Ever walked into a Korean restaurant, smelled the amazing sizzling barbecue, and felt a tiny bit of panic? You're not alone! Knowing how to order in Korean can feel like a big step, but it's much easier than you think. Learning a few key phrases not only gets you delicious food but also opens up a richer, more authentic cultural experience.

This guide will walk you through everything, from getting a table to paying the bill. We'll cover the essential phrases you need, like asking for a table (두 명 자리 있어요? - du myeong jari isseoyo?) and politely calling a server (저기요! - jeogiyo!). Don’t worry if you make mistakes — what matters most is progress. Let’s learn how to order in Korean with total confidence!

Getting a Table With Confidence

Alright, first things first: getting seated. As you walk in, look for a staff member near the door. Your goal is simple—just let them know how many people are in your party.

Even if your Korean is limited, a smile and holding up your fingers works wonders. But to really impress, try this polite and easy phrase:

• 두 명 자리 있어요? (Du myeong jari isseoyo?) – “Do you have a table for two?”

Simply swap out the number for your group size. For three people, it’s “세 명” (se myeong), and for four, it’s “네 명” (ne myeong). The staff will then show you to your table or tell you if you need to wait. Easy as that.

How to Politely Get the Server’s Attention

In most Korean restaurants, sitting back and waiting for someone to come to you might mean you’re waiting a while. You need to be a little proactive. While waving your hand frantically isn't the way to go, there’s a polite and universally understood phrase that works like a charm.

Just call out in a clear, friendly voice:

• 저기요! (Jeogiyo!) – “Excuse me!”

Don’t be timid about it! This is the standard way to get someone's attention. In newer spots or many Korean BBQ joints, you might also find a call button right on your table. If you see one, just give it a press, and a server will be there in no time.

Making Sense of the Menu

Korean menus can look like a beautiful but confusing puzzle, especially if they're written entirely in Hangul (the Korean alphabet). Don't panic. They usually have a pretty logical flow.

Look for headers that group dishes by type. Common categories include:

• 찌개류 (Jjigae-ryu) – Stews
• 고기류 (Gogi-ryu) – Meat dishes (usually the ones you grill yourself)
• 식사류 (Siksa-ryu) – Meal-in-one dishes, like bibimbap or noodle soups

When in doubt, asking for a recommendation is your best move. It's a great way to discover the restaurant's speciality or most-loved dish.

Just point to the menu and say this simple phrase:

• 추천해 주세요. (Chucheonhae juseyo.) – “Please recommend something.”

More often than not, you'll be pointed toward something absolutely delicious. Nailing these first few steps gives you a solid foundation for a fantastic dining experience.

Placing Your Order with Essential Phrases

Alright, you’re settled in, menu in hand. This is the moment of truth: placing your order. Don't sweat it. You really only need a handful of key phrases to order like you've been doing it for years.

The most important phrase you'll learn for any Korean restaurant is 주세요 (juseyo). It’s the magic word for "Please give me." Just tack it onto the end of any menu item, and you've formed a perfect, polite request. Think of it as your golden ticket to delicious food.

Building Your Order Sentence

So, how do you use juseyo? It's incredibly simple. The structure is just [Dish Name] + [Quantity] + 주세요 (juseyo).

Let's say you're craving some classic Kimchi Jjigae. You'd say:

• 김치찌개 하나 주세요. (Kimchi-jjigae hana juseyo.) – "Please give me one Kimchi Jjigae."

One quick thing to note: when counting items like dishes, Koreans use native numbers (하나, 둘, 셋 for one, two, three). Let's try another one, this time for two orders of Bibimbap:

• 비빔밥 두 개 주세요. (Bibimbap du gae juseyo.) – "Please give me two Bibimbaps."

This simple formula is your bread and butter. It works for everything from main courses and side dishes to drinks and will see you through almost any dining situation in Korea.

Making Specific Requests

Of course, sometimes you need to ask for a bit more. What if you’re worried a dish might be too spicy, or your water glass is empty? Knowing how to handle these common situations will make your meal so much smoother.

