo): Please give me napkins/tissue.
  • "Hyu-ji" broadly refers to tissue paper, which includes napkins.
• "Spoon juseyo" (Spoon joo-se-yo): Please give me a spoon.
• "Jeotgarak juseyo" (Jeot-ga-rak joo-se-yo): Please give me chopsticks.

Handling Dietary Restrictions

Communicating dietary needs can be challenging, but these phrases can help convey common restrictions. Be prepared to be patient and perhaps use a translation app for complex requests.

• "Jeoneun gogi an meogeoyo" (Jeon-eun go-gee an meo-geo-yo): I do not eat meat. (For vegetarians, specifying "gogi" (meat) is key).
• "Jeoneun saeng-seon an meogeoyo" (Jeon-eun saeng-seon an meo-geo-yo): I do not eat fish.
• "Jeoneun daejigogi an meogeoyo" (Jeon-eun dae-jee-go-gee an meo-geo-yo): I do not eat pork.
• "Jeoneun so-gogi an meogeoyo" (Jeon-eun so-go-gee an meo-geo-yo): I do not eat beef.
• "Allereugi isseoyo: () " (Al-ler-gy ee-sseo-yo: ()): I have an allergy to: (__).
  • Fill in the blank with the allergen. Common allergens: "Ttangkong" (peanuts), "Uyu" (milk), "Gyeran" (egg), "Milgaru" (flour/wheat).
  • CRITICAL NOTE: While these phrases are helpful, severe allergies require extreme caution. Cross-contamination is a possibility, and comprehensive understanding of ingredients may be difficult. Consider visiting restaurants known for catering to specific dietary needs or using a pre-written card in Korean.

Common Requests During the Meal

You might want your food adjusted to your preference.

• "Deol maepge haejuseyo" (Deol mae-pge hae-joo-se-yo): Please make it less spicy.
• "Deo maepge haejuseyo" (Deo mae-pge hae-joo-se-yo): Please make it spicier.
• "Jjageopge haejuseyo" (Jja-geo-pge hae-joo-se-yo): Please make it less salty.
• "Ddeugeopge haejuseyo" (Ddeu-geop-ge hae-joo-se-yo): Please make it hot (temperature).

The Korean BBQ Experience: Ordering Like a Pro

Korean barbecue, or "gogi-gui," is a quintessential dining experience that you absolutely cannot miss. It is a communal affair where various cuts of meat are grilled at your table, often by the diners themselves, or sometimes with assistance from the staff.

Ordering Meat & Sides

Most Korean BBQ restaurants specialize in various cuts of beef (so-gogi) and pork (daeji-gogi). You typically order meat by servings ("in-bun").

• "Samgyeopsal (pork belly) han-in-bun juseyo" (Sam-gyeop-sal han-in-boon joo-se-yo): Please give me one serving of pork belly.
• "Moksal (pork neck) du-in-bun juseyo" (Mok-sal doo-in-boon joo-se-yo): Please give me two servings of pork neck.
• "Galbi (ribs) sam-in-bun juseyo" (Gal-bi sam-in-boon joo-se-yo): Please give me three servings of ribs.
  • You can specify beef ribs as "so-galbi" or pork ribs as "dwaeji-galbi."
• "Soju han-byeong juseyo" (So-joo han-byeong joo-se-yo): Please give me one bottle of Soju (a popular Korean alcoholic beverage).
• "Maekju han-byeong juseyo" (Maek-joo han-byeong joo-se-yo): Please give me one bottle of beer.

Grilling Etiquette & Assistance

In many restaurants, especially during busy hours or if they notice you are unfamiliar, staff may help you grill the meat to perfection. Do not hesitate to accept their assistance.

• "Gowo-juseyo" (Go-wo-joo-se-yo): Please grill it for me.
  • You can politely ask for assistance if needed, though often it is offered without asking.
• "Han-ip" (Han-ip): One bite (often used when staff feed you a piece of meat from the grill).

Wrapping & Eating Techniques

A core part of the BBQ experience is making a "ssam" (ssam). This involves taking a lettuce or perilla leaf, adding a piece of grilled meat, often with some grilled kimchi, garlic, and "ssamjang" (a spicy dipping sauce), then wrapping it up and eating it in one bite.

