How to Order Food in Korea: Essential Korean Phrases for Travelers
You don’t need to speak Korean to enjoy great food in Korea.
Many restaurants in Seoul and other tourist areas have English menus, photos or ordering kiosks. But knowing just a few Korean phrases can make eating out much easier — especially at small local restaurants.
Here are the phrases travelers will actually use.
1. “This, please.”
- 이거 주세요
- Igeo juseyo
This may be the most useful restaurant phrase in Korea.
It simply means “This, please.”
Point to a dish on the menu and say “Igeo juseyo.” Even if you know no other Korean, this can get you surprisingly far.
To order two:
- 이거 두 개 주세요
- Igeo du gae juseyo
“Two of these, please.”
2. “Please make it not spicy.”
Korean food has a reputation for being spicy, but many dishes are mild.
If you are worried about spice, try:
- 안 맵게 해주세요
- An maepge haejuseyo
“Please make it less spicy, if possible.”
However, some dishes are prepared with a sauce or broth that cannot easily be changed.
You can also ask:
- 매워요?
- Maewoyo?
“Is it spicy?”
This is especially useful when ordering unfamiliar dishes.
3. “Water, please.”
물 주세요
Mul juseyo
This means “Water, please.”
At many casual Korean restaurants, however, water is self-service.
Look around for a water dispenser, bottles or a sign saying:
셀프 (Self)
If you see it, you may be expected to get water yourself.
4. “More, please.”
Want more banchan?
- 더 주세요
- Deo juseyo
“More, please.”
At many restaurants, basic side dishes such as kimchi can be refilled without extra charge.
But not everything on the table is necessarily free to refill, so ask if you are unsure.
5. “Do you have an English menu?”
- 영어 메뉴 있어요?
- Yeongeo menyu isseoyo?
This means:
- “Do you have an English menu?”
In major tourist areas, the answer is often yes.
If not, menu photos, translation apps and simple pointing usually work perfectly well.
6. “The bill, please.”
- 계산할게요
- Gyesanhalgeyo
This roughly means “The bill, please.” / “I’d like to pay.”
However, you often do not need to ask for the bill at all.
In many Korean restaurants, simply walk to the counter when you finish eating and pay there.
Also remember: tipping is generally not expected at ordinary restaurants in Korea.
Not sure about tipping in Korea?
→ Do You Tip in Korea? A Simple Guide to Tipping Culture
The 5 Phrases Worth Remembering
If you remember only five phrases, start with these:
- 이거 주세요 — Igeo juseyo
- 매워요? — Maewoyo?
- 안 맵게 해주세요 — An maepge haejuseyo
- 물 주세요 — Mul juseyo
- 감사합니다 — Gamsahamnida
That is enough for many everyday restaurant situations.
Don’t Worry About Perfect Korean
Travelers sometimes hesitate to speak Korean because they are worried about pronunciation.
Don’t.
Speak slowly, point to the menu when necessary and be polite. Restaurant staff will usually understand what you are trying to communicate.
A few Korean words plus a smile can make the experience much easier.
The goal is not perfect Korean.
It is simply to order your meal and enjoy it.
Related Guides
- How to Use Korean Restaurants: A Guide for First-Time Visitors
- Korean Food for Beginners: What to Try First
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