How to Order Food in Korea: Essential Phrases (2026 Guide)

By KoreaPeek / December 5, 2025

Korean restaurant ordering is different:

In Western restaurants, a server comes to you. You order when ready. They check on you periodically.

Korean restaurants? You call them.

“저기요!” (jeogiyo!) — literally “over there!” but means “excuse me!”

Or press the button on your table. Most Korean restaurants have call buttons. Press it, a server comes.

My embarrassing first year:

I sat waiting for service like an American. 20 minutes passed. The staff ignored me.

Finally, a Korean businessman at the next table leaned over: “You have to call them. They’re not being rude. That’s just how it works.”

Life changed after that.

Why this system is actually better:

No one interrupts your meal to ask “how is everything?” You call when YOU need something. The servers aren’t hovering, expecting tips. Everyone’s more relaxed.

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Paying the Bill

How to Pay

In Korea, you usually pay at the counter, not at the table.

Payment Tips

• Most places accept credit cards
• Some small restaurants are cash only
• T-money works at some places
• No need to tip!

Payment is different too:

In America, you wait for the check. The server brings it. You pay at the table.

In Korea, you get up and pay at the counter. No waiting for anyone.

My first time:

Finished my meal. Sat waiting for 20 minutes. Server walked past multiple times. I thought I was being ignored.

Finally asked for the bill. The server pointed at the counter by the door. “Pay there.”

Oh.

How it works now:

1. Finish eating
2. Walk to the counter
3. Say “계산이요” (gyesaniyo) or just hand over your T-money/card
4. Pay and leave

No splitting bills. No calculating tips. Just pay and go.

Exception:

Some nicer restaurants bring the bill to your table. But 90% of the time, you walk to the counter.

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Restaurant-Specific Guides

Korean BBQ (고기집)

Important: Most BBQ places require minimum 2 servings.

Korean BBQ has its own set of rules. Read our complete Korean BBQ Etiquette Guide before your first visit.

Fried Chicken (치킨집)

Noodle Shops (면집)

Coffee Shops (카페)

Fun fact: “아아” (ah-ah) is slang for iced Americano.
You’ll hear it everywhere.

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Using Technology

Restaurant Tablets

Many Korean restaurants have ordering tablets:

1. Select language (look for 🇬🇧 or “English”)
2. Browse menu with pictures
3. Tap to add items
4. Press order button
5. Food arrives at your table

Food Delivery Apps

Want food delivered? Use these apps:

Set location to your hotel, browse, order, pay by card.

The only phrases you actually need:

I’ve survived 35 years with these:

The phrase that saved me most:

“이거 뭐예요?” (igeo mwoyeyo?) — “What is this?”

Point at a menu item. Ask this. Even if you don’t understand the answer, they’ll usually describe it with hand gestures or show you a picture.

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When You Don’t Understand

These phrases save you:

Remember: Pointing always works.

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Common Restaurant Situations

Situation 1: No English Menu

1. Look for pictures on the wall
2. Ask what’s popular: “뭐가 맛있어요?”
3. Point at what others are eating
4. Use Google Translate camera

Situation 2: Not Ready to Order

Say: “잠시만요” (jamsimanyo) = “Just a moment”

Situation 3: Wrong Food Arrives

• Eat it anyway (might be great!)
• Or say “이거 아니에요” (igeo anieyo) = “This isn’t it”

Situation 4: Restaurant is Full

Staff says: “자리 없어요” (jari eopseoyo) = “No seats”

Ask: “얼마나 기다려요?” (eolmana gidaryeoyo) = “How long to wait?”

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Dietary Restrictions

Reality check: Many Korean dishes have hidden meat/seafood.
Vegetarian/vegan is challenging but possible.