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?
Resources for further reading:
Korean Restaurant Phrases
Korea has its own dining etiquette, which can feel unfamiliar to Westerners. Certain eating sounds, such as light slurping when eating noodles or soup, are generally acceptable and not considered rude. One important rule to remember is never stick your chopsticks upright into a bowl of rice, as this resembles a ritual offering for the dead and is associated with funerals.
You can eat well in Korea on any budget. Street stalls sell freshly made cheap 간식 (ganshik) "snacks" and small family-run restaurants offer full meals and side dishes, called 반찬 (banchan) for just a few dollars.
Well, I’m starving! Can you recommend a good restaurant?
Here are some common types of eating and drinking establishments in South Korea.
Practice Your Pronunciation With Rocket Record
In traditional Korean restaurants you may find low tables and floor cushions. 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 여기요 (yeogiyo) "excuse me."
Side Dishes
A typical Korean meal usually consists of rice, soup, and various side dishes of vegetables and meats, all served together, Here are the names of some dishes that you might find on the menu:
Kimchi
Soup
Soup is always part of a traditional Korean meal. It can be served as a main dish, or if it's a small portion of light soup, it is served simultaneously with the rest of the dishes.
Rice
Rice is served separately in an individual bowl. Korean rice is slightly sticky, and is the most important part of the meal. Koreans add various ingredients to it like barley, millet, peas, and beans.
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:
Placing Your Order
To order the dish you want, simply say:
Making Payment
Once you’ve finished your meal you‘ll need to ask for the bill:
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:
That’s all for this lesson, enjoy your next Korean meal!
Here are a few recommended Korean lessons to try next!
- There's lots of wonderful sights in Korea. Let's talk about sightseeing in Korean.
- All about the parts of the body in Korean.
- This lesson is all about using a computer in Korean.
안녕히 가세요! (Annyeonghi gaseyo!) "Goodbye!"
Sujung Lee: Rocket Korean