Ordering at a Korean restaurant
Ordering at a restaurant
Try it freePractice this Korean dialogueShadow each line, then continue with the related scenario practice.Open →Explanation
At the entrance, staff may ask 몇 분이세요?—“How many people?” Answer 두 명이에요 for two people or 혼자예요 if you are alone. 분 is the respectful counter used for people in this service question.
To order, name each item and finish with 주세요: 비빔밥 하나하고 김치찌개 하나 주세요. 하나 works for a general item count, while specific foods may also use their own counters. 이거 하나 주세요 is useful when you can point at the menu.
For preferences, 안 맵게 해 주세요 asks for it not to be spicy, while 덜 맵게 해 주세요 asks for it less spicy. For an allergy, state it directly and ask about the ingredient: 땅콩 알레르기가 있어요. 땅콩이 들어가요? Staff knowledge and preparation can vary, so follow the restaurant’s actual guidance.
To request another item, say 물 좀 더 주세요 or 앞접시 주세요. When you are ready to pay, 계산할게요 means “I’ll pay,” and 계산해 주세요 asks staff to process the bill. Many restaurants direct customers to a counter, so listen for 카운터에서 계산해 주세요.
Examples
두 명이에요.
There are two of us.
비빔밥 하나하고 김치찌개 하나 주세요.
One bibimbap and one kimchi stew, please.
덜 맵게 해 주세요.
Please make it less spicy.
땅콩 알레르기가 있어요. 땅콩이 들어가요?
I have a peanut allergy. Does it contain peanuts?
계산할게요.
I’ll pay now.
Mini dialogue
직원: 몇 분이세요?
Staff: How many people?
손님: 두 명이에요.
Customer: Two people.
직원: 주문하시겠어요?
Staff: Are you ready to order?
손님: 비빔밥 하나하고 김치찌개 하나 주세요.
Customer: One bibimbap and one kimchi stew, please.
손님: 김치찌개는 덜 맵게 해 주실 수 있어요?
Customer: Could you make the kimchi stew less spicy?
직원: 네, 그렇게 해 드릴게요.
Staff: Yes, we’ll do that.
손님: 물 좀 더 주세요.
Customer: Please give us some more water.
손님: 잘 먹었습니다. 계산할게요.
Customer: Thank you for the meal. I’ll pay now.
Key lines
- 몇 분이세요?: How many people?
- 두 명이에요: There are two of us
- 이거 하나 주세요: One of this, please
- 덜 맵게 해 주세요: Please make it less spicy
- 물이 더 필요해요: We need more water
- 계산할게요: I’ll pay now
Common mistakes
- 안 맵게 means not spicy; 덜 맵게 means less spicy. Choose the meaning you actually need.
- Do not hide a serious allergy inside a vague preference. Name the allergen clearly and follow the restaurant’s response.
- 저기요 or 여기요 gets attention, but use a full request after it instead of stopping there.
How to practice
- Practise the entrance question 몇 분이세요? together with your real party-size answer.
- Build one order containing two items so you can practise 하나하고 … 하나.
- Keep allergy or dietary sentences short, direct, and written on your phone as well as spoken.
- Listen for whether payment happens at the table or 카운터에서 at the counter.
Check yourself
Question 1 of 2
What does 덜 맵게 해 주세요 ask for?
Related
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