50 Essential Korean Phrases to Avoid Restaurant Mistakes

Ordering food in Korea seems straightforward—until you open the menu.
Many dish names follow tradition rather than direct translation, and subtle cultural nuances can change what appears on your table. Without the right phrases, even a simple order can bring unexpected surprises.

This guide gives you 50 essential Korean phrases to order with confidence, avoid menu mix-ups, and enjoy your meal like a local. Along the way, you’ll also pick up cultural tips and real expat insights to make dining in Korea a fun, stress-free experience.

Common Menu Surprises in Korea

In Korea, menu names are more about tradition than precise descriptions. Here are a few examples that surprise many foreigners:

• Vegetable Kimbap (야채김밥): Often contains ham or Spam along with vegetables. In Korea, “vegetable” can mean “mostly vegetables, plus some protein.”

• Soft Tofu Stew (순두부찌개): Even the “mild” version can be bright red and moderately spicy.

• Dumpling Soup (만두국): The broth may include anchovy or beef stock, which can be a problem for vegetarians.

• Bibimbap (비빔밥): In some regions, it comes with raw beef (육회) on top unless you specify otherwise.

• Seafood Pancake (해물파전): The “seafood” could include squid, mussels, or shrimp—all in one pancake.

Regional variations can also confuse diners. For example, kimchi stew (김치찌개) in Jeolla province might be richer and spicier than the same dish in Seoul. Likewise, side dishes (반찬) can vary dramatically—sometimes you’ll get five, sometimes twelve.

Knowing these quirks will help you set realistic expectations. But to truly avoid surprises, you need the right Korean phrases to explain your preferences.

50 Essential Phrases for Ordering Food

Below are practical phrases grouped by situation. Use polite endings (“-요”) in casual dining, and more formal ones in upscale restaurants.

Allergies & Dietary Restrictions

1. 저는 ○○ 알레르기가 있어요. (jeo-neun ○○ alle-reu-gi-ga i-sseo-yo) – I’m allergic to ○○.

2. 이 음식에 ○○ 들어있나요? – Does this dish contain ○○?

3. ○○ 없이 해주세요. – Please make it without ○○.

4. 고기 없이 해주세요. – Please make it without meat.

5. 해산물 없이 해주세요. – Please make it without seafood.

Cooking Method Requests

6. 덜 맵게 해주세요. – Please make it less spicy.

7. 맵지 않게 해주세요. – Please make it not spicy.

8. 더 익혀 주세요. – Please cook it more.

9. 소스는 따로 주세요. – Please serve the sauce on the side.

10. 기름을 적게 써주세요. – Please use less oil.

Portion & Serving

11. 양을 조금만 주세요. – Please give me a smaller portion.

12. 많이 주세요. – Please give me more.

13. 1인분이에요? – Is this for one person?

14. 2인분으로 주세요. – Please make it for two people.

15. 반만 주세요. – Just give me half.

Take-out & Dine-in

16. 포장돼요? – Do you do take-out?

17. 포장해 주세요. – Please pack it to go.

18. 여기서 먹을게요. – I’ll eat here.

19. 배달돼요? – Do you deliver?

20. 배달해 주세요. – Please deliver.

Clarifying Ingredients

21. 이게 뭐예요? – What is this?

22. 국물에 고기 들어있어요? – Does the soup have meat in it?

23. 김치에 새우젓 들어있어요? – Does the kimchi have salted shrimp in it?

24. 유제품 들어있어요? – Does it contain dairy?

25. 버터 대신 식물성 기름 써주세요. – Please use vegetable oil instead of butter.

Special Requests

26. 얼음 빼주세요. – No ice, please.

27. 따뜻하게 주세요. – Please serve it hot.

28. 차갑게 주세요. – Please serve it cold.

29. 덜 달게 해주세요. – Please make it less sweet.

30. 설탕 넣지 마세요. – Please don’t add sugar.

Checking & Confirming

31. 이거 맞아요? – Is this the correct dish?

32. 주문 다시 확인해 주세요. – Please confirm my order.

33. 이거 ○○ 없이 만든 거 맞아요? – Are you sure this is without ○○?

34. 이게 순한 맛이에요? – Is this the mild flavor?

35. 이게 제 주문이에요? – Is this my order?

Paying & Wrapping Up

36. 계산서 주세요. – Please give me the bill.

37. 카드 돼요? – Do you take cards?

38. 현금만 돼요? – Do you only take cash?

39. 나눠서 계산해 주세요. – Please split the bill.

40. 포인트 적립돼요? – Can I collect points?

Positive Feedback & Politeness

41. 맛있어요! – It’s delicious!

42. 정말 좋아요. – I really like it.

43. 감사합니다. – Thank you.

44. 수고하세요. – Keep up the good work.

