Complete Restaurant Phrase List
| Situation | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| How many people? | 몇 분이세요? | Myeot bun-iseyo? |
| Two people | 두 명이요 | Du myeong-iyo |
| Menu please | 메뉴판 주세요 | Menyupan juseyo |
| What do you recommend? | 뭐가 맛있어요? | Mwoga masisseoyo? |
| I'll have this | 이거 주세요 | Igeo juseyo |
| One more of this | 이거 하나 더 주세요 | Igeo hana deo juseyo |
| More side dishes | 반찬 더 주세요 | Banchan deo juseyo |
| It's delicious | 맛있어요 | Masisseoyo |
| The bill, please | 계산해 주세요 | Gyesanhae juseyo |
| Can I pay by card? | 카드 돼요? | Kadeu dwoeyo? |
Full Dining Experience Step-by-Step
- 1
Enter and be seated
Say 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) when entering. The host may ask 몇 분이세요? (myeot bun-iseyo? — how many?). Answer with 두 명이요 (du myeong-iyo — two people).
- 2
Order food
Press the call button or say 저기요 (jeogiyo). Then say 주문할게요 (jumunhalgeyo — I'd like to order) followed by your choices.
- 3
During the meal
Ask for refills with 반찬 더 주세요 (banchan deo juseyo). For more rice: 밥 더 주세요 (bap deo juseyo). For water: 물 좀 주세요 (mul jom juseyo).
- 4
Pay the bill
Say 계산해 주세요 (gyesanhae juseyo) or simply bring the bill slip to the counter. Most restaurants accept cards. Tipping is not expected.
Dietary Restrictions
Vegetarianism is not yet mainstream in Korea, and many dishes contain hidden meat or fish-based ingredients. To say you are vegetarian: 저는 채식주의자예요 (jeoneun chaesikjuuija-yeyo). For no meat: 고기 빼 주세요 (gogi ppae juseyo — without meat, please). Be aware that many broths, kimchi, and side dishes contain animal products even when they look vegetable-based. Kimchi is traditionally made with 젓갈 (jeotgal, fermented fish sauce), and most Korean soups start with 멸치 (myeolchi, anchovy) or 소고기 (sogogi, beef) broth. For strict vegetarians and vegans, look for 사찰음식 (sachal eumsik, temple food) restaurants, which serve entirely plant-based meals rooted in Buddhist culinary tradition. In recent years, Seoul has seen a growing number of 비건 (bigeon, vegan) restaurants, especially in neighborhoods like Itaewon, Hannam-dong, and Seongsu-dong. For halal food requirements, say 할랄 음식 있어요? (hallal eumsik isseoyo, do you have halal food?), though halal options are still limited outside designated areas near Itaewon.
Full Restaurant Dialogue
저기요, 주문할게요. 김치찌개 둘이랑 공기밥 둘 주세요. 반찬 더 주세요. 계산해 주세요.
Jeogiyo, jumunhalgeyo. Gimchijjigae durirang gonggibap dul juseyo. Banchan deo juseyo. Gyesanhae juseyo.
Excuse me, I'd like to order. Two kimchi stews and two bowls of rice, please. More side dishes, please. The bill, please.
Korean Dining Etiquette
Korean dining comes with its own set of etiquette rules that are important to follow, especially when dining with Korean colleagues or elders. The most important rule is to wait for the eldest person at the table to begin eating before you start. This shows respect for hierarchy and is deeply ingrained in Korean culture. When eating with elders, do not lift your rice bowl off the table — unlike in Japan or China, holding the bowl in Korea is considered impolite. Use your spoon for rice and soup, and chopsticks for side dishes. Korean meals are communal, with shared dishes placed in the center of the table, and everyone eats from the same plates (though individual rice and soup bowls are provided). Pouring drinks for others before yourself is standard etiquette, and you should receive drinks from an elder with both hands. When drinking alcohol in the presence of someone older, turn your body slightly away from them as a sign of respect. At the end of the meal, say 잘 먹었습니다 (jal meogeosseumnida, I ate well) to express gratitude, especially if someone else is paying. If you are treating others, say 제가 낼게요 (jega naelgeyo, I will pay). Fighting over the bill is common and considered a sign of generosity — this is called 계산 싸움 (gyesan ssaum, bill fight), and the most persistent person usually wins the honor of paying.