Last updated: January 2026
My first Korean restaurant order was a pointing disaster.
- Small restaurant near my apartment. No English menu. No pictures. Just a wall of Korean characters I couldn’t read.
I pointed at something random. The ajumma looked skeptical but brought it out.
It was 순대 (sundae) — Korean blood sausage with intestines.
I wasn’t ready.
I ate it anyway (couldn’t afford to waste money), and honestly? I love sundae now. But that’s not the point. The point is: ordering food in Korea doesn’t have to be a mystery.
35 years of eating out in Korea taught me the system. Here’s everything I know.
Worried about ordering food in Korea without speaking Korean?
Don’t be.
Most restaurants are tourist-friendly,
and you can get by with just a few phrases.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Good news: you don’t need to tip in Korea. Learn why in our Tipping in Korea Guide.
The Good News
Ordering food in Korea is easier than you think:
✅ Many menus have pictures
✅ Tourist areas have English menus
✅ Pointing works perfectly
✅ Staff are helpful and patient
✅ You only need 5-10 phrases
Even after 35 years, I often just point at the menu.
Types of Korean Restaurants
Before we get to phrases,
understand how Korean restaurants work:
Type 1: Counter Ordering
Order at the counter, pay first, sit down.
- Fast food
- Gimbap shops
- Cafes
- Food courts
Type 2: Table Ordering
Sit down, order from a server.
- Most Korean restaurants
- BBQ places
- Traditional restaurants
Type 3: Tablet/Kiosk Ordering
Order via tablet at your table or kiosk at entrance.
- Many modern restaurants
- Chain restaurants
- Some have English option
Type 4: Self-Service
Take what you want, pay at the end.
- Buffets
- Some noodle shops
- Market food stalls
10 Essential Phrases for Ordering
Before Ordering
| English | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Excuse me (call server) | 저기요 | jeogiyo |
| Menu, please | 메뉴판 주세요 | menyu-pan juseyo |
| English menu? | 영어 메뉴 있어요? | yeongeo menyu isseoyo? |
| What do you recommend? | 뭐가 맛있어요? | mwoga mashisseoyo? |
Pro tip: Say “저기요!” (jeogiyo) loudly.
It’s not rude — it’s how Koreans call servers.
Ordering
| English | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| This one, please | 이거 주세요 | igeo juseyo |
| One of this | 이거 하나요 | igeo hanayo |
| Two of this | 이거 두 개요 | igeo du-gaeyo |
| One more, please | 하나 더 주세요 | hana deo juseyo |
Numbers
| Number | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 하나 | hana |
| 2 | 둘 | dul |
| 3 | 셋 | set |
| 4 | 넷 | net |
| 5 | 다섯 | daseot |
Easy method: Hold up fingers and say “주세요” (juseyo).
Two fingers + “juseyo” = two of this, please.
Special Requests
| English | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Not spicy, please | 안 맵게 해주세요 | an maepge haejuseyo |
| Less spicy, please | 덜 맵게 해주세요 | deol maepge haejuseyo |
| No onion, please | 양파 빼주세요 | yangpa ppaejuseyo |
| Vegetarian | 채식주의자예요 | chaesik-juuija-yeyo |
During the Meal
Free Side Dishes (Banchan)
Korean restaurants serve free side dishes called banchan.
- They’re free
- Refills are free
- Just ask for more
| English | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| More side dishes | 반찬 더 주세요 | banchan deo juseyo |
| More rice | 밥 더 주세요 | bap deo juseyo |
| More water | 물 더 주세요 | mul deo juseyo |
Other Useful Phrases
| English | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Where is bathroom? | 화장실 어디예요? | hwajangsil eodiyeyo? |
| It’s delicious! | 맛있어요! | mashisseoyo! |
| It’s too spicy | 너무 매워요 | neomu maewoyo |
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.
Paying the Bill
How to Pay
In Korea, you usually pay at the counter, not at the table.
| English | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Check, please | 계산이요 | gyesaniyo |
| How much? | 얼마예요? | eolmayeyo? |
| Card | 카드요 | kadeuyo |
| Cash | 현금 | hyeongeum |
| Receipt, please | 영수증 주세요 | yeongsujeung juseyo |
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:
- Finish eating
- Walk to the counter
- Say “계산이요” (gyesaniyo) or just hand over your T-money/card
- 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.
