Korean phrases for eating out

Staff usually ask "Myeot bun-iseyo?" meaning "How many people?" Answer "han myeong-iyo" (one), "du myeong-iyo" (two) or "se myeong-iyo" (three), or simply hold up fingers. They will then show you to a table with "ijjogeuro anjeuseyo" (sit here, please), or tell you to sit anywhere you like.

It is normal and polite to raise your hand and say "jeogiyo" or "yeogiyo," both roughly meaning "excuse me." If your table has a call button, just press it. When staff are very busy, wait a moment and call again rather than calling repeatedly, and they will come over as soon as they can.

The simplest is pointing at the menu and saying "igeo juseyo" (this one, please). To give a number, say "igeo hana juseyo" (one of these) or "igeo du gae juseyo" (two of these), and when you decide, say "igeollo halgeyo" (I will have this). For portion-based dishes, say "i-inbun juseyo" for two portions.

Ask "Mwoga masisseoyo?" (what is good here?) or "Chucheonhae juseyo" (please recommend something), and staff will point out their signature dishes. "Jeil jal naganeun ge mwoyeyo?" asks for the most popular item. If you want something mild, add "an maeun geollo chucheonhae juseyo" (please recommend something not spicy).

Say "mul jom juseyo" (some water, please), "banchan deo juseyo" (more side dishes, please) or "kimchi deo juseyo" (more kimchi, please). For a specific side dish, point to the plate and say "igeo deo juseyo." If the restaurant has a self-service corner, staff may tell you it is self-serve, so just help yourself.

To take food with you, say "pojang hae juseyo" or simply "pojang-iyo." If you want to take leftovers home, ask "nameun geo pojang dwaeyo?" When ordering, if staff ask "deusigo gaseyo?" they want to know whether you are eating in or taking it out, so answer accordingly.

At the counter, say "gyesanhae juseyo" (the bill, please) or "gyesanhalgeyo" (I will pay now). To ask whether cards are accepted, say "kadeu dwaeyo?" and to pay separately, say "ttaro gyesanhalgeyo." If staff ask "yeongsujeung deurilkkayo?" they are asking whether you want a receipt.

"Jal meokgetseumnida" is said before eating, roughly "I will enjoy this meal," and "jal meogeotseumnida" is said afterward to express thanks for the food. People who treated you or restaurant owners appreciate hearing them. Saying "jal meogeotseumnida" as you leave a restaurant is a natural and friendly way to say goodbye.

"Masisseoyo" is the basic way to say it is delicious, and for extra emphasis say "jinjja masisseoyo" (really delicious) or "neomu masisseoyo" (so delicious). Owners love hearing it and sometimes bring extra side dishes in return. You can also use it to answer when someone asks how the food is.

Add "ppae juseyo" (please leave out) after the ingredient name, such as "oi ppae juseyo" (no cucumber), "gosu ppae juseyo" (no cilantro) or "pa ppae juseyo" (no green onion). If it is because of an allergy, add "allereugi-ga isseoyo" (I have an allergy) so the kitchen takes extra care.

"Eolmayeyo?" (how much is it?) is the basic phrase, and you can point to an item and ask "igeo eolmayeyo?" For market-price dishes, ask "oneul eolmayeyo?" (how much today?), and to check the size, ask "myeot inbun-ieyo?" (how many portions is it?). Checking prices before ordering is perfectly polite.

Ask "hwajangsil eodiyeyo?" (where is the restroom?). In small restaurants, the restroom may be shared with the building or located outside, and you might need a code or key, so ask "bimilbeonho mwoyeyo?" (what is the code?). Some restrooms have no tissue, so carrying a small pack is handy.

Say "apjeopsi juseyo" for small plates to share food, and "gawi juseyo" for scissors to cut meat or noodles. For a ladle, ask "gukja juseyo," and for another spoon, "sutgarak hana deo juseyo." Using scissors to cut meat and kimchi is very common in Korean restaurants.

If the grill gets charred, say "bulpan gara juseyo" (please change the grill plate), and if the heat is too high, "bul jom jureo juseyo" (please turn down the heat). To order more meat, name the cut and amount, like "samgyeopsal il-inbun deo juseyo." At some places you can ask "guwo juseyo" to have staff grill it for you.

People clink glasses and say "geonbae" or "jjan." At gatherings, one person may lead a toast phrase that everyone repeats together. "One shot" means emptying your glass in one go, but you never have to drink more than you want, and saying you will drink slowly is perfectly acceptable.

For more of the same dish, say "igeo hana deo juseyo" (one more of this) or "il-inbun deo juseyo" (one more portion). To add rice, say "gongitbap hana juseyo," and to add noodles to a stew, "sari chuga hae juseyo." Extra items usually come with an additional charge.

When asked "deusigo gaseyo?", answer "meokgo galgeyo" (I will have it here) or "gajyeogalgeyo" or "teikeuaut-iyo" (to go). For cold drinks say "aiseu," and for hot drinks "ttatteuthan geollo." For size, just use the names written on the menu board, which are often in English anyway.

Ask "yeogi anjado dwaeyo?" (may I sit here?). You can use the same phrase to ask about sharing a table in a crowded restaurant. If staff say "amu dena anjeuseyo," it means you can sit anywhere you like, so just pick a seat that suits you.

Owners are commonly called "sajangnim" (boss), and "jeogiyo" works well for getting any staff member's attention. In casual neighborhood places, some people call middle-aged female staff "imo" (auntie), but "jeogiyo" is the safest choice for visitors. A polite tone matters more than the exact title.

Say "hangugeo jal mot haeyo" (I do not speak Korean well), and staff will often speak slowly or help with gestures or a translation app. You can also ask "yeongeo menyu isseoyo?" (do you have an English menu?). Even a few simple Korean greetings are usually met with warm smiles.