Appreciating a new cuisine often involves embracing a new set of values, customs and traditions. It also invites a barrage of new words and terminologies, whether it’s the names of certain foods or basic phrases to express your needs in a different language.
Despite the Hallyu wave that has engulfed the world, not everyone knows how to speak Korean, sometimes not even those of us who love the culture inside and out. That’s where sticking to a couple of surefire phrases can be handy.
Today, we at Nami Korean Grill House spotlight some 20 words and phrases that you can keep at your fingertips when dining out in Korea. Or, if you would like to impress fellow Koreans when digging in at your favourite local Korean restaurant.
Entering the Restaurant
Honour and respect are values deeply ingrained in Korean culture. When entering a restaurant, use these words and phrases to greet and respond to the staff catering to your requests.
Annyeonghaseyo (안녕하세요)
‘Hello’
Meaning “hello”, ‘annyeong’ is a polite greeting that’s widely used by Koreans. It’s a simple but respectful sign of recognition that loosely translates to “be in peace”.
Du myeong-ieyo (두 명이에요)
‘Two people.’
For indicating that there are two diners, before the restaurant staff takes you to your seat.
Ne, Yeyaghaesseumnida (네, 예약했습니다)
‘Yes, I made a reservation.’
Some restaurants require reservations to be made in advance. If you’ve made a dining reservation, you can inform the restaurant staff with this phrase.
Ye (예)
‘Yes’
‘Ye’ works as a formal expression of “yes”. In less formal occasions, you may choose to use ‘Ne’ (네).
Aniyo (아니요)
‘No’
On the other hand, ‘aniyo’ means no, applying for both formal and standard Korean.
Ordering the Food
If the Korean restaurant you’re dining at does not have English-speaking staff or uses tableside ordering, you may need to interact with servers who might have difficulty communicating with you. These short phrases can help convey your basic requests without being fluent.
Yeogiyo (여기요)
‘Excuse me.’
Translating to “over here”, you can say this with your arm raised or a slight wave to get the server’s attention in a restaurant.
Menyu Juseyo (메뉴 주세요)
‘Menu please.’
Most Korean restaurants provide traditional Korean dishes, but if you would like to explore house specials and signatures, asking for the menu with a simple ‘menyu juseyo’ is perfectly polite and common.
Igeo Juseyo (이거 주세요)
‘Can I get this.’
Once you have decided what to order, pointing to specific dishes on the menu accompanied by this phrase can help servers understand exactly what you want.
Gamsahamnida (감사합니다)
‘Thank you’
This expression of gratitude is suitable for thanking servers after they have taken your order, or other contexts where you might want to show appreciation for their service.
Mul (물) and Banchan (반찬)
‘Water’ and ‘Side Dishes’
To communicate that you want water, you can say ‘mul’ followed by ‘juseyo’ (please). ‘Banchan’ are essential Korean side dishes that are served alongside many Korean meals. Some examples of ‘banchan’ include kimchi, pajeon (Korean pancake) and danmuji (yellow pickled radish).
Having the Meal
Whether you’d like to exclaim your delight at the food’s quality or ask for more, these phrases have you covered while enjoying the meal.
Mas-Iss-Eoyo (맛있어요)
‘It’s delicious!’
As a foodie wonderland, Korea and its restaurants are bound to evoke this short and sweet ‘mas-iss-eoyo’ from diners who love an explosion of intense and vibrant flavours.
Deo Juseyo (더 주세요)
‘Can I have more, please.’
You can use this as a standalone phrase while politely pointing to the dish in question or by adding the name of the dish beforehand. For example, “samgyeopsal (pork belly) deo juseyo”.
Igeo Mwoyeyo? (이거 뭐예요?)
‘What is this?’
This is a convenient phrase that helps you find out what ingredients a dish contains or what it’s called.
Gwaenchanh-Ayo (괜찮아요)
‘It’s alright’ or ‘No thanks’.
Respectfully turn down offers from restaurant staff, such as those offering to refill your water or later, provide a receipt, with ‘gwaenchanh-ayo’.
Deol Maebge Haejusil Su Issnayo? (덜 맵게 해주실 수 있나요?)
‘Can you help me make it less spicy?’
Many Korean classics feature a rich array of spices, which can occasionally be overwhelming for those with a lower tolerance for heat. If you prefer your dish with its spice dialled down, don’t hesitate to communicate with the restaurant staff and kitchen — they may be able to accommodate your request, especially if you put it across nicely.
Settling the Bill
Most Korean restaurants place a receipt or order chit on your table after you have ordered. You take this to the counter to make payment once you have finished your meal. However, at some restaurants, this is not the practice, and you will need to ask for the check yourself.
Hwajangsil-I Eodie Iss-Eoyo? (화장실이 어디에 있어요?)
‘Where’s the washroom?’
This phrase can be used for using the restroom or washing up before you leave.
Gyesanseo Juseyo (계산서 주세요)
‘Can I have the check, please.’
This indicates to the staff that you are ready to settle the bill and leave. In most cases, this entails paying straight at the table.
Kadeulo Gyesanhal Su Iss-Eulkkayo? (카드로 계산할 수 있을까요?)
‘Can I pay by card?’
Broadly speaking, Korea is pushing to become a cashless society, with only 14.6% of transactions made with cash in 2021. Similarly, credit cards remain Singapore’s most popular payment option. Asking ‘Kadeulo gyesanhal su iss-eulkkayo?’ helps restaurant staff understand your preferred payment method.
Tib-Eun Eolmayeyo? (팁은 얼마예요?)
‘How much should I tip?’
Unsure about the tipping customs in Korea? Ask the restaurant staff about the appropriate tipping amount directly to show that you want to respect local customs.
Annyeonghi Gyeseyo (안녕히 계세요)
‘Goodbye’
A fitting farewell phrase to use as the one leaving the establishment.
Visit Nami Korean Grill House for Authentic Korean Fare in Singapore
Planning a trip to Korea? Brush up on these basic words and phrases before dining at a renowned Korean restaurant to make the most of your experience. Practise with us at Nami Korean Grill House, one of the top traditional Korean restaurants in Singapore, where we dole out high-quality Korean classics and the finest pork and beef for grilling. Not only will you get to savour delicious Korean cuisine, but you’ll also establish a benchmark for top-tier culinary experiences and enjoy a sneak peak of Korea right here in Singapore!
Come, and find us at 18 Greenwood Avenue, Singapore 289212 today.
