Japanese
Korean
At the restaurant
❃ At the restaurant
-
여기 메뉴판 주세요.
[ yeogi menyupan juseyo. ] -
Please give me the menu.
-
뭐 드릴까요?
[ mwo deurilkkayo ] -
What would you like?
-
주문할게요.
[ jumunhalgeyo ] -
I'd like to order.
-
포장돼요?
[ pojang dwaeyo? ] -
Can I get it to go?
-
여기 앉아도 돼요?
[ yeogi anjado dwaeyo? ] -
Can we sit here?
-
안 맵게 해 주세요.
[ an maepge hae juseyo. ] -
Not spicy, please.
-
어서 오세요. 몇 분이세요?
[ Eoseo oseyo. Myeot buniseyo? ] -
Welcome. How many people?
-
두 명이에요.
[ Du myeongieyo. ] -
Two people.
-
예약하셨나요?
[ Yeyakhasyeotnayo? ] -
Did you make a reservation?
-
예약 안 했어요.
[ Yeyak an haesseoyo. ] -
We didn't make a reservation.
-
자리가 있나요?
[ Jariga itnayo? ] -
Is there a table available?
-
잠시만 기다려 주세요.
[ Jamsiman gidaryeo juseyo. ] -
Please wait a moment.
-
여기요! / 저기요!
[ Yeogiyo! / Jeogiyo! ] -
Excuse me! (calling staff)
-
메뉴판 좀 주세요.
[ Menyupan jom juseyo. ] -
Please give us the menu.
-
물티슈 좀 주시겠어요?
[ Multisyu jom jusigesseoyo? ] -
Could you give us wet wipes?
-
앞치마 좀 주세요.
[ Apchima jom juseyo. ] -
An apron, please.
-
물은 셀프입니다.
[ Mureun selpeuimnida. ] -
Water is self-service.
-
창가 자리에 앉아도 될까요?
[ Changga jarie anjado doelkkayo? ] -
Can we sit by the window?
-
주문하시겠어요?
[ Jumunhasigesseoyo? ] -
Are you ready to order?
-
조금 이따가 주문할게요.
[ Jogeum ittaga jumunhalgeyo. ] -
We will order in a bit.
-
화장실 비밀번호가 뭐예요?
[ Hwajangsil bimilbeonhoga mwoyeyo? ] -
What's the restroom password?
Stepping into a traditional South Korean restaurant requires you to unlearn many Western dining habits, making it one of the most fun and interactive cultural experiences of your trip. Upon entering, you will be warmly greeted with an enthusiastic 어서 오세요 (Eoseo oseyo - "Welcome!"). Do not expect a host to slowly escort you to a table; the atmosphere is usually fast-paced, and you are often free to sit wherever you like unless directed otherwise. The biggest cultural shock for Westerners happens when you are ready to order. In many Western countries, diners patiently make polite eye contact and wait for the waiter to approach. In Korea, doing this will result in you waiting all night! Instead, you must actively call the server. Most tables are equipped with a small call bell (벨 - Bel). If there is no bell, you must raise your hand and confidently shout 저기요! (Jeogiyo!) or 여기요! (Yeogiyo!), which both mean "Over here, please!". While shouting across a restaurant feels incredibly rude and aggressive to a European or American, in Korea, it is the standard, accepted, and efficient way to communicate. Once seated, you will also notice that cutlery is rarely brought to you by the waiter. Look closely at your table: there is almost always a hidden drawer underneath containing your metal chopsticks, spoons, and napkins (수저통 - Sujeotong). Additionally, water is often a self-service affair; if you see a sign saying 물은 셀프입니다 (Mureun selpeuimnida), simply walk up to the water dispenser, grab a metal cup, and pour your own water. Embracing these proactive dining habits is your first step to enjoying the incredible local food scene like a true Korean.
Other sections
Keep your progress
Enjoying the phrasebook?
Create a free account to save favorites, track your study, and continue where you stopped.
This website uses cookies