Hello!
Today, I’d like to share some natural Korean expressions that you can use when visiting a Korean restaurant.
Whenever I travel, I enjoy experiencing a destination like a local rather than just a tourist. Ordering food in the local language, visiting neighborhood cafés, and exploring local markets are often the moments that make a trip truly memorable.
If you enjoy traveling that way too, why not challenge yourself to order in Korean the next time you visit a Korean restaurant?
Let’s start with one of the most useful situations: making a reservation.
1. Making a Reservation (전화 예약)
🍽 Restaurant Staff
안녕하세요. 한강 BBQ입니다.
[Annyeonghaseyo. Hangang BBQ-imnida.]
Hello. This is Hangang BBQ.
👩 Customer
안녕하세요. 오늘 저녁 7시에 두 명 예약 가능할까요?
[Annyeonghaseyo. Oneul jeonyeok ilgopsi-e du myeong yeyak ganeunghalkkayo?]
Hello. Could I make a reservation for two people at 7 PM tonight?
🍽 Restaurant Staff
네, 가능합니다.
[Ne, ganeunghamnida.]
Yes, that’s possible.
👩 Customer
혹시 창가 자리로 가능할까요?
[Hoksi changga jariro ganeunghalkkayo?]
Would it be possible to get a window seat?
🍽 Restaurant Staff
확인해 보겠습니다. 네, 가능합니다. 성함이 어떻게 되세요?
[Hwaginhae bogetseumnida. Ne, ganeunghamnida. Seonghami eotteoke doeseyo?]
Let me check. Yes, that’s possible. May I have your name?
👩 Customer
예약자 이름은 (name)예요.
[Yeyakja ireumeun (name)-yeyo.]
The reservation name is (name).
🍽 Restaurant Staff
네, 예약되었습니다. 감사합니다.
[Ne, yeyakdoeeotseumnida. Gamsahamnida.]
Your reservation has been made. Thank you.
2. Arriving at the Restaurant (식당 도착)
🍽 Restaurant Staff
어서 오세요. 예약하셨어요?
[Eoseo oseyo. Yeyakhasyeosseoyo?]
Welcome. Do you have a reservation?
👩 Customer
네. (name)(으)로 예약했습니다.
Ne. (name)(eu)ro yeyakhaetseumnida.
Yes. I made a reservation under the name (name).
🍽 Restaurant Staff
네, 확인되었습니다. 두 분 맞으시죠?
[Ne, hwagindoeeotseumnida. Du bun majeusijyo?]
Yes, I found your reservation. There are two of you, correct?
👩 Customer
네.
[Ne.]
Yes.
🍽 Restaurant Staff
이쪽으로 안내해 드릴게요.
[Ijjogeuro annaehae deurilgeyo.]
Please follow me.
3. Choosing a Table (자리 선택)
👩 Customer
혹시 창가 자리로 앉을 수 있을까요?
[Hoksi changga jariro anjeul su isseulkkayo?]
Could we sit by the window?
🍽 Restaurant Staff
네, 그럼요.
[Ne, geureomyo.]
Of course.
👩 Customer
감사합니다.
[Gamsahamnida.]
Thank you.
👨 Friend
여기 분위기 좋다!
[Yeogi bunwigi jota!]
The atmosphere here is nice!
👩 Customer
그러게!
[Geureoge!]
I know, right?
4. Looking at the Menu (메뉴 보기)
👩 Customer
메뉴판 좀 볼 수 있을까요?
[Menyupan jom bol su isseulkkayo?]
Could I see the menu, please?
🍽 Restaurant Staff
네, 여기 있습니다.
[Ne, yeogi itseumnida.]
Of course. Here you are.
👨 Friend
뭐 먹을래?
[Mwo meogeullae?]
What would you like to eat?
👩 Customer
잘 모르겠어.
[Jal moreugesseo.]
I’m not sure.
👩 Customer
추천 메뉴가 뭐예요?
[Chucheon menyuga mwoyeyo?]
What do you recommend?
🍽 Restaurant Staff
삼겹살과 갈비가 가장 인기예요.
[Samgyeopsalgwa galbiga gajang ingiyeyo.]
Pork belly and galbi are the most popular dishes.
👩 Customer
이 제육볶음은 어떤 음식이에요?
[I jeyukbokkeumeun eotteon eumsigieyo?]
What kind of dish is this spicy pork stir-fry?
🍽 Restaurant Staff
돼지고기를 매콤하게 볶은 음식입니다.
[Dwaejigogireul maekomhage bokkeun eumsigimnida.]
It’s pork stir-fried with a spicy sauce.
👩 Customer
많이 매워요?
[Mani maewoyo?]
Is it very spicy?
🍽 Restaurant Staff
보통 정도예요. 그렇게 많이 맵지는 않아요.
[Botong jeongdoyeyo. Geureoke mani maepjineun anayo.]
It’s moderately spicy. Not too spicy.
👩 Customer
둘이 먹기에 양이 충분할까요?
[Duri meokgie yangi chungbunhalkkayo?]
Will it be enough for two people?
🍽 Restaurant Staff
네. 충분해요.
[Ne. Chungbunhaeyo.]
Yes, it will be enough.
👩 Customer
혹시 덜 맵게 해 주실 수 있을까요?
[Hoksi deol maepge hae jusil su isseulkkayo?]
Could you make it less spicy?
Korean Food Tip
Some dishes are traditionally spicy and may not taste the same if the spice level is changed. When in doubt, ask the staff before ordering.
For example:
떡볶이(Tteokbokki), 육개장(Yukgaejang), 김치찌개(Kimchi-jjigae)…
Korean Drama Recommendation 🎬
If you’d like to hear real Korean dining conversations, check out:
That’s all for today! I didn’t expect this guide to get so long, so we’ll stop here for now.
Next time, we’ll finally get to the fun part—ordering food, ordering drinks, and even asking for extra side dishes like a local.
Coming Next
In Part 2, we’ll learn how to:
✔ Order food in Korean
✔ Order drinks
✔ Ask for side dishes
See you in the next lesson! 😊
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