• "Ssamjang jom deo juseyo" (Ssam-jang jom deo joo-se-yo): Please give me more ssamjang.
• "Sangchu jom deo juseyo" (Sang-choo jom deo joo-se-yo): Please give me more lettuce.

Here is a table of popular Korean BBQ meats and related phrases:

Insider Knowledge: Most BBQ restaurants have a minimum order of two servings for meat, especially if you are dining alone or with a small group. Do not be surprised if they request this.

Paying the Bill & Leaving a Korean Restaurant

After a satisfying meal, the final step is to pay the bill. The process is generally straightforward and differs slightly from Western customs, especially regarding tipping.

Asking for the Bill

You can signal to a server or go to the counter near the entrance (often clearly marked with a cashier).

• "Gyesanseo juseyo" (Gye-san-seo joo-se-yo): Please give me the bill.
• "Kye-san-hal-geyo" (Kye-san-hal-ge-yo): I will pay (or "I want to pay").
  • This is a more direct way of saying you are ready to settle the bill.

Payment Methods

Most modern Korean establishments accept credit cards, but it is always wise to carry some cash, especially for smaller eateries or street food vendors.

• "Kadeu-ro halgeyo" (Ka-deu-ro hal-ge-yo): I will pay by card.
• "Hyeongeum-euro halgeyo" (Hyeon-geum-eu-ro hal-ge-yo): I will pay by cash.
• "Yeongsujeung juseyo" (Yeong-soo-jeung joo-se-yo): Please give me a receipt.

Tipping Etiquette

This is crucial for international visitors: Tipping is generally not customary or expected in Korean restaurants. The service charge is usually included in the price, and trying to leave extra money might even cause confusion. Simply pay the exact amount and express your gratitude.

Expressing Gratitude

A polite farewell and thank you are always appreciated.

• "Jal meogeosseumnida" (Jal meo-geo-sseum-nee-da): I ate well (thank you for the meal).
  • This is the standard, polite way to thank the staff after eating.
• "Gamsahamnida" (Gam-sa-ham-nee-da): Thank you.
  • A general thank you that can be used upon leaving.

Insider Tips for a Smooth Dining Experience in Korea

Beyond just phrases, understanding a few local customs and practical strategies can significantly enhance your Korean dining experience.

Learning Basic Numbers

Knowing the Sino-Korean numbers for ordering quantities and understanding prices is extremely useful.

• Il (eel): One
• I (ee): Two
• Sam (sam): Three
• Sa (sa): Four
• O (oh): Five
• Yuk (yook): Six
• Chil (cheel): Seven
• Pal (pal): Eight
• Gu (goo): Nine
• Sip (ship): Ten
  • For counting items (like servings of meat), Koreans often use native Korean numbers for small quantities (han-gae, du-gae, se-gae for 1, 2, 3 items), but Sino-Korean is widely understood for pricing and general numbers. For people, "in-bun" (servings/people) often takes Sino-Korean numbers (e.g., "sam-in-bun" for three servings).

Using Translation Apps

Always have a reliable translation app like Papago (Naver Papago is particularly good for Korean) or Google Translate on your phone. You can type in phrases, use voice input, or even use the camera feature to translate menus on the fly. This is your best friend for understanding complex dishes or dietary restrictions.

Observing Local Customs

• Share your food: Korean dining is very communal. It is common to order multiple dishes and share them, especially stews and barbecue.
• Do not waste food: Try to finish your main meal, especially rice. While you can leave banchan, wasting a lot is generally frowned upon.
• Pour for others: If you are drinking with company, especially with elders or superiors, it is customary to pour drinks for others and wait for them to pour for you.
• Do not stick chopsticks upright in rice: This resembles rituals for the deceased and is considered bad luck.

