Eating Out: Ordering Food and Drinks in Survival Korean

From Entering to Paying: The Restaurant Flow

This chapter gives you ready-to-use Korean for eating out, following the typical sequence: entering, getting seated, asking for recommendations, ordering, customizing, refills, fixing mistakes, and paying. You will see key polite request patterns you can reuse with any food word.

Core Polite Request Patterns (Reusable)

Tip: If you only know the ingredient name, you can still customize. Say the ingredient + 빼 주세요 or 안 넣어 주세요.

1) Entering and Getting Seated

Common phrases at the door

• 몇 분이세요? How many people?
• 두 명이에요. We’re two.
• 자리 있어요? Do you have a table?
• 창가 자리 있어요? Do you have a window seat?
• 여기 앉아도 돼요? Can we sit here?

Step-by-step: a smooth entry

1. Staff asks: 몇 분이세요?
2. You answer with a number + 명: 세 명이에요.
3. If you have a preference: 조용한 자리 있어요? (Is there a quiet seat?)

2) Calling Staff and Getting Attention

In Korea, it’s normal to call staff politely.

• 저기요! Excuse me! (to get attention)
• 여기요! Over here! (when they’re nearby)
• 직원분! Staff! (a bit direct; use with a polite tone)

Mini pattern: 저기요, ~ 주세요. = “Excuse me, please give me ~.”

3) Asking for Recommendations

Useful questions

• 뭐가 제일 맛있어요? What’s the most delicious / best here?
• 추천해 주세요. Please recommend something.
• 이 집 뭐가 유명해요? What is this place famous for?
• 안 매운 거 있어요? Do you have something not spicy?

When you want a specific type

• 국물 있는 거 추천해 주세요. Please recommend something with broth.
• 밥 종류 있어요? Do you have rice dishes?
• 면 종류 있어요? Do you have noodle dishes?

4) Ordering Food and Drinks

Basic ordering lines

• 이거 하나 주세요. One of this, please.
• 불고기 2인분 주세요. Two servings of bulgogi, please.
• 주문할게요. We’re ready to order.
• 이거랑 이거 주세요. This and this, please.

Quantities you’ll hear often

• 하나 one (item)
• 두 개 two (items)
• 1인분 / 2인분 one serving / two servings
• 더 more

5) Customizing: Spice, Ingredients, and Preferences

Spice level essentials

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• 이거 매워요? Is this spicy?
• 안 맵게 해 주세요. Please make it not spicy.

Remove vs. don’t add

Both are common. Use whichever feels easier.

• 피클 빼 주세요. Please remove the pickles.
• 마요네즈 안 넣어 주세요. Please don’t add mayonnaise.

Other helpful customization phrases

• 덜 짜게 해 주세요. Please make it less salty.
• 소스 따로 주세요. Sauce on the side, please.
• 얼음 빼 주세요. No ice, please.
• 뜨겁게 주세요. Please serve it hot.

6) Shared Dishes and Table Situations

Many Korean meals are shared (especially BBQ, stews, and side dishes). These phrases help you coordinate.

Sharing and serving

• 같이 먹어요. Let’s eat together / share.
• 이거 같이 나오는 거예요? Does this come as a shared dish?
• 앞접시(를) 주세요. Small plates, please.
• 집게(를) 주세요. Tongs, please.
• 가위(를) 주세요. Scissors, please. (common for cutting meat/noodles)

When something is for the table

• 이거는 같이 먹는 거예요? Is this meant to be shared?
• 이거는 제 거예요. This one is mine. (useful if multiple similar bowls arrive)

7) Side Dishes (반찬) and Refills

In many restaurants, side dishes (반찬, banchan) are included and can often be refilled.

Key words

• 반찬 side dishes
• 김치 kimchi
• 단무지 pickled radish (often with fried foods)
• 물 water

Refill phrases (very common)

• 반찬 더 주세요. More side dishes, please.
• 김치 더 주세요. More kimchi, please.
• 물 좀 더 주세요. A bit more water, please.
• 리필 돼요? Are refills possible?

Tip: Add 좀 to soften: 물 좀 주세요. (Water, please.)

8) Allergy and Diet Statements (Safety First)

Be direct and clear. Pair your statement with 안 넣어 주세요 or 빼 주세요.

Allergy statements

• 저는 땅콩 알레르기가 있어요. I have a peanut allergy.
• 알레르기가 있어요. I have an allergy.
• 이거에 (땅콩/새우/우유) 들어가요? Does this have (peanuts/shrimp/milk) in it?
• (땅콩/새우) 안 넣어 주세요. Please don’t add (peanuts/shrimp).

Diet preferences

• 저는 돼지고기 안 먹어요. I don’t eat pork.
• 저는 소고기 안 먹어요. I don’t eat beef.
• 저는 채식이에요. I’m vegetarian.
• 고기 빼 주세요. Please remove the meat.

Practical note: Some broths and sauces may contain meat/seafood even if you remove visible pieces. Ask: 국물에 고기 들어가요? (Is there meat in the broth?)

9) Handling Mistakes and Fixing Problems Politely

If the wrong dish arrives or something is missing, keep it simple: get attention, state the issue, and request a fix.

Useful phrases

• 저기요, 이거 제가 주문한 거 아니에요. Excuse me, this isn’t what I ordered.
• 제가 (김치찌개) 주문했어요. I ordered (kimchi stew).
• 이거 말고 (이거) 주세요. Not this—please give me (that).
• 이거 빼 달라고 했는데요. I asked to remove this, but…
• 죄송한데, 다시 해 주실 수 있어요? Sorry, but could you make it again?

10) Paying and Receipts

Paying phrases

• 계산할게요. We’ll pay.
• 계산서 주세요. The bill, please.
• 카드 돼요? Do you take card?
• 현금으로 할게요. I’ll pay in cash.
• 영수증 주세요. Receipt, please.

Menu-Reading Mini-Glossary

Use this as a quick scan tool when you see menus on walls, boards, or kiosks.

Meat and protein

• 돼지고기 pork
• 소고기 beef
• 닭고기 chicken
• 해산물 seafood
• 새우 shrimp
• 계란 egg
• 두부 tofu

Staples

• 밥 rice
• 면 noodles
• 국 soup (lighter)
• 찌개 stew (heartier)
• 탕 soup/stew (often substantial)

Spice and flavor

• 매운 spicy
• 안 매운 not spicy
• 순한 맛 mild flavor
• 매운맛 spicy flavor

Cooking styles you’ll see

• 볶음 stir-fried
• 구이 grilled
• 튀김 fried
• 찜 steamed/braised

Beverage Essentials

Common drinks

• 물 water
• 탄산수 sparkling water
• 콜라 cola
• 사이다 lemon-lime soda
• 주스 juice
• 맥주 beer
• 소주 soju

Ordering drinks

• 물(을) 주세요. Water, please.
• 맥주 한 병 주세요. One bottle of beer, please.
• 얼음 빼 주세요. No ice, please.
• 따뜻한 물 있어요? Do you have warm water?

Short Dialogues (Ready to Use)

1) Street Food Stall Order

2) Café Order

3) Resolving an Incorrect Dish