45. 잘 먹었습니다. – Thank you for the meal.

Emergency or Urgent Cases

46. 너무 매워요. – It’s too spicy.

47. 속이 안 좋아요. – I don’t feel well.

48. 물 좀 주세요. – Please give me some water.

49. 화장실 어디예요? – Where is the bathroom?

50. 응급차 불러 주세요. – Please call an ambulance.

💡 Tip: Even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect, trying to speak Korean shows effort and earns goodwill. Pair these phrases with a smile and polite tone—you’ll be surprised how much smoother your dining experiences become.

Translation Apps vs Real-Life Expressions

Many foreigners rely on translation apps like Google Translate or Papago when ordering food in Korea. These tools are helpful, but they’re not perfect—especially for menus.

For example, a translation app might render “순두부찌개” as “Soft Bean Curd Stew,” which sounds mild and gentle in English. But in reality, it’s often bright red and spicy. Similarly, “잡채” may appear as “Mixed Vegetables,” which misses the fact that it contains glass noodles and sometimes meat.

Limitations of Apps:

• They may translate literally, ignoring cultural context.

• Regional slang or shortened menu names might confuse them.

• Nuances like “less spicy” vs “no spice at all” often get lost.

Why Real-Life Expressions Work Better:
Using short, clear Korean phrases from Section 3 helps staff understand exactly what you mean. Even if you use a translation app, showing the Korean phrase on screen or speaking it yourself increases accuracy.

💡 Tip: Combine both methods. Use the app to check unfamiliar menu words, then say your request in Korean. This builds trust with staff and reduces misunderstandings.

Avoiding Cultural Faux Pas at Restaurants

Korean dining culture comes with its own unspoken rules. Following them makes you stand out—in a good way.

Ordering Etiquette:

• In casual eateries, order everything at once. Repeated small orders may be seen as inconvenient.

• Calling staff with a polite “여기요” or “저기요” is normal, though you may also hear “사장님” or “이모님” in small, family-run places. Avoid shouting or waving too aggressively.

Seating & Serving:

• In many restaurants, you seat yourself. In others, staff will guide you.

• Sharing dishes is common. If eating with Koreans, place food in the middle for everyone.

Paying:

• Payment is usually made at the front counter, not at the table.

• Splitting the bill is possible, but less common. If you ask, say: “나눠서 계산해 주세요.”

Food Waste:

• Koreans value not wasting food. Leaving too much on your plate might be considered rude. If unsure about portion size, ask for less from the start.

By being aware of these small cultural details, you’ll avoid awkward moments and make your meal more enjoyable for both you and the staff.

Real Stories from Expats

Sometimes the best lessons come from real experiences. Here are a few true stories shared by expats on Reddit and expat forums:

1. The Spicy Soup Surprise

“I ordered 순한 순두부찌개 (mild soft tofu stew), but my lips were on fire after two bites. The owner said, ‘This is mild for us!’ I learned to say ‘맵지 않게, 고춧가루 빼주세요’ instead.”

2. The Hidden Meat in ‘Vegetable’ Dishes

“As a vegetarian, I ordered 야채김밥 (vegetable kimbap). I was shocked to find ham inside. The staff explained it’s standard unless you specifically ask for no meat. Now I always say ‘고기 없이’ when ordering.”

3. The Lost in Translation Moment

“I used Google Translate to ask for ‘no seafood’ in my pancake. The app translated it literally, and I got a confused look. I showed them the Korean phrase ‘해산물 없이 해주세요’—problem solved.”

4. The Portion Size Confusion

“I ordered a stew thinking it was a single serving, but it came in a huge pot meant for two. Now I always check: ‘이거 1인분이에요?’ before ordering.”

5. The Friendly Correction

“I mispronounced 물 (water) as 불 (fire) and got some laughs from the staff. They kindly taught me the right pronunciation. Now I double-check my vowels!”

These stories highlight a common theme: small phrases make a big difference. Whether it’s avoiding unexpected ingredients or clarifying portion sizes, knowing the right Korean words can save you from awkward or uncomfortable dining moments.

Quick Cheat Sheet – Printable & Mobile Friendly

Here’s a quick reference you can save on your phone or print out. These are the most frequently used phrases when ordering food in Korea:

Ordering food in Korea doesn’t have to be stressful. With a few key phrases, some cultural awareness, and a bit of humor, you can turn every meal into an opportunity for connection.

Mistakes will still happen—but that’s part of the adventure. Each small win, like successfully ordering your favorite dish without unexpected ingredients, will boost your confidence.

So next time you walk into a Korean restaurant, remember: smile, speak slowly, and don’t be afraid to try. You’re not just ordering food—you’re sharing a moment of culture. And that’s the best part of eating like a local. 

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