Popular Restaurant Types and Price Expectations

Korea offers a vast range of restaurant types, each with its own charm and price point. Here is a general guide to what you might expect in 2026:

• Gukbap (Rice Soup) Restaurants: Affordable and hearty, typically around 8,000-12,000 Korean Won (KRW) per bowl.
• Kimchi Jjigae / Sundubu Jjigae (Stew) Restaurants: Another budget-friendly option, 7,000-11,000 KRW per serving.
• Korean BBQ Restaurants: Prices vary greatly by meat type and quality. Expect 15,000-25,000 KRW per serving of pork belly/neck, and 25,000-40,000 KRW for beef ribs. Generally, you order at least two servings.
• Casual Korean Restaurants (e.g., Kimbap Cheonguk): Offers a wide range of popular dishes like kimbap, ramyeon, bibimbap, often 4,000-9,000 KRW.
• Pojangmacha (Street Stalls): These tented street eateries offer a unique experience with dishes like tteokbokki, odeng, and sundae. Prices are generally low, 3,000-10,000 KRW per item.

Here is a sample price guide for common Korean dishes (estimated for 2026):

Handling Specific Situations

Sometimes, dining out involves unexpected scenarios. Here is how to handle a few common ones.

When the Restaurant is Busy

If you enter a busy restaurant and are unsure if there is a waiting list, look for a sign-up sheet or simply ask.

• "Eolmana gidaryeoya haeyo?" (Eol-ma-na gee-da-ryeo-ya hae-yo): How long do I have to wait?
• "Jari isseoyo?" (Ja-ri ee-sseo-yo): Is there a seat available?

Dealing with Language Barriers Graciously

Even with phrases and translation apps, you might encounter situations where communication is difficult.

• Patience and Politeness: Always remain polite and patient. A smile goes a long way.
• Pointing: Do not be afraid to point at menu items, ingredients, or pictures.
• Simple Gestures: Miming eating or drinking can sometimes help convey your needs.

Ordering Takeout or Delivery

While this guide focuses on dining in, it is good to know basic phrases for taking food to go.

• "Pojang haejuseyo" (Po-jang hae-joo-se-yo): Please pack it for takeout.
  • This is useful if you have leftovers or want to order food to eat elsewhere.
• "Delivery dwaeyo?" (Delivery dwae-yo): Is delivery possible?
  • For a deeper dive into Korea's incredibly efficient food delivery system using apps like Baemin or Yogiyo, check out our "Korea Food Delivery Guide for Expats."

Frequently Asked Questions About Ordering Food in Korea

Here are some common questions international visitors have about dining in Korean restaurants:

1. Do I need to tip in Korean restaurants? No, tipping is not customary or expected in Korean restaurants. The service charge is usually included in the prices. Simply pay the exact amount.

2. Are Korean restaurants generally vegetarian-friendly? It can be challenging, but not impossible. Many traditional Korean dishes contain meat broth, fish sauce, or hidden meat ingredients. Phrases like "Gogi an meogeoyo" (I don't eat meat) are helpful, but always double-check. For severe dietary restrictions, researching dedicated vegetarian or vegan restaurants beforehand is highly recommended.

3. What is banchan? Banchan refers to the small, complimentary side dishes served with almost every Korean meal. These can include kimchi, pickled radishes, seasoned vegetables, and more. They are typically refillable, so do not hesitate to ask for more.

4. Can I pay with a foreign credit card? Most mid-to-large-sized restaurants and franchises accept foreign credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). However, it is always wise to carry some Korean Won (cash) for smaller, local eateries, street food stalls, or if a card machine is temporarily out of service.

5. Is it common to share dishes in Korea? Yes, it is very common and even encouraged to share dishes, especially for communal items like stews (jjigae) and Korean barbecue. Ordering multiple dishes to share among your group is a core part of the Korean dining culture.

Conclusion

Navigating a Korean restaurant, from ordering your favorite dishes to paying the bill, does not have to be an intimidating experience. By arming yourself with these essential phrases, understanding common dining etiquette, and utilizing modern tools like translation apps, you are well on your way to a confident and incredibly delicious culinary journey in Korea.

Remember, Koreans appreciate any effort you make to speak their language, and a simple "Annyeonghaseyo" or "Gamsahamnida" can go a long way. Do not be afraid to practice, point, or even ask for help. The vibrant flavors and unique atmosphere of Korean dining await you. So go forth, be brave, and savor every moment of your delicious adventure. "Jal meogeosseumnida!" – enjoy your meal!