Learn Basic Korean for Travel: How to Order Food at a Restaurant

Walking into a bustling restaurant in Seoul can be a thrilling experience, with the delicious smells of barbecue and savory stews filling the air. For a first-time traveler, however, it can also feel a little intimidating. Knowing just a few essential Korean phrases can transform this moment from one of uncertainty into a confident and enjoyable cultural adventure, allowing you to connect with locals and order exactly what you want.

This guide is designed to give you that confidence. You don't need to be able to read the Korean alphabet to successfully order your first meal. We will break down a very common and realistic conversation you're likely to have, guiding you through each step from the moment you walk in the door. To hear how these phrases sound in a real conversation, let's start by watching a short video.

1. Watch and Listen: Real Korean in Action

Watch the short video below and practice the conversation first. This clip is part of the Everyday Korean series, which helps learners hear and get used to natural pronunciation in real-world scenarios.

3. Full Dialogue Breakdown: Ordering Food Step-by-Step

Understanding the natural back-and-forth of a conversation is the key to feeling comfortable and prepared. Instead of just memorizing single words, learning the entire flow of an interaction builds real-world confidence. Let's walk through a typical exchange at a Korean restaurant, from being greeted at the door to placing your complete order.

Please note: Romanization may not always match actual Korean pronunciation exactly. Learning Hangul is the best way to understand real Korean sounds, but if that is not possible right now, try to listen closely to the audio and repeat what you hear as much as you can.

Employee: Welcome. How many people?

Korean: 어서 오세요. 몇 분이세요?

Romanization: Eo-seo o-se-yo. Myeot bun-i-se-yo?

You: Two people.

Korean: 두 명이요.

Romanization: Du myeong-i-yo.

Employee: Please sit here.

Korean: 여기 앉으세요.

Romanization: Yeo-gi an-jeu-se-yo.

Employee: Are you ready to order?

Korean: 주문하시겠어요?

Romanization: Ju-mun-ha-si-ge-sseo-yo?

You: One bulgogi and one bibimbap, please.

Korean: 불고기 하나 비빔밥 하나 주세요.

Romanization: Bul-go-gi ha-na bi-bim-bap ha-na ju-se-yo.

Pro Tip: The pattern "[Food Item] + 하나 주세요 (ha-na ju-se-yo)" is your golden key to ordering in Korea. You can use this simple and polite structure to ask for anything on the menu, from main dishes like 불고기 (bul-go-gi) to beverages like 콜라 (kol-la), which you'll see in our vocabulary toolkit next.

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Employee: What would you like for drinks?

Korean: 음료는 뭐로 드릴까요?

Romanization: Eum-ryo-neun mwo-ro deu-ril-kka-yo?

You: One cola, please.

Korean: 콜라 하나 주세요.

Romanization: Kol-la ha-na ju-se-yo.

Employee: Yes, please wait a moment.

Korean: 네, 조금만 기다려 주세요.

Romanization: Ne, jo-geum-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo.

Now that you've seen the full conversation, let's break it down into the most essential words and phrases that make it all work.

4. Key Vocabulary & Expressions

Think of this section as your essential toolkit for dining out in Korea. This is more than a simple word list; it is a curated toolkit of the high-frequency expressions that form the backbone of the ordering process. Mastering these few key terms will empower you to handle the entire interaction with ease.

Korean (Hangul)	Romanization	Meaning
두 명	du-myeong	Two people
주문	ju-mun	Order
불고기	bul-go-gi	Bulgogi
비빔밥	bi-bim-bap	Bibimbap
음료	eum-ryo	Drink / Beverage
콜라	kol-la	Coke
주세요	ju-se-yo	Please give me...
네	ne	Yes

5. Real Travel Tips: Dining Like a Local in Korea

Speaking the language is only half the journey to a great meal. Understanding a little bit about local dining etiquette is the key to a smooth, respectful, and truly authentic experience. Here are a few practical tips to keep in mind.

• Getting a Server's Attention: In most casual Korean restaurants, it is common and perfectly polite to call out to get a server's attention. A simple, loud "저기요!" (Jeo-gi-yo!) will do the trick. While it literally translates to "Over here!," this is the standard, polite way to call staff in a restaurant and is not considered rude.

• Water is Often Self-Service: Don't be surprised if water isn't brought to your table automatically. Many restaurants have a self-service water dispenser. Look for a water cooler or large jugs, where you can help yourself to cups and water.

• Press the Button on the Table: Many modern restaurants have a call button on the edge of the table. If you see one, simply press it to summon a staff member to your table instead of calling out.

With these language and culture tips in hand, you're ready to put your new knowledge into practice.

6. Practice Your Skills: What Would You Say?

This is your chance to actively test what you've just learned in a low-pressure way. Read the scenarios below and think about how you would respond using the dialogue and vocabulary from this guide.

1. A restaurant worker asks you, "몇 분이세요?" (Myeot bun-i-se-yo?). How do you tell them there are two people in your group?

2. You are ready to order. How would you ask for one Bulgogi? Fill in the blank: ___________ 하나 주세요 (... ha-na ju-se-yo).

3. The staff asks, "음료는 뭐로 드릴까요?" (Eum-ryo-neun mwo-ro deu-ril-kka-yo?). How do you ask for one Coke?

Answers

1. 두 명이요. Du myeong-i-yo.

2. 불고기 (Bul-go-gi)

3. 콜라 하나 주세요. Kol-la ha-na ju-se-yo

7. Your Next Step in Everyday Korean

Congratulations! You now have a practical, step-by-step framework for ordering food at a Korean restaurant. Learning Korean through real-life situations like this one is one of the most effective and enjoyable ways to prepare for a trip to Korea. This lesson is part of the “Everyday Korean” series, designed to give you the confidence to navigate daily interactions.

— Talkhey

TalkHey aims to be the go-to online platform for teens and adults worldwide who want to learn Korean, helping them confidently achieve their language goals through personalized and flexible lessons, whether they're just starting or looking to master advanced skills.