Here are a few phrases you'll be glad you learned:

• 이거 매워요? (Igeo maewoyo?) – "Is this spicy?" This is an absolute lifesaver if you're not a fan of intense heat.
• 물 좀 주세요. (Mul jom juseyo.) – "Please give me some water." Adding the word jom (좀) softens the request, making it sound a bit more natural and polite.
• 반찬 더 주세요. (Banchan deo juseyo.) – "Please give me more side dishes." Don't be shy about asking for this—refills are almost always free and expected!

Quick Tip: After you order, the server might ask 또 필요한 거 있으세요? (Tto piryohan geo isseuseyo?), which means "Do you need anything else?" If you're all set, a simple 아니요, 괜찮아요 (Aniyo, gwaenchanayo)—"No, I'm okay"—is the perfect response.

Core Ordering Phrases at a Glance

To help all this sink in, here’s a quick-reference table with the most critical phrases for ordering. Keep these handy, and you'll feel prepared for anything the menu throws at you.

Situation	Korean Phrase (Hangul)	Romanisation	English Meaning
Ordering a specific dish	[Dish] 하나 주세요.	[Dish] hana juseyo.	Please give me one [Dish].
Asking about spiciness	이거 매워요?	Igeo maewoyo?	Is this spicy?
Requesting more water	물 좀 주세요.	Mul jom juseyo.	Please give me some water.
Asking for side dishes	반찬 더 주세요.	Banchan deo juseyo.	Please give me more side dishes.
Confirming you are ready	주문할게요.	Jumunhalgeyo.	I'd like to order.

Once you've got these phrases down, you’ll have the confidence to move beyond just pointing at pictures on the menu. It really opens the door to a more authentic and enjoyable meal, letting you focus on the amazing food you're about to eat.

Ordering in Cafes and Getting Takeout

Your Korean ordering skills aren't just for sit-down restaurants. Far from it. Korea’s cafe culture is a massive part of daily life, and grabbing food to-go is just as common. Knowing how to order in these faster-paced spots takes a slightly different, but equally simple, set of phrases.

It's this kind of practical, on-the-ground application that has so many people hooked on learning Korean. The interest isn't just a small trend; it's a global phenomenon. In fact, South Korea's Ministry of Education reported that by September 2025, a staggering 550,000 people had taken the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK)—an all-time high. This surge shows that learners are serious about genuinely communicating and diving into the culture. You can read more about this record-breaking interest over at The Korea Times.

Conquering the Cafe Counter

For many in Seoul, ordering coffee is a daily ritual. The great news? Most drink names are Konglish (Korean-style English), so they'll sound pretty familiar. You'll stick with the same trusty [Item] + [Quantity] + 주세요 (juseyo) formula we’ve already covered.

Let's say you want to order the unofficial national beverage, the Iced Americano. You'd say:

• 아이스 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요. (Aiseu Amerikano han jan juseyo.) – "One Iced Americano, please."

Here, we're using 잔 (jan), which is the specific counter for 'cup' or 'glass'. If you're with a friend, just swap out the number: 두 잔 (du jan) for two, or 세 잔 (se jan) for three.

Pro Tip: The barista will almost always ask if you're drinking in or taking out. Listen for 드시고 가세요? (Deusigo gaseyo?) for "For here?" or 가지고 가세요? (Gajigo gaseyo?) for "To go?". All you need to do is give a simple "네" (ne) to the right question.

Mastering Takeout and Delivery

Sometimes you just want to curl up at home with some delicious food. When you're getting takeout, your go-to phrase is 포장해 주세요 (Pojanghae juseyo), which simply means "Please pack it to go." You can tack this on right after you state your order.

For example:

• Customer: 김밥 두 줄 주세요. (Gimbap du jul juseyo.) – "Two rolls of gimbap, please."
• Customer: 그리고 포장해 주세요. (Geurigo pojanghae juseyo.) – "And please pack it to go."

Delivery, or 배달 (baedal), is an institution in Korea. While most ordering is now done through apps, knowing the key phrase is useful if you ever need to call a place directly. The magic words are 배달해 주세요 (Baedalhae juseyo), meaning "Please deliver." You'll then need to provide your address and phone number, but with that simple phrase, you've opened up a whole new world of Korean food adventures without ever leaving your home.

