Dining at a Korean restaurant can be an exciting yet daunting experience, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the language. Knowing just a few key Korean phrases can make a huge difference in your dining experience, helping you order confidently and even impressing the restaurant staff. In this guide, we’ll cover five essential Korean words to master when ordering food, plus a few things you should never say to avoid any awkward situations.
5 Essential Korean Words for Ordering Like a Pro
1. Juseyo (주세요) – “Please give me…”
The most fundamental word you’ll need at any restaurant is juseyo (주세요), which means “please give me.” Simply pair this with the dish or drink you want, and you’ll sound polite and natural.
✅ Example:
- Kimchi juseyo (김치 주세요) – “Please give me kimchi.”
- Soju juseyo (소주 주세요) – “Please give me soju.”
2. Igeo (이거) – “This one”
If you’re unsure about pronunciation, you can always point at a menu item or dish and say igeo juseyo (이거 주세요), which means “Please give me this.”
✅ Example:
- If you can’t read the menu, simply point and say, “Igeo juseyo.”
3. Maeun (매운) – “Spicy”
Korean food can be incredibly spicy, so it’s good to know how to control the heat level. If you love spice, you can request extra heat with “Maeun-ge juseyo” (매운 게 주세요) meaning “Please make it spicy.” If you prefer mild food, say “An maeun-ge juseyo” (안 매운 게 주세요) which means “Please make it not spicy.”
✅ Example:
- Bibimbap an maeun-ge juseyo (비빔밥 안 매운 게 주세요) – “Please make my bibimbap not spicy.”
4. Gyesan-hae juseyo (계산해 주세요) – “Check, please.”
When you’re ready to pay, call over a staff member and say gyesan-hae juseyo to politely ask for the bill.
✅ Example:
- Jeo gyesan-hae juseyo. (저 계산해 주세요.) – “Please bring me the check.”
5. Masisseoyo (맛있어요) – “It’s delicious!”
Want to impress the staff and show appreciation? Say Masisseoyo! (맛있어요) to compliment the food. Korean restaurant owners love hearing this, and it may even earn you some extra side dishes!
✅ Example:
- “Kimchi jjigae masisseoyo!” (김치찌개 맛있어요!) – “This kimchi stew is delicious!”
What You Should NEVER Say at a Korean Restaurant
❌ “Just bring me whatever.”
Korean restaurants take pride in their dishes, and vague requests can be confusing. It’s better to ask for recommendations by saying, “Mwo ga maeu masisseoyo?” (뭐가 매우 맛있어요?) which means “What is very delicious?”
❌ “I don’t want banchan.”
Korean meals always come with banchan (반찬) or side dishes, and refusing them might come off as strange or even rude. Even if you don’t eat everything, accept them politely.
❌ “Can you make it exactly like [non-Korean dish]?”
Korean restaurants have their own cooking style, and asking them to change their food into a non-Korean version can be offensive. Instead, ask for small modifications like less spice or no seafood.
Final Tips for a Great Dining Experience
- Be polite and say “Gamsahamnida” (감사합니다) to thank the staff.
- Don’t waste banchan; take only what you can eat.
- If sharing dishes, use communal chopsticks instead of your own.
By using these five magic words and avoiding common mistakes, you’ll navigate a Korean restaurant like a pro. Enjoy your meal—Jal meokgesseumnida! (잘 먹겠습니다!)