Don’t Drown in Plastic! How to Order Eco-Friendly Delivery in Korea 🌏

Phase 1: Hook & Empathy

Hello! This is your Daily Hangul Editor. 👋

Have you ever ordered Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) or Jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles) to your apartment in Korea, only to be horrified by the sheer mountain of plastic waste left behind? You finish your meal in 20 minutes, but it takes 30 minutes to wash, peel labels, and sort the recycling.

Even worse, did you receive 5 sets of wooden chopsticks when you were eating alone? 😅

Today, we are diving into the Eco-Friendly Delivery Culture in Korea. As a B2 learner, you know how to order food. But do you know how to order smartly to save the environment (and save yourself from recycling stress)?

Using these phrases not only makes you look like a conscientious resident but also earns you major respect from local shop owners. Let’s clean up our Korean skills and our planet together!

Phase 2: Deep Dive into Core Expressions

Here are the top 3 phrases you need to write in the “Request to Owner” (사장님께 요청사항) box on delivery apps like Baemin or Yogiyo.

1. 일회용 수저는 빼 주세요.

• Pronunciation: Il-hoe-yong su-jeo-neun bbae ju-se-yo.
  • ‘Su-jeo’ sounds like ‘Sue’ + ‘Joe’. It is a combination word for Sut-garak (Spoon) + Jeot-garak (Chopsticks).
• Meaning: Please leave out the disposable cutlery.
  • Literal: Please subtract the one-time-use spoon/chopsticks.
• Editor’s Insight: The verb 빼다 (to subtract/take out) is crucial here. It’s much more natural than saying “Don’t give me” (주지 마세요).
• Situation Check: 🟢 Essential for App Requests / 🟢 Phone Orders.

2. 반찬은 안 주셔도 돼요.

• Pronunciation: Ban-chan-eun an ju-shyeo-do dwae-yo.
• Meaning: You don’t need to give me side dishes.
  • Nuance: “It is okay even if you don’t give me side dishes.” This is a softer, B2-level way of refusing something compared to “반찬 필요 없어요” (I don’t need side dishes).
• Editor’s Insight: Use this when you order Pizza (no pickles needed) or Korean food (you already have Kimchi at home). It reduces food waste significantly!
• Situation Check: 🟢 Politeness Level 100%.

3. 용기에 담아 주세요. (The ‘Yonggi-nae’ Challenge)

• Pronunciation: Yong-gi-e da-ma ju-se-yo.
• Meaning: Please put it in [my] container.
• Editor’s Insight: This requires you to actually go to the store for pickup. There is a pun here: 용기 (Yonggi) means both ‘Container’ and ‘Courage’. The “#용기내 (Show Courage/Use a Container)” movement is very trendy. If you bring your own pot to a Tteokbokki shop and say this, you are officially a Korean insider!

Phase 3: Textbook vs. Real Life

Let’s upgrade your Korean from “Classroom Robot” to “Seoul Local.”

Editor’s Note: In the “Request” box on apps, Koreans often use concise phrases or add a cute emoji to soften the tone. “단무지 빼 주세요” is good, but “단무지 안 주셔도 돼요~” feels much gentler.

Phase 4: Cultural Context (Nunchi & Manners)

The “Recycling Stress” Factor

In Korea, waste separation (Bunli-sug, 분리수거) is extremely strict. If you throw food-stained plastic into the recycling bin, the security guard (Gyeongbi-ajeossi) might scold you! By asking the restaurant to “빼 주세요” (leave it out), you are saving yourself the hassle of washing oily chili paste off plastic containers.

The Silence of the App

Nowadays, 90% of ordering happens without speaking. The checkbox is your voice. However, if you have a specific allergy or truly hate food waste, do not rely solely on the default checkboxes. Write a polite custom message. Shop owners appreciate it because it saves them money on packaging!

Phase 5: Real Life Roleplay

Setting: A phone call order to a local Bossam (boiled pork) restaurant. (Because sometimes the app crashes!)
Characters: Jason (Foreign Resident), Sajangnim (Restaurant Owner)

Sajangnim: 보쌈집입니다. (Bossam House.)

Jason: 안녕하세요, 보쌈 ‘중’ 자 하나 배달해 주세요. (Hello, please deliver one medium Bossam.)

Sajangnim: 네, 주소 불러 주세요. (Okay, give me the address.)

Jason: (After giving address) 아, 사장님! 저 집에 반찬이 많아서요. 상추랑 고기만 주시고, 나머지 반찬은 빼 주셔도 돼요.
(Ah, boss! I have lots of side dishes at home. Please just give me the lettuce and meat, you can leave out the other sides.)

Sajangnim: 아, 정말요? 알겠습니다. 고기 양 넉넉히 드릴게요!
(Oh, really? Understood. I’ll give you a generous portion of meat instead!)

Jason: 와, 감사합니다! 일회용 수저도 안 주셔도 됩니다!
(Wow, thanks! You don’t need to give me disposable cutlery either!)

Phase 6: 10-Second Shadowing Drill

Let’s practice the rhythm. Don’t sound robotic! Read it with a “considerate” tone.

Target Sentence: “Since I eat at home, you don’t need to give me disposable spoons.”

집에서 먹으니까 / 일회용 수저는 / 안 주셔도 돼요.

Pronunciation Guide:
* Jib-e-seo meo-geu-ni-kka (Rising tone) /
* Il-hoe-yong su-jeo-neun (Slight pause) /
* An ju-shyeo-do dwae-yo. (Falling tone, drag the ‘yo’ slightly for softness)

Phase 7: FAQ & Troubleshooting

Q: Can I ask for a discount if I refuse side dishes?
A: Generally, No. Refusing side dishes is a personal preference or eco-friendly choice. However, as seen in the roleplay, kind owners might give you a little extra main food (Service/Seo-bi-su) as a thank you, but never demand it!

Q: What if I forget to check the “No Cutlery” box?
A: It happens! Just keep the unused wooden chopsticks in a drawer. You can use them later for cooking, or when you have guests. Do not throw away unused ones!

Phase 8: Wrap-up & Mission

One-Liner Summary:
Use “~은/는 빼 주세요” (Please leave out X) or “~안 주셔도 돼요” (You don’t need to give X) to reduce waste and earn kindness.

🔥 Your Mission:
Next time you order delivery, look for the “Request to Owner” box. Try writing: “일회용품 X, 맛있게 만들어 주세요!” (No disposables, please make it delicious!) and see if you feel lighter (spiritually and trash-bag wise).

Have you ever done the ‘Yonggi-nae’ (Container) challenge? Tell me in the comments!

Phase 9: Pop Quiz

1. How do you politely say “You don’t need to give me side dishes”?
A) 반찬 싫어요. (I hate side dishes.)
B) 반찬은 안 주셔도 돼요. (You don’t need to give side dishes.)
C) 반찬 주지 마! (Don’t give side dishes!)

2. What does “수저 (Su-jeo)” mean?
A) Spoon only
B) Chopsticks only
C) Spoon and Chopsticks set

3. Which phrase is best for a “Request to Owner” note to get extra meat instead of pickles?
A) 고기 더 줘요. (Give more meat.)
B) 피클 빼고 고기 많이 주세요! (Leave out pickles and give lots of meat please!)
C) 피클 맛없어요. (Pickles taste bad.)

(Answers: 1. B, 2. C, 3. B)