Korean Restaurant Phrases for Beginners: Ordering, Paying, and Asking for Help

Eating at a restaurant in Korea is usually simple once you know a few key phrases.

You do not need perfect grammar to order food, ask for water, pay, or get help. Start with short phrases that staff hear often, then adjust them to your real situation.

Quick Phrases To Learn First

이거 주세요.
igeo juseyo.
This one, please.

물 주세요.
mul juseyo.
Water, please.

추천 메뉴 있어요?
chucheon menyu isseoyo?
Do you have a recommended menu item?

계산할게요.
gyesanhalgeyo.
I will pay.

포장돼요?
pojang dwaeyo?
Can I get it to go?

If you remember only one pattern, remember item + 주세요.

For example:

물 주세요.
Water, please.

김치찌개 주세요.
Kimchi stew, please.

1. Getting A Table

Use these phrases when you enter a restaurant or need to ask about seating.

1. 두 명이에요.

Romanization:

du myeong-ieyo

Meaning:

We are two people.

You can change the number:

한 명이에요. = One person.
세 명이에요. = Three people.
네 명이에요. = Four people.

2. 자리 있어요?

Romanization:

jari isseoyo?

Meaning:

Do you have a table?

This is useful when the restaurant looks full.

3. 여기 앉아도 돼요?

Romanization:

yeogi anjado dwaeyo?

Meaning:

Can I sit here?

Use this when you are unsure whether a seat is available.

2. Ordering Food

4. 이거 주세요.

Romanization:

igeo juseyo

Meaning:

This one, please.

This is one of the most useful restaurant phrases in Korea. You can point at a menu item and say it.

5. 김치찌개 하나 주세요.

Romanization:

gimchi-jjigae hana juseyo

Meaning:

One kimchi stew, please.

하나 means one. It is useful when ordering one item.

6. 추천 메뉴 있어요?

Romanization:

chucheon menyu isseoyo?

Meaning:

Do you have a recommended menu item?

This phrase is helpful if the menu is large or has no English translation.

7. 맵지 않게 해주세요.

Romanization:

maepji anke haejuseyo

Meaning:

Please make it not spicy.

This does not guarantee the food will be mild, but it is a useful request.

8. 고기 빼주세요.

Romanization:

gogi ppaejuseyo

Meaning:

Please leave out the meat.

Use this carefully. Some dishes may already be prepared with meat broth or sauce.

3. Asking For Simple Things

9. 물 주세요.

Romanization:

mul juseyo

Meaning:

Water, please.

In many Korean restaurants, water is self-service, but this phrase is still useful.

10. 앞접시 주세요.

Romanization:

apjeopsi juseyo

Meaning:

A small plate, please.

Use this when sharing food.

11. 숟가락 하나 더 주세요.

Romanization:

sutgarak hana deo juseyo

Meaning:

One more spoon, please.

You can replace 숟가락 with:

젓가락 = chopsticks
냅킨 = napkin
물 = water

12. 화장실 어디예요?

Romanization:

hwajangsil eodiyeyo?

Meaning:

Where is the restroom?

This phrase works in restaurants, cafes, stations, and many public places.

4. Paying

13. 계산할게요.

Romanization:

gyesanhalgeyo

Meaning:

I will pay.

Say this when you are ready to pay.

14. 카드 돼요?

Romanization:

kadeu dwaeyo?

Meaning:

Can I pay by card?

Cards are widely accepted in Korea, but this phrase is still useful.

15. 영수증 주세요.

Romanization:

yeongsujeung juseyo

Meaning:

Receipt, please.

You may hear:

영수증 필요하세요?
Do you need a receipt?

You can answer:

네, 주세요.
Yes, please.

아니요, 괜찮아요.
No, it's okay.

5. Takeout And Leftovers

16. 포장돼요?

Romanization:

pojang dwaeyo?

Meaning:

Can I get it to go?

포장 means packaging or takeout.

17. 남은 음식 포장돼요?

Romanization:

nameun eumsik pojang dwaeyo?

Meaning:

Can I pack the leftover food?

Not every restaurant may offer this, but you can ask politely.

6. If There Is A Problem

18. 주문한 음식이 안 나왔어요.

Romanization:

jumunhan eumsigi an nawasseoyo

Meaning:

The food I ordered has not come out.

Use this if your order seems delayed or missing.

19. 이거 아닌 것 같아요.

Romanization:

igeo anin geot gatayo

Meaning:

I think this is not the right item.

This is softer than saying “This is wrong.”

20. 알레르기가 있어요.

Romanization:

allereugiga isseoyo

Meaning:

I have an allergy.

Important note:

If you have a serious allergy, do not rely only on simple Korean phrases. Use a written allergy card, ask a trusted person for help, or choose restaurants where staff can clearly confirm ingredients.

Mini Dialogue

Customer: 두 명이에요.
Staff: 네, 이쪽으로 오세요.
Customer: 이거 하나랑 물 주세요.
Staff: 네.
Customer: 계산할게요.
Staff: 카드로 하시겠어요?
Customer: 네, 카드로 할게요.

Meaning:

Customer: We are two people.
Staff: Yes, please come this way.
Customer: One of this and water, please.
Staff: Okay.
Customer: I will pay.
Staff: Will you pay by card?
Customer: Yes, I will pay by card.

Related Reading

• Start Here: Beginner Korean Path
• Survival Korean Starter Checklist
• Useful Korean Cafe Phrases for Beginners
• Korean Cafe Etiquette for Foreigners

Free Checklist

Want a simple phrase checklist for your first week in Korea?

Download the free Survival Korean Starter Checklist. It includes practical Korean phrases for cafes, restaurants, transport, shopping, and help situations.

Final Tip

You do not need to say everything perfectly.

In many restaurant situations, a short phrase with polite tone is enough. Start with 주세요, 어디예요?, and 계산할게요, then add more phrases as you get comfortable.

Disclaimer

Romanization is only a pronunciation aid. Learning Hangul will help you read menus, signs, and place names more accurately. Food allergies and medical needs require extra care and should not rely only on simple travel phrases.