I recognize the value of clear communication in the restaurant setting, which is why I’ve created a complete guide of Korean phrases for restaurants. In this guide, I’ll cover everything from basic greetings to ordering food and making small talk. With these restaurant Korean phrasess, you’ll be able to communicate more effectively with Korean-speaking customers and staff.
Basic Greetings
The first step in any interaction is a proper greeting. Here are some common Korean phrases for restaurants that you can use when greeting customers or staff:
- 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) – This is a formal greeting that can be used in any situation. It’s equivalent to the English “hello” or “good day.” You can use it when greeting someone for the first time or in a professional setting.
안녕하세요?
안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo)?
안녕하 (to be well) 세요 (I’m asking you politely)?
Hello
Lit. (Are you) well?
- 안녕 (annyeong) – This is a more casual way of saying “hello.” You can use it with friends or people you’re familiar with.
- 만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida) – This phrase means “nice to meet you” in a formal context. It’s used when meeting someone for the first time or in a professional setting.
만나서 반갑습니다.
만나서 (man-na-seo) 반갑습니다 (ban-gap-seum-ni-da).
만나 (to meet) 아서 (because) 반갑 (to be glad) 습니다 (I’m telling you in a polite and formal manner). * 만나 + 아서 = 만나서
Nice to meet you.
Lit. (I’m) glad because (I) meet (you).
- 만나서 반가워요 (mannaseo bangawoyo) – This is a more informal way of saying “nice to meet you.” It’s appropriate for casual situations, such as meeting friends or acquaintances.
만나서 반가워요.
만나서 (man-na-seo) 반가워요 (ban-ga-wo-yo).
만나 (to meet) 아서 (because) 반갑 (to be glad) 어요 (I’m telling you polite and friendly). 만나 + 아서 = 만나서, 반갑 + 어요 = 반가워요
Nice to meet you.
LIt. (I’m) glad because (I) meet (you).
- 어서 오세요 (eoseo oseyo) – This is a common greeting used to welcome someone to a place, such as a store or restaurant. It’s equivalent to “welcome” in English.
어서 오세요
어서 (eo-seo) 오세요 (o-se-yo)
어서 (quickly) 오 (to come) 세요 (please)
Welcome.
Lit. Please come quickly.
When learning Korean phrases for restaurants, it’s important to understand the cultural nuances behind the language. In Korean culture, age and social status play a significant role in how people address each other.
For example, older people are typically addressed with more respect, using formal language and honorifics. This is especially important to keep in mind when interacting with customers who may be older or hold a higher social status. Knowing the proper Korean phrases for restaurants for showing respect can go a long way in building positive relationships and providing excellent customer service in a Korean restaurant setting.
Korean Phrases for Restaurants when Ordering Food
Of course, the main reason for visiting a Korean restaurant is to enjoy delicious food. When learning Korean phrases for restaurants, it’s essential to know how to order food in Korean. Here are some common phrases that can help you order food in a Korean restaurant and enjoy the dining experience:
- 주문할게요 (jumunhalkkeyo) – I would like to order. You can follow this up by stating the menu items you would like to order.
주문할게요.
주문할게요 (ju-mun-hal-kke-yo).
주문하 (to order) ㄹ게 (I will) 요 (I’m telling you polite and friendly). * 주문하 + ㄹ게 = 주문할게
I would like to order.
Lit. I will order.
- 이거 주세요 (igeo juseyo) – “Please give me this.” You can use this phrase to point to a menu item or to refer to it by name.
이거 주세요.
이거 (i-geo) 주세요 (ju-se-yo).
이거 (this; colloquial style of 이것) 주 (to give) 세요 (please).
Please give me this.
Lit. Please give this.
- 매운 거 싫어요 (maeun geo sileoyo) – “I don’t like spicy food.” Use this phrase to let the server know that you don’t want your food to be too spicy.
매운 거 싫어요.
매운 (mae-un) 거 (geo) 싫어요 (si-leo-yo).
매운 (spicy) 거 (thing; colloquial style of 것) 싫 (don’t like) 어요 (I’m telling you polite and friendly).
I don’t like spicy food.
Lit. (I) don’t like spicy thing.
- 더 주세요 (deo juseyo) – “Please give me more.” Use this phrase when you want more of a particular dish or if you need something else, such as a refill of your drink.
더 주세요.
더 (deo) 주세요 (ju-se-yo).
더 (more) 주 (to give) 세요 (please).
Please give me more.
Lit. Please give more.
- 추천 메뉴가 뭐예요? (chucheon menyuga mwoyeyo) – “What do you recommend?” or “What is the recommended menu?” Use this phrase when you want the server’s recommendation on what to order. This is a great way to try new dishes and experience the local cuisine.
추천 메뉴가 뭐예요?
추천 (chu-cheon) 메뉴가 (me-nyu-ga) 뭐예요 (mwo-ye-yo)?
