🥢 Eat Like a King! Ordering at a Hanjeongsik Restaurant
Hello! It’s your Korean fluency booster, [Daily Hangul]! 👋✨
Have you ever watched a K-Drama where the characters sit at a table completely covered with dozens of small plates? That is Hanjeongsik (한정식), a traditional Korean full-course meal! 🍚
It looks delicious, but it can be intimidating to order if you don’t know what to say. Don’t worry! Today, we will learn how to order confidently at a traditional restaurant. You will feel like a King or Queen from the Joseon Dynasty! 👑 Let’s dive in!
1. Core Expressions 🗣️
Here are the 4 most useful phrases for your Hanjeongsik experience.
1️⃣ 몇 분이세요? (Myeot buniseyo?)
- English: How many people are there?
- Context: As soon as you enter, the staff will ask this. You need to understand it to answer!
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip: The word 몇 (Myeot) flows into 분 (bun). It sounds a bit stronger, like “Myeot-ppun”.
2️⃣ 한정식 2인분 주세요. (Hanjeongsik i-inbun juseyo.)
- English: Please give us 2 servings of the Hanjeongsik.
- Context: “~juseyo” (Please give) is the magic word in Korea. “Inbun” is the counter for servings.
- 1 serving: Il-inbun
- 2 servings: I-inbun
- 3 servings: Sam-inbun
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip: Connect the sounds smoothly. I-inbun sounds like “Ee-in-bun”.
3️⃣ 반찬 좀 더 주세요. (Banchan jom deo juseyo.)
- English: Please give me some more side dishes.
- Context: This is the best part of Korean dining! If you finish a side dish (Banchan), you can ask for a refill.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip: 반찬 (Banchan) is pronounced clearly as [Ban-chan].
4️⃣ 잘 먹었습니다. (Jal meogeotsseumnida.)
- English: I ate well. (Thank you for the meal.)
- Context: Say this to the owner or staff when you leave to show appreciation.
2. Real-life Dialogue 💬
Imagine you are visiting a famous Hanjeongsik restaurant in Insadong with a friend.
👩🍳 Server: 어서 오세요! 몇 분이세요? (Eoseo oseyo! Myeot buniseyo?)
[Welcome! How many people?]
👤 You: 두 명이요. (Du myeong-iyo.)
[Two people.]
(Sitting at the table)
👤 You: 여기 한정식 2인분 주세요. (Yeogi Hanjeongsik i-inbun juseyo.)
[Please give us 2 servings of Hanjeongsik here.]
(Eating delicious food) 😋
👤 You: 사장님, 여기 반찬 좀 더 주세요. (Sajangnim, yeogi banchan jom deo juseyo.)
[Boss, please give us more side dishes here.]
👩🍳 Server: 네, 알겠습니다! (Ne, algetseumnida!)
[Yes, understood!]
3. Culture Tip & Drama Moment 📺
😲 “Is this really free?”
In many countries, you pay for every extra dish. But in Korea, Banchan (Side dishes) refills are usually FREE and unlimited! 🥬🌶️
In K-Dramas like Reply 1988 or Jewel in the Palace, you see tables overflowing with food. That is the heart of Korean hospitality (Jeong, 정). So, don’t be shy! If you love the Kimchi or the Japchae, confidently say: “Banchan jom deo juseyo!”
(Note: Main dishes like meat or fish usually cost extra to refill, but the small veggie plates are free!)
4. Wrap-up & Quiz 📝
Today, we learned how to enjoy a traditional Korean feast! Now you are ready to visit a Hanjeongsik restaurant. Let’s check your memory!
Q1. Fill in the blank to order food:
“Bulgogi 2-inbun ______.” (Please give me)
Q2. True or False?
In Korea, you usually have to pay extra money to refill Kimchi (side dishes).
⬇️ Answers
- 주세요 (Juseyo)
- False (It’s usually free!)
See you next time! Annyeong! 👋🥰