Understanding Payments and Dining Etiquette

So, you’ve enjoyed a fantastic meal, but the experience isn't quite over. Navigating the final steps—paying the bill and observing a few local customs—is what separates a good dining experience from a great one. Getting this part right will make you look like a seasoned pro.

Paying the Bill Like a Local

First things first: don't wait for the bill to arrive at your table. In Korea, it almost never will. The standard procedure is to get up and head to the counter, usually near the exit, when you're ready to leave.

Once you're at the counter, you can say:

• 계산서 주세요. (Gyesanseo juseyo.) – "The bill, please."

A slightly more natural and common phrase you'll hear is 계산할게요 (Gyesanhalgeyo), which simply means, "I'll pay now." The staff will have your table's order tallied up and ready for you.

The Culture of "Who Pays"

The custom around who picks up the tab might feel a bit different from what you're used to. While splitting the bill is becoming more common among younger Koreans, the tradition of one person treating the entire group is still very much alive. Often, this will be the oldest person at the table or whoever extended the invitation.

If you're with friends and want to suggest splitting the cost, the term you're looking for is 더치페이 (deochipei), a Konglish term derived from "Dutch pay."

Quick Tip on Tipping: Don't. Tipping isn't part of the culture in South Korea, and leaving extra cash can genuinely confuse the staff. The price you see is the price you pay. The best way to show your gratitude is with a sincere 잘 먹었습니다 (Jal meogeotseumnida), which means "I ate well."

A Few Simple Table Manners

Pairing your newfound Korean phrases with good table manners is the ultimate sign of respect. Keep these simple points in mind:

• Chopsticks 101: Never, ever stick your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice. This gesture mimics funeral rites and is considered a serious faux pas.
• Use Two Hands: When a dish is passed to you or someone pours you a drink, it's polite to receive it with both hands.
• Match the Pace: Try to eat at a similar pace to everyone else, particularly if you're dining with elders.

Little cultural details like these are becoming more and more valuable. Interest in the Korean language is exploding worldwide; a recent Duolingo report revealed it has overtaken Italian to become the sixth most studied language on their platform. By learning practical skills like dining etiquette, you’re not just learning a language—you're joining a massive, fast-growing community of culturally savvy individuals. You can discover more insights about the K-pop buzz and its effect on learning on keg.com.

Handling Special Requests and Problems

Let's face it, real-world dining rarely follows a perfect script. You might have allergies, or maybe you just can't handle spicy food. Sometimes an order gets mixed up. Knowing how to navigate these little bumps in the road is what will make you feel truly confident when eating out in Korea.

And these are exactly the kind of practical skills people are looking for. The demand for Korean language learning is booming, with the market expected to reach USD 7.2 billion in 2024. This isn't just about watching K-dramas without subtitles; it’s driven by a real need for communication skills that work in the real world—for travel, cultural immersion, or even careers with giants like Samsung or Hyundai. You can read more about this economic expansion on gminsights.com. Learning to order food is the perfect starting point.

Communicating Dietary Needs and Allergies

Your health comes first, so being able to talk about dietary restrictions is non-negotiable. Don't worry, Korean cuisine is more flexible than you might think, as long as you know the right way to ask.

The simplest way is to state what you can't eat. The formula is [Ingredient] + 못 먹어요 (mot meogeoyo).

• 저는 돼지고기를 못 먹어요. (Jeoneun dwaejigogireul mot meogeoyo.) – I can't eat pork.
• 저는 매운 음식을 못 먹어요. (Jeoneun maeun eumsigeul mot meogeoyo.) – I can't eat spicy food.

For a serious allergy, you need to be very direct. The word for allergy is 알레르기 (allereugi), which sounds pretty similar to English.

• 땅콩 알레르기 있어요. (Ttangkong allereugi isseoyo.) – I have a peanut allergy.

Once you've said that, you can point to something on the menu and double-check by asking:

• 이거 땅콩 들어가요? (Igeo ttangkong deureogayo?) – Does this have peanuts in it?

Modifying Your Order

Sometimes you just want a small tweak. Maybe you’d like a dish to be less fiery, or you absolutely despise coriander. These little phrases are your best friend for getting your meal just right.

