How to Order at a Restaurant in Korea

When you open the door and go in, first make eye contact with a staff member and say how many people are in your party. You can say “han myeongieyo” (한 명이에요, “one person”) or “du myeongieyo” (두 명이에요, “two people”). In busy restaurants, if you wait by the door, a staff member will often show you to a table.

• If there is a waiting list at the entrance, write down your name or party size and wait.
• If they say “pyeonhan jarie anjeuseyo” (편한 자리에 앉으세요, “sit wherever you like”), you can take any open seat.
• If there is floor seating where you take off your shoes, leave your shoes in the shoe cabinet or by the door.
• If you’re dining alone, it’s a good idea to ask first: “han myeonginde ganeunghaeyo?” (한 명인데 가능해요?, “I’m alone; is that okay?”).

Once you sit down, look for the menu. It may be posted on the wall or placed on the table. Some restaurants use tablet ordering, paper order forms, or self-ordering kiosks. If you’re not sure, ask a staff member: “jumuneun eotteoke haeyo?” (주문은 어떻게 해요?, “How do I order?”).

Korean restaurant menus are often divided into categories such as single-serving bowls, jjigae (stews) with rice, grilled meat, jeongol (hot pots), and bunsik (casual snack-style dishes). Single-serving dishes like Bibimbap, Kalguksu, and Naengmyeon are usually easy to order by the portion. For stews such as Kimchi Jjigae and Doenjang Jjigae, some places include rice, while others require you to order it separately.

Grilled meat dishes such as Samgyeopsal and Bulgogi are usually ordered by the serving. Many shared dishes require a minimum order of two servings. Bossam and many hot pots are also often ordered by size. If the menu says “i-in isang” (2인 이상, “for two or more”) or “i-inbunbuteo” (2인분부터, “minimum two servings”), check the minimum order quantity.

At bunsik restaurants, people often mix and match several items such as Gimbap, Tteokbokki, and fried snacks. At pubs or jeon restaurants, it’s common to order alcoholic drinks such as Makgeolli along with anju (food meant to go with drinks).

Spice level, meat broth, seafood, eggs, nuts, jeotgal (salted fermented seafood), and fish sauce vary from restaurant to restaurant. If you have allergies, are vegetarian, or have religious dietary restrictions, don’t judge by the menu name alone; always confirm directly.

If there is a small button on or beside the table, it’s a call button. Press it and a staff member will come over. If there’s no button, raise your hand slightly and say “jeogiyo” (저기요, “excuse me”). You don’t need to shout loudly.

When ordering, say the menu item and quantity. For example, you can say “bibimbap hana juseyo” (비빔밥 하나 주세요, “one bibimbap, please”). It’s also fine to point at the menu and say “igeo hana juseyo” (이거 하나 주세요, “one of this, please”). Common quantity words are hana (one), du gae (two items), il-inbun (one serving), and i-inbun (two servings).

• If you want it less spicy, say “deol maepge hae juseyo” (덜 맵게 해 주세요, “please make it less spicy”).
• If you want the scallions left out, say “pa ppae juseyo” (파 빼 주세요, “please leave out the scallions”). However, not every restaurant can make adjustments.
• Rice, extra noodles or add-ins, and drinks often cost extra. If you need them, check first.
• After you order, the staff may repeat the items back to confirm. If everything is correct, answer “ne” (네, “yes”).

Many Korean restaurants serve water and basic banchan (side dishes) with the meal. But in many places, water is self-service. If you see water pitchers, cups, small plates, and containers of side dishes near the entrance or along one wall, it’s probably a self-service station. Some places serve Barley Tea instead of water.

Side dishes are called mitbanchan (basic side dishes) or banchan. Small plates such as Napa Cabbage Kimchi, Kkakdugi, Rolled Omelette (Gyeran-mari), and Stir-fried Fish Cake may be served. Side-dish refills are often free, but not every side dish is always free. If there is a self-service station, take only as much as you will eat.

Sujeo is the word for the spoon-and-chopsticks set. In many restaurants, it’s kept in a drawer on the side of the table. If there’s no drawer, the staff will bring it, or it will be at the self-service station. Napkins and wet wipes are also often found beside the table or near the cashier.

Hot soup, stone bowls, and metal griddles can be extremely hot. If a staff member says “tteugeowoyo” (뜨거워요, “it’s hot”), it’s best not to touch the bowl directly. Stews and hot pots are often placed in the center to share, so it’s more convenient to use a ladle or tongs rather than putting your own spoon straight in.

At grilled-meat restaurants, tongs and scissors are usually provided together. In some places, the staff grills the meat for you; in others, customers grill it themselves. If you’re not sure, ask “jikjeop gu-umyeon dwaeyo?” (직접 구우면 돼요?, “Should we grill it ourselves?”).

If the food is too spicy or salty, it may be difficult to change once it has already been cooked. It’s better to ask whether adjustments are possible when you order. Some restaurants can pack up leftovers, but soups and some side dishes may be difficult to take away. If you need this, ask “pojang ganeunghaeyo?” (포장 가능해요?, “Can I get this packed to go?”).

In many Korean restaurants, you pay after the meal. If the cashier is near the entrance, get up and go to the counter; if there is a paper bill on the table, take it with you. The staff may ask for your table number, so check the number tag or table number where you’re sitting.

• Say “gyesanhalgeyo” (계산할게요, “I’d like to pay”) and they’ll get the payment ready.
• Many places accept both cards and cash, but it varies by restaurant.
• If several people want to pay separately, ask “ttaro gyesan ganeunghaeyo?” (따로 계산 가능해요?, “Can we pay separately?”).
• If you need a receipt, say “yeongsujeung juseyo” (영수증 주세요, “please give me a receipt”).

There is absolutely no culture of leaving a separate tip at ordinary restaurants. At food courts and self-service restaurants, you often need to return your tray after eating. If you see a place near the exit labeled “toesikgu” (퇴식구, “tray return”), put your empty dishes there.