Korean Cafe Guide: Order Your Drink Like a K-Pop Idol! 🥤

Hello! Welcome to [Maeil Hangeul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!

Have you ever walked into a beautiful cafe in Seoul, looked at the huge menu, and felt a little nervous? Don’t worry! Today, we’re going to learn how to ask for and give opinions about drinks, so you can order with confidence and sound just like a local.

These days in Korea, the cafe scene is always buzzing with new trends. The famous Dalgona coffee is making a huge comeback, and you’ll see everyone, including your favorite K-pop idols, sipping on refreshing zero-sugar ades or the classic Iced Americano. Let’s learn the essential phrases you need to join in on the fun!

Core Expressions You Need to Know

Here are the key phrases that will make you a pro at ordering drinks in Korean.

1. 뭐 마실래요? (What would you like to drink?)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Mwo ma-sil-lae-yo?
• English Meaning: What would you like to drink? / What do you want to drink?
• Detailed Description: This is the most common and friendly way to ask someone what they want to drink. The grammar ending -ㄹ/을래요? is used to politely ask about someone’s preference or intention. It’s perfect for use with friends or people you are comfortable with.

2. 저는 아아 할게요. (I’ll have an Iced Americano.)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Jeo-neun a-a hal-ge-yo.
• English Meaning: I’ll have an Iced Americano.
• Detailed Description: This is how you’ll hear many Koreans order their coffee! ‘아아’ (a-a) is popular slang for ‘아이스 아메리카노’ (a-i-seu a-me-ri-ka-no). Using the -ㄹ/을게요 ending when you order tells the listener your decision. It sounds very natural and fluent.

3. 어떤 거 좋아해요? (What kind do you like?)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Eo-tteon geo jo-a-hae-yo?
• English Meaning: What kind do you like? / Which one do you like?
• Detailed Description: This is a great question if you’re not sure what your friend likes. ‘어떤’ (eo-tteon) means “what kind of” or “which,” and ‘거’ (geo) is a casual way of saying ‘thing.’ You can use it for anything, not just drinks! (e.g., 어떤 영화 좋아해요? – What kind of movie do you like?)

4. 달달한 거 땡겨요. (I’m craving something sweet.)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Dal-dal-han geo ttaeng-gyeo-yo.
• English Meaning: I’m craving something sweet.
• Detailed Description: Want to sound like a native speaker? Use this phrase! ‘달달하다’ (dal-dal-ha-da) is a cute, descriptive word for “sweet.” The key word here is ‘땡기다’ (ttaeng-gi-da), which is a very common slang verb that means “to crave.” If you’re craving something spicy, you can say “매운 거 땡겨요 (mae-un geo ttaeng-gyeo-yo).”

Example Conversation

Let’s see how these expressions are used in a real conversation between two friends, Mina and Chris, at a trendy cafe in Seoul.

• A (Mina): 와, 이 카페 진짜 예쁘다! 크리스 씨, 뭐 마실래요?
  • (Wow, this cafe is so pretty! Chris, what would you like to drink?)
• B (Chris): 메뉴가 너무 많네요. 미나 씨는 어떤 거 좋아해요?
  • (There are so many options on the menu. Mina, what kind do you like?)
• A (Mina): 음… 요즘 달달한 거 땡겨요. 저기 달고나 커피가 다시 유행이래요!
  • (Hmm… I’m craving something sweet these days. I heard that Dalgona coffee over there is trending again!)
• B (Chris): 오, 좋아요! 그럼 저는 아아 할게요. 완벽한 ‘단짠단짠’ 조합이네요!
  • (Oh, sounds good! Then I’ll have an Iced Americano. It’s the perfect ‘sweet and salty’ combo!)

Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive

✨ The ‘Eol-Juk-A’ Lifestyle ✨

In Korea, coffee isn’t just a drink; it’s a lifestyle! You’ve learned the slang ‘아아’ (a-a), but have you heard of ‘얼죽아’ (eol-juk-a)? It’s a very popular acronym for ‘얼어 죽어도 아이스 아메리카노’ (eor-eo jug-eo-do a-i-seu a-me-ri-ka-no), which means, “I’ll drink an Iced Americano even if I freeze to death!” It shows just how much Koreans love their iced coffee, no matter the season. If you tell your Korean friends you’re part of the ‘얼죽아’ club, they will be very impressed!

Let’s Wrap It Up & Practice!

Amazing work today! You learned how to ask what someone wants to drink (뭐 마실래요?), state your own choice like a local (저는 아아 할게요), and even express your cravings (달달한 거 땡겨요).

Now, let’s test your knowledge!

1. Fill in the blank:
You are at a cafe with a friend. You want to ask them what they’d like to drink. What do you say?

“친구나, ______?” (Chingu-ya, ______?)

2. Make a sentence:
You’re really craving a sweet vanilla latte today. How would you express this using 땡겨요?

Great job, everyone! You’re now ready to conquer any cafe in Korea.
What drink are you craving right now? Let us know in the comments using the expressions you learned today!