Try This! How to Recommend Trendy Korean Foods Like a Pro
Hello! This is [Maeil Hangeul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Have you ever wanted to share your favorite Korean snack with a friend but didn’t know the right words? Or maybe you’re in Korea and want to suggest trying something new? Today, you’re in luck! We’re going to learn how to recommend food just like a native Korean speaker.
Lately in Korea, there’s a huge trend for super sweet and unique snacks, especially among young people. You’ll see everyone on the streets eating shiny, candied fruit skewers called Tanghulu (탕후루) or enjoying modern versions of a traditional honey cookie called Yakgwa (약과). With the phrases you learn today, you’ll be able to join the fun and recommend these trendy treats with confidence!
Let’s get started!
Core Expressions You Need to Know
Here are three simple but powerful expressions to recommend food.
1. -어/아 보세요 (eo/a boseyo)
- Korean Expression: 이거 먹어 보세요. (Igeo meog-eo boseyo.)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: I-geo meog-eo bo-se-yo.
- English Meaning: Please try this. / Please try eating this.
- Detailed Explanation: This is the most natural and polite way to suggest someone try something. It’s a combination of a verb (like 먹다, to eat) and -어/아 보다 (to try doing something). It’s a very friendly and gentle suggestion, perfect for offering food to a friend, a new acquaintance, or anyone you want to be polite to.
2. 진짜 맛있어요 (jinjja masiss-eoyo)
- Korean Expression: 진짜 맛있어요! (Jinjja masiss-eoyo!)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: Jin-jja ma-siss-eo-yo!
- English Meaning: It’s really delicious!
- Detailed Explanation: This is the perfect follow-up phrase! After someone tries your recommendation, or to convince them to try it, you can use this expression. 진짜 (jinjja) means “really” or “for real” and is used very commonly in casual conversations. It adds emphasis and makes your recommendation sound much more convincing.
3. 추천해요 (chucheonhaeyo)
- Korean Expression: 이거 추천해요. (Igeo chucheonhaeyo.)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: I-geo chu-cheon-hae-yo.
- English Meaning: I recommend this.
- Detailed Explanation: This is a more direct way to give a recommendation. The word 추천 (chucheon) means “recommendation.” You can use this phrase when a friend asks, “What’s good here?” or when you are very confident about your choice. It’s simple, clear, and very useful.
Example Dialogue
Let’s see how these expressions work in a real conversation! Imagine two friends, A and B, walking down a street in Seoul.
A: 와, 저건 뭐예요? 과일이 반짝거려요! (Wa, jeogeon mwoyeyo? Gwaili banjjakgeoryeoyo!)
(Wow, what is that? The fruit is so shiny!)
B: 아, 탕후루예요! 요즘 한국에서 인기가 정말 많아요. 이거 먹어 보세요. (A, tanghuruyeyo! Yojeum hangugeseo ingiga jeongmal manayo. Igeo meog-eo boseyo.)
(Ah, that’s Tanghulu! It’s super popular in Korea these days. Please try this.)
A: (Takes a bite) 우와! 진짜 맛있어요! 달고 바삭해요! (Uwa! Jinjja masiss-eoyo! Dalgo basakhaeyo!)
(Wow! It’s really delicious! It’s sweet and crunchy!)
B: 그렇죠? 제가 제일 좋아하는 간식이에요. 완전 추천해요! (Geureocho? Jega jeil joahaneun gansigieyo. Wanjeon chucheonhaeyo!)
(Right? It’s my favorite snack. I totally recommend it!)
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
In Korea, sharing food is a big part of the culture. Recommending something delicious is seen as a friendly and kind gesture.
Right now, the “newtro” (new + retro) trend is huge. This is why traditional snacks like Yakgwa (약과) are making a massive comeback. Trendy cafes are now selling “Yakgwa Cookies” or putting Yakgwa on top of ice cream. If you see one, you can tell your friend:
- “요즘 약과가 유행이에요. 이거 먹어 보세요!” (Yojeum yakgwa-ga yuhaeng-ieyo. Igeo meog-eo boseyo!)
> (Yakgwa is trendy these days. Please try this!)
By using these phrases with trendy food items, you’ll not only be practicing your Korean but also showing you know what’s cool in Korea right now. You’ll sound just like a local!
Let’s Review and Practice!
Great job today! We learned how to recommend food using three essential phrases: -어/아 보세요, 진짜 맛있어요, and 추천해요. Now you’re ready to share your favorite K-foods with everyone!
Time for a quick quiz to check your understanding.
- Fill in the blank: You want your friend to try Kimchi. How would you say it politely?
김치 ______ 보세요. (Kimchi ______ boseyo.)
- Make a sentence: Your favorite Korean food is Bibimbap. How would you recommend it to a friend using 추천해요?
Let us know your answers in the comments! And for extra practice, leave a comment recommending your favorite food using the phrases you learned today!