• 덜 맵게 해주세요. (Deol maepge haejuseyo.) – Please make it less spicy.
• 고수 빼주세요. (Gosu ppaejuseyo.) – Please leave out the coriander.

A Phrase to Remember: The magic word here is 빼주세요 (ppaejuseyo), which means "please take it out" or "please remove it." You can pair it with almost any ingredient you want to avoid. It’s a super-powered phrase for customising your food.

Addressing Order Mistakes Politely

Oops, the wrong dish arrived. It happens! The key is to handle it calmly and politely.

First, get the server’s attention with a friendly 저기요 (Jeogiyo). Then, just state the problem simply and clearly.

• 이거 제가 주문한 게 아니에요. (Igeo jega jumunhan ge anieyo.) – This isn't what I ordered.
• 김치가 안 나왔어요. (Gimchiga an nawasseoyo.) – The kimchi hasn't come out yet.

A polite tone is all you need, and the staff will almost always be happy to fix it for you right away.

Expressing Your Gratitude and Enjoyment

On the flip side, saying something positive is just as important! A genuine compliment about the food is always appreciated and shows respect for the chef and staff. It’s a lovely way to end a meal.

• 정말 맛있어요! (Jeongmal masisseoyo!) – It's really delicious!
• 잘 먹었습니다! (Jal meogeotseumnida!) – I ate well!

This last one, Jal meogeotseumnida, is a classic. It’s the standard, polite phrase you say as you’re leaving, and it perfectly wraps up a great dining experience.

Mastering these phrases isn't just about getting the food you want. It's about connecting with people, showing cultural respect, and feeling completely at ease in any restaurant you walk into.

Your Korean Dining Questions Answered

So you’ve got the phrases down, but what about those little cultural details that can trip you up? It's one thing to know what to say, but another to know how things actually work on the ground. Let's run through a few common questions that pop up for first-timers in a Korean restaurant.

Think of this as a quick-fire round to clear up any lingering doubts. Getting these small things right will make your entire dining experience smoother and more enjoyable.

Do I Need to Tip at Restaurants in Korea?

Let’s get this one out of the way first. The answer is simple: no, you don't need to tip.

Tipping just isn't a part of the dining culture in Korea. In fact, if you try to leave extra money on the table, it might even cause a bit of confusion. The staff might think you forgot your change and chase you down the street to return it!

The price you see on the menu is exactly what you pay. A heartfelt “Thank you” or, even better, a sincere 잘 먹었습니다 (Jal meogeotseumnida) — "I ate well" — as you leave is the perfect way to show your appreciation.

What Is the Best Way to Call a Server?

In many Western countries, you wait for your server to check on you, but in Korea, you need to be a little more assertive. Don't worry, it's not considered rude at all; it's just how things are done.

Forget waving your hand wildly. The standard, polite way to get someone's attention is to make eye contact and call out:

• 저기요! (Jeogiyo!) – “Excuse me!”

You'll need to say it loud enough to be heard over the restaurant chatter, so don't be shy. Many modern spots, especially Korean BBQ joints, make it even easier with a call button right on the table. Just press it, and someone will be right over.

Cultural Insight: In older, more traditional eateries, you might hear locals affectionately call the staff 이모 (Imo), which means "auntie." It’s a warm, familiar term, but as a visitor, sticking with the universally understood Jeogiyo is your best and most respectful bet.

Is It Okay to Ask for My Dish to Be Less Spicy?

Absolutely! Korean food has a reputation for being fiery, but you can definitely request a milder version. Most kitchens are happy to accommodate.

The go-to phrase is:

• 덜 맵게 해주세요 (Deol maepge haejuseyo) – “Please make it less spicy.”

Keep in mind that this works best for dishes made to order, like stir-fries. For things like stews (jjigae) that are often made in large batches, adjusting the spice level might not be possible. Still, it never hurts to ask! It shows you're engaged and thoughtful about your meal.

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Learning how to order in Korean is more than just a language skill—it's your key to unlocking incredible food and connecting with the culture. With these essential phrases, you're ready to step into any restaurant with confidence. Every word you learn brings you one step closer to fluency. Keep going—your Korean journey starts now!

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