Restaurant-Specific Guides
Korean BBQ (고기집)
| English | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 serving | 1인분 | il-inbun |
| 2 servings | 2인분 | i-inbun |
| Pork belly | 삼겹살 | samgyeopsal |
| Beef | 소고기 | sogogi |
| Cook it for me | 구워 주세요 | guwo juseyo |
| Lettuce, please | 쌈 주세요 | ssam juseyo |
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)
| English | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Fried chicken | 후라이드 치킨 | huraideu chikin |
| Spicy chicken | 양념 치킨 | yangnyeom chikin |
| Half-half | 반반 | banban |
| With beer | 맥주랑 같이 | maekjurang gachi |
Noodle Shops (면집)
| English | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Cold noodles | 냉면 | naengmyeon |
| Black bean noodles | 짜장면 | jjajangmyeon |
| Spicy seafood noodles | 짬뽕 | jjamppong |
| Extra noodles | 사리 추가 | sari chuga |
Coffee Shops (카페)
| English | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Americano | 아메리카노 | amerikano |
| Latte | 라떼 | latte |
| Hot | 뜨거운 거 | tteugeoun geo |
| Iced | 아이스 | aiseu |
| Small/Medium/Large | 스몰/미디움/라지 | seumol/midium/laji |
Fun fact: “아아” (ah-ah) is slang for iced Americano.
You’ll hear it everywhere.
Using Technology
Restaurant Tablets
Many Korean restaurants have ordering tablets:
- Select language (look for 🇬🇧 or “English”)
- Browse menu with pictures
- Tap to add items
- Press order button
- Food arrives at your table
Food Delivery Apps
Want food delivered? Use these apps:
| App | English Support |
|---|---|
| Coupang Eats | ✅ Yes |
| Yogiyo | ⚠️ Partial |
| Baemin | ❌ Korean only |
Set location to your hotel, browse, order, pay by card.
The only phrases you actually need:
I’ve survived 35 years with these:
| Situation | Phrase | How I Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Get attention | 저기요 (jeogiyo) | Daily. Multiple times. |
| Order | 이거 주세요 (igeo juseyo) | Point + say this. Works everywhere. |
| One of this | 이거 하나요 (igeo hanayo) | When ordering single items |
| Two of this | 이거 두 개요 (igeo du gaeyo) | Most common for me |
| Water please | 물 주세요 (mul juseyo) | Water is usually free |
| Bill please | 계산이요 (gyesaniyo) | Or just walk to the counter |
| Thank you | 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) | Always. Every time. |
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.
When You Don’t Understand
These phrases save you:
| Situation | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I don’t understand | 모르겠어요 | moreugesseoyo |
| Speak slowly | 천천히 말해주세요 | cheoncheonhi malhaejuseyo |
| One more time | 다시 한번요 | dasi hanbeonyo |
| Just this (pointing) | 그냥 이거요 | geunyang igeoyo |
Remember: Pointing always works.
Common Restaurant Situations
Situation 1: No English Menu
- Look for pictures on the wall
- Ask what’s popular: “뭐가 맛있어요?”
- Point at what others are eating
- 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?”
Dietary Restrictions
| Restriction | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetarian | 채식주의자 | chaesik-juuija |
| No meat | 고기 안 먹어요 | gogi an meogeoyo |
| No pork | 돼지고기 안 먹어요 | dwaejigogi an meogeoyo |
| No beef | 소고기 안 먹어요 | sogogi an meogeoyo |
| Allergic to… | …알레르기 있어요 | …allereugi isseoyo |
| Peanut | 땅콩 | ttangkong |
| Shellfish | 조개 | jogae |
| Gluten | 글루텐 | geulluten |
Reality check: Many Korean dishes have hidden meat/seafood.
Vegetarian/vegan is challenging but possible.
Quick Reference Card
Save this for your trip:
========= KOREAN FOOD PHRASES =========
CALL SERVER: 저기요!(jeogiyo!)
THIS PLEASE: 이거 주세요 (igeo juseyo)
HOW MUCH?: 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?)
DELICIOUS!: 맛있어요! (mashisseoyo!)
CHECK PLEASE: 계산이요 (gyesaniyo)
NOT SPICY: 안 맵게 (an maepge)
MORE PLEASE: 더 주세요 (deo juseyo)
NUMBERS: 1=하나 2=둘 3=셋 4=넷 5=다섯
=========================================
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can’t read the menu?
Point at pictures, use Google Translate camera,
or ask “추천해주세요” (chucheonhaejuseyo) = “Please recommend.”
Do I need Korean to eat in Korea?
No. Pictures, pointing, and basic phrases
get you through 95% of situations.
Are staff friendly to tourists?
Yes! Koreans are very helpful.
Don’t be shy about not speaking Korean.
What if I order wrong?
It’s fine. Smile, eat what comes, enjoy the adventure.
Koreans understand tourists make mistakes.
Should I tip?
No! Tipping is not part of Korean culture.
Just pay the bill amount.
Final Thoughts
35 years ago, I couldn’t order anything without panic.
Now I walk into any Korean restaurant — no English menu, no pictures, no problem. Point, ask, eat.
The system is different but logical:
- Call for service when YOU need it
- Point and say “이거 주세요”
- Pay at the counter when done
You don’t need fluent Korean. You need confidence and three phrases.
The worst that happens? You get something unexpected. Like sundae.
And hey, you might discover you love it.
— Ted K
Want to try street food instead? Check out our Korean Street Food Guide for the 15 must-try dishes.
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