Korean restaurant phrases — how to order, get refills and pay

You sit down. Ten minutes pass. Nobody comes. In Korea, you usually call the staff yourself.

Do I really need to call the staff?

Yes, and it is not rude. In many Korean restaurants, staff do not come to your table unless you call them. This makes service fast, and nobody stands near your table all the time.

• 저기요! (jeogiyo) — "over there." People use it like "Excuse me!"
• 여기요! (yeogiyo) — "over here." People use it the same way.

Say it clearly and raise your hand a little. Some tables have a call button, so look for one first.

At the door, you will usually hear this:

• Staff: 어서 오세요! 몇 분이세요? ("Welcome! How many people?")
• You: 두 명이요. ("Two people.")

어서 오세요 (eoseo oseyo) means "Welcome." You do not need to answer, but a smile or a nod is nice. 몇 분이세요? [멷 뿌니세요?] (myeot buniseyo?) means "How many people?" Answer with a number and 명 (myeong), the word for counting people: 두 명이요 ("Two people"), or 한 명이요 ("Just one").

How do I order?

이거 주세요 is the most useful phrase in this article. Point at the menu and say it.

Some dishes cannot be made less spicy, because the sauce is made before you order. The staff may say 안 돼요 ("That's not possible"). This is normal.

Refills, paying and takeout

Korean meals come with 반찬 (banchan). These are small side dishes, like kimchi and seasoned vegetables. At most everyday restaurants, they are free, and you can ask for more.

• 반찬 좀 더 주세요. — "Could we have more side dishes, please?"
• 김치 좀 더 주세요. — "More kimchi, please."
• 물 좀 주세요. — "Water, please."

Some restaurants have a self-service area for 반찬 and water. If you see a sign that says 셀프 (selpeu), it means "self-service." You can take what you need.

When you want to pay:

In many restaurants, you pay at the counter near the door, not at the table. Just go there and say 계산해 주세요.

Do you want to take food home?

• 포장해 주세요. (pojanghae juseyo) — "To go, please." 포장 means wrapping or packing.
• 포장돼요? — "Can I take this to go?"
• 배달 (baedal) means delivery. People usually order it with an app. You may hear 배달돼요? ("Do you deliver?").

Easy mistakes

Many visitors make these mistakes:

• Waiting quietly for the staff to come to the table
• Trying to leave a tip. In Korea, people do not usually tip.
• Waiting at the table for the bill when everyone pays at the counter
• Worrying that you will pay for a second plate of 반찬

Which words make the owner happy?

These are fixed phrases, used even with friends. They thank the people around you.

• 잘 먹겠습니다 [잘 먹껟씀니다] (jal meokgetseumnida) — before eating. It means "I will eat well." It thanks the person who pays or cooks.
• 잘 먹었습니다 [잘 머걷씀니다] (jal meogeotseumnida) — after eating. It means "I ate well." Say it to the owner when you leave.

When the food arrives, the staff may say:

• 맛있게 드세요! [마싣께 드세요!] (masitge deuseyo) — "Enjoy your meal!" 드시다 is the respectful form of "to eat."

Say 잘 먹었습니다 at the door when you leave. It is a small thing, but owners notice it and like it.

Quick check

1. You want the staff to come to your table → 저기요! or 여기요!
2. You want your food less spicy → 덜 맵게 해 주세요.
3. You are leaving after a great meal and want to thank the owner → 잘 먹었습니다!