추천 (recommendation) 메뉴 (menu) 가 (my subject is the recommended menu) 뭐 (what) 예요 (is; I’m asking you polite and friendly)?
What is the recommended menu?
Lit. What is recommendation menu?
- 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?) – “How much is it?” Use this phrase when you want to know the price of a dish or menu item.
얼마예요?
얼마예요 (eol-ma-ye-yo)?
얼마 (how much) 예요 (is; I’m asking you polite and friendly)?
How much is it?
Lit. How much is (it)?
- 매운 맛 좀 덜어 주세요 (maeun mat jom deoreojuseyo) – “Please make it less spicy.” Use this phrase if a dish is too spicy for you and you want the chef to adjust the level of spiciness.
매운 맛 좀 덜어주세요.
매운 (mae-un) 맛 (mat) 좀 (jom) 덜어 주세요 (deo-reo-ju-se-yo).
매운 (spicy) 맛 (taste) 좀 (kindly) 덜 (to reduce) 어 주세요 (please).
Please make it less spicy.
Lit. Please reduce spicy taste.
- 물 좀 주세요 (mul jom juseyo) – “Please give me water.” Use this phrase when you want a glass of water.
물 좀 주세요.
물 (mul) 좀 (jom) 주세요 (ju-se-yo).
물 (water) 좀 (kindly) 주 (to give) 세요 (please).
Please give me water.
Lit. Please give water.
- 계산할게요 (gyesanhalggeyo) – “I would like to pay.” Use this phrase when you are ready to pay the bill.
계산할게요.
계산할게요 (gye-san-hal-gge-yo).
계산하 (to calculate) ㄹ게 (I will) 요 (I’m telling you polite and friendly). * 계산하 + ㄹ게 = 계산할게
I would like to pay.
Lit. I will calculate (and pay for it).
- 시간이 얼마나 걸려요? (sigani eolmana geollyeoyo?) – “How long does it take?” Use this phrase when you want to know how long it will take for your order to be prepared.
시간이 얼마나 걸려요?
시간이 (si-ga-ni) 얼마나 (eol-ma-na) 걸려요 (geol-lyeo-yo)?
시간 (time) 이 (my subject is time) 얼마나 (how long) 걸리 (to take) 어요 (I’m asking you polite and friendly)? * 걸리 + 어요 = 걸려요
How long does it take?
Lit. How long does time take?
When ordering food in a Korean restaurant, it’s important to keep in mind the cultural etiquette and use proper Korean phrases for restaurants. Remember to be polite and respectful when addressing the server or chef, and try to use honorific language when appropriate. This will help you make a good impression and have an enjoyable dining experience. Using polite Korean phrases for restaurants, such as “주세요 (ju-se-yo)” which means “please,” can also make the ordering process smoother and show your appreciation for the food and service.
Image by pressfoto on Freepik
Making Small Talk
In addition to ordering food and using proper Korean phrases for restaurants, making small talk can help create a more comfortable and welcoming atmosphere in the restaurant. Here are some common Korean phrases for making small talk that you can use with customers or staffs:
- 오늘 날씨가 좋네요 (oneul nalssiga joneyo) – The weather is nice today
오늘 날씨가 좋네요.
오늘 (o-neul) 날씨가 (nal-ssi-ga) 좋네요 (jon-ne-yo).
오늘 (today) 날씨 (weather) 가 (my subject is the weather) 좋 (to be nice) 네 (I’m sharing my feelings with you) 요 (I’m telling you polite and friendly).
The weather is nice today.
Lit. Weather is nice today.
- 어디서 왔어요? (eodiseo wasseoyo) – Where are you from?
어디서 왔어요?
어디서 (eo-di-seo) 왔어요 (wa-sseo-yo)?
어디 (where) 서 (from) 오 (to come) 았 (past tense) 어요 (I’m asking you polite and friendly)? * 오 + 았 = 왔
Where are you from?
Lit. Where (did you) come from?
- 한국 음식이 어때요? (hanguk eumsigi eoddaeyo) – How do you like Korean food?
한국 음식이 어때요?
한국 (han-guk) 음식이 (eum-si-gi) 어때요 (eo-ddae-yo)?
한국 (Korea) 음식 (food) 이 (my subject is Korean food) 어때 (what do you think) 요 (I’m asking you polite and friendly)?
How do you like Korean food?
Lit. What do you think Korea food?
Using small talk and Korean phrases for restaurants can help you engage in conversation with Korean-speaking customers and make them feel more welcome.
Wrapping Up
I believe that effective communication is key to providing a memorable dining experience. I hope that this guide to Korean phrases for restaurants will help you better communicate with Korean-speaking customers and staff. By using these Korean phrases for restaurants, you can show your appreciation for their culture and make them feel more welcome in restaurant.
Remember, learning a few Korean phrases for restaurants is a small but important step towards creating a more welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. I encourage you to practice these Korean phrases for restaurants and continue learning more to enhance your communication skills and provide exceptional service.
