Restaurant in Korean

If you like to try different kinds of food and enjoy Asian food in particular, you’ll have a wonderful time in Korea. Perhaps you’re dining out with Korean family or friends closer to home. Either way - imagine the satisfaction of being able to order in a restaurant in Korean.

Are you vegetarian? Need more rice? Ready for the bill? No problem!

This Rocket Korean lesson will teach you the basics so you can get the most out of your experience, and impress your companions! Listen to the audio and practice saying these Korean words and phrases aloud. When you’re ready, why not try them out on the staff at a local Korean restaurant?

Did You Know?

Korea has its own dining etiquette, which may seem unique to Westerners. For example, it is perfectly acceptable and even considered appreciative of the meal to make slurping sounds when eating. On the other hand, beware of sticking your chopsticks upright into the rice – as this is considered a sign of death!

You can eat well in Korea on any budget. Street stalls sell freshly made cheap ganshik (snacks); small family-run restaurants offer full meals and side dishes, called banchan for just a few dollars.

Well, I’m starving! Bae gopayo! Can you recommend a good restaurant?

Pronunciation help for inside a restaurant in Korean...

Here are some common types of eating and drinking establishments in South Korea.

음식점

eumsikjeom

restaurant

레스토랑

Reseutorang

Restaurants serving Koreanized Western-style food

한식점

Hanshik jum

Restaurants specializing in Korean-style food.

중국 음식점

Joongook eumshikjum

Chinese restaurants, popular in Korea and cheap

분식집

Boonshik jip

Fast-food restaurants, reasonably priced for young people

다방

dabang

Café-style shops where coffee, tea, and soft drinks are served

술집

sooljip

Bars or drinking houses

바

pbah

Bar where drinks and snacks are served

맥주집

maekjoo jip

Beer hall. Some offer live entertainment.

In traditional Korean restaurants you may find low tables and bangsuk (a floor cushion). You may want to make sure your socks don’t have any holes, as you’re required to remove your shoes in these restaurants!

When you’re ready to order, call for the waiter or waitress by saying Yugiyo.

여기요!

Yugiyo!

Waiter! / Waitress!

The waiter or waitress will attend you politely and may ask one of the following questions…

주문하시겠습니까?

Joomoon hashigetseumnikga?

Would you like to order?

뭐가 좋을까요?

Maw ga joeulkgayo?

What would you like?

뭐 드시고 싶으세요?

Maw deushigo shipeuseyo?

What would you like to eat?

Sometimes all they may ask is…

네, 좋아요.

Ne, jowayo.

Yes, please.

You could answer by saying one of these phrases…

이거 주세요.

Eeguh jooseyo.

I’ll have this.

Or, if you’re unsure what a certain dish is, you can ask…

이게 뭐에요?

Eege mawyeyo?

What is this?

이게 뭔지 말해 주실래요?

Eege mawnji malhae jooshilaeyo?

Can you tell me what this is?

Not sure what you feel like eating? Just ask the waiter what he recommends…

세트 메뉴 있어요?

Seteu menyoo itsuyo?

Do you have a set menu?

오늘 추천 메뉴는 뭐에요?

Oneul choochun menyoo neun mawyeyo?

What is the dish of the day?

이집 제일 잘하는 요리가 뭐에요?

Eejip jeil jalhaneun yoriga mawyeyo?

What is the specialty of the house?

The majority of restaurants don’t indicate vegetarian food but there are always some dishes for vegetarians on the menu. Don’t hesitate to ask!

전 채식주의자에요.

Jun chaeshik jooeuija yeyo.

I am a vegetarian.

전 고기를 안 먹어요.

Jun gogi reul an muguyo.

I don’t eat meat.

채식메뉴 있어요?

Chaeshik menyoo itsuyo?

Do you have any vegetarian dishes?

어느 음식이 고기 안 들어간건가요?

Uneu eumshik ee gogi an deurugan gungayo?

Which dishes have no meat?

kimchi

Side dish made of pickled, preserved vegetables. Hot and spicy.

namool

Side dish made of seasoned vegetables (fresh/dried), herbs, and roots.

Saengsun gooey

Dishes of seasoned broiled fish

mandoo

Dumplings made of meat, vegetables and soybean curd

SOUP

Soup is always part of a traditional Korean meal. It can be served as a main dish, or if a small portion of light soup, it is served simultaneously with the rest of the dishes.

삼계탕

samgyetang

Ginseng chicken soup

야채죽

yachaegook

Vegetable soup

미역국

meeyukgook

Seaweed soup

된장국

Dwenjang-gook

Soybean paste soup

RICE

Bap (rice) is served separately in an individual bowl. Korean bap is slightly sticky, and is the most important part of the meal. Koreans add various ingredients to it like barley, millet, peas and beans.

비빔밥

Bibim bap

Rice topped with parboiled fern bracken, bluebell root, soybean sprouts, spinach, and fried egg, mixed with red pepper sauce.

팥밥

Pat bap

Rice with red-beans

콩나물 밥

Kongnamool bap

Rice cooked with bean sprouts

MEAT

It is not easy to find vegetarian choices in Korea – as its food culture is based primarily on meat dishes. Here’s a list of the most common types of meat:

소고기

sogogi

beef

소세지

sawseji

sausages

염통

yumtong

kidneys

닭고기

dakgogi

chicken

오리고기

origogi

duck

간

gan

liver

햄

haem

ham

스테이크

seuteikeu

steak

돼지고기

dwaeji gogi

pork

베이컨

beikon

bacon

불고기

Boolgogi

Barbecued beef dishes

갈비찜

Galbi tjim

Beef-rib stew

닭찜

Dak tjim

Chicken stewed with vegetables and soy sauce.

In order to get the dish you want simply say…

[...] 로 할게요.

[…] ro halaeyo.

I’ll have…

[...] 주세요.

[…] jooseyo.

I’d like a(n)…

Once you’ve finished your meal you‘ll need to ask for the bill…

계산서 주세요.

Gyesansuh jooseyo.

The bill, please.

A service charge of 10% is normally added to the restaurant bill. Tipping is optional but appreciated. Lastly, if your meal was satisfying, you may want to thank the waiter or waitress.