More Kimchi, Please! Essential Korean Dining Phrases

Hello! This is 매일한글 (Maeil Hangul), here to upgrade your Korean skills! 😊

Have you ever watched a K-drama and seen characters enjoying a delicious Korean BBQ meal? Or maybe you’ve seen a mukbang (eating broadcast) and wished you could be there? Eating is a huge part of Korean culture, and today, I’m going to teach you the most important phrases to order food and make requests like a pro. These days in Korea, visiting trendy restaurants and sharing food pictures is super popular. With these phrases, you can confidently join in on the fun!

Let’s learn how to say “Please give me…” so you can get exactly what you want.

Core Expressions You MUST Know!

Here are the essential building blocks for making requests while dining in Korea.

• 한국어 표현: …주세요 (Juseyo)
  • 발음 [로마자]: …ju-se-yo
  • 영어 뜻: Please give me…
  • 상세 설명: This is the magic phrase for ordering and asking for