How to Order Food in a Korean Restaurant Like a Pro
You’re sitting in a cozy Korean restaurant. The sizzling sound of samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly) fills the air. You’re handed the menu, and then... silence. You want to impress, but you’re not sure how to say what you want — let alone order like a local.
Don’t worry. We’ve got your back. Here's a simple, no-fuss guide to help you navigate your next Korean meal like a pro — even if you're still at the beginner level of learning Korean.
1. Start with a smile and a greeting
Even a small hello can go a long way.
Annyeonghaseyo (안녕하세요) — ahn-nyoung-ha-se-yo
Means: “Hello” — polite and perfect for restaurants.
2. Ask for the menu
You can always point, but saying it earns bonus points.
Menu juseyo (메뉴 주세요) — meh-nyoo joo-seh-yo
Means: “Please give me the menu.”
3. Ordering food? Try this simple phrase:
[Dish] hana juseyo (하나 주세요) — [dish name] ha-na joo-seh-yo
Means: “One [dish], please.”
Example:
Bibimbap hana juseyo — One bibimbap, please.
Want more than one?
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Dul (둘, dool) = two
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Set (셋, set) = three
Example:
Tteokbokki dul juseyo — Two tteokbokki, please.
4. What about drinks?
Most drinks are said similarly to English, but with a Korean accent.
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Maekju juseyo (맥주 주세요) — mek-joo joo-seh-yo = Beer, please
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Coke hana juseyo — Coke, please
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Mul juseyo (물 주세요) — mool joo-seh-yo = Water, please
5. Need help? Ask this:
Igeo mwo-eyo? (이거 뭐예요?) — ee-guh mwo-eh-yo
Means: “What is this?” (great when you’re curious about a dish)
6. Getting the bill
Once you’ve had your fill, you’ll need the bill.
Gyesan juseyo (계산 주세요) — gye-san joo-seh-yo
Means: “Check, please.”
Or just gesture and smile — most places are happy to help!
Korean meals are about sharing and enjoying. So don’t stress over getting everything perfect. A little effort goes a long way — and who knows, you might even get a free side dish for trying.
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