Level 2 · Basic Conversation
Go beyond basic ordering — learn to make reservations, express taste preferences, handle dietary needs, and navigate Korean restaurant culture like a regular.
13 words · tap 🔊 to hear native-speaker pronunciation
You already know how to order food with 주세요. Now it's time to level up! In this unit, you'll learn how to make reservations, ask for recommendations, communicate dietary needs, adjust flavors to your liking, and navigate the uniquely Korean customs of restaurant culture — from calling 여기요 to getting free 반찬 refills. By the end, you'll feel confident walking into any Korean restaurant.
reservation
예약 없이 가도 돼요?Can I go without a reservation?
💡 Memory tip: 예 (pre-arrange) + 약 (promise) = a pre-arranged promise, i.e., a reservation.
menu (physical)
메뉴판 좀 주세요.Could I have the menu, please?
💡 Memory tip: 메뉴 (menu) + 판 (board/sheet) = the physical menu board. 메뉴 is the list of items; 메뉴판 is the thing you hold.
recommendation
추천 메뉴가 뭐예요?What's the recommended menu item?
💡 Memory tip: Think "choo-cheon" like "choose one" — asking someone to choose one for you!
allergy
땅콩 알레르기가 있어요.I have a peanut allergy.
💡 Memory tip: Borrowed from the German/English "Allergie." Sounds very similar — just add a Korean accent!
Pronunciation: Loanword. ㄹㄹ is a long [l] sound: [알레르기].
vegetarian (diet)
채식 메뉴 있어요?Do you have a vegetarian menu?
💡 Memory tip: 채 (vegetable) + 식 (food/eating) = vegetable eating. A 채식주의자 is a vegetarian (person).
to be spicy
이거 많이 매워요?Is this very spicy?
💡 Memory tip: Your mouth goes "maep!" when you bite into something spicy. Feel the burn!
Pronunciation: Dictionary form 맵다 [맵따]. Conjugated: 매워요 [매워요] — ㅂ irregular (ㅂ→우).
to be sweet
이 디저트가 너무 달아요.This dessert is too sweet.
💡 Memory tip: Think "dal" like "dulce" (sweet in Spanish/Portuguese). Both start with "d" and mean sweet!
Pronunciation: Regular conjugation: 달아요 [다라요] — ㄹ liaison with 아.
to be salty
국이 좀 짜요.The soup is a bit salty.
💡 Memory tip: The tense ㅉ sound feels "squeezed" and sharp — like the jolt you feel tasting something too salty!
less
덜 맵게 해 주세요.Please make it less spicy.
💡 Memory tip: Pair it with 더 (more). 덜 = less, 더 = more. "Deol" sounds like "dull" — dial it down!
more
반찬 더 주세요.More side dishes, please.
💡 Memory tip: The opposite of 덜. "Deo" sounds like "duh, more!" — you always want more 반찬!
serving / portion (for N people)
삼겹살 이 인분 주세요.Two servings of pork belly, please.
💡 Memory tip: 인 (person) + 분 (portion) = person-portion. 일 인분 = 1 serving, 이 인분 = 2 servings.
Pronunciation: Use Sino-Korean numbers: 일(1), 이(2), 삼(3), 사(4) + 인분.
takeout / to-go
포장해 주세요.Please pack it to go.
💡 Memory tip: 포장 literally means "packaging." At a restaurant, 포장 = takeout. You'll also see 포장마차 (street food stalls).
review
리뷰가 좋아서 왔어요.I came because the reviews were good.
💡 Memory tip: Borrowed directly from English "review." Koreans are passionate about restaurant reviews — 맛집 (famous restaurant) culture is huge!
Ready to dine like a true local? Here are the finer points of Korean restaurant culture:
-- Calling staff: Shout 여기요! (here!) or 저기요! (over there!) to get a server's attention. This is completely normal and polite — not rude! Many restaurants also have a buzzer (벨) on the table.
-- Free side dish refills: 반찬 (side dishes) are complimentary and you can ask for free refills — just say 반찬 더 주세요. It's a core part of Korean dining culture.
-- Water is self-service: Most Korean restaurants have a water dispenser or pitcher at the table. Don't wait for a server to bring you water.
-- Sharing is the norm: Korean meals are communal. Main dishes go in the center and everyone shares. Ordering "one per person" can feel odd — the standard is to share.
-- Korean BBQ (고기집) etiquette: At BBQ restaurants, one person (often the youngest or the host) manages the grill. Don't flip the meat too often. Use the lettuce wraps (쌈) to eat the grilled meat with 쌈장 (ssamjang paste).
-- 맛집 (matjip) and review culture: Koreans are obsessed with finding great restaurants. 맛 (taste) + 집 (house) = "tasty place." Before eating anywhere, Koreans check 네이버 블로그 (Naver Blog), 망고플레이트 (MangoPlate), or 카카오맵 (KakaoMap) reviews. Getting listed as a 맛집 is the highest honor for a restaurant.
-- Dietary restrictions: Vegetarian and allergy-friendly dining is still relatively new in Korea, but it's growing fast. Saying 채식이에요 (I'm vegetarian) or 알레르기가 있어요 (I have an allergy) is increasingly understood, especially in Seoul. However, be aware that many Korean dishes contain hidden animal-based ingredients like 멸치 (anchovy) or 새우젓 (shrimp paste) in seemingly vegetable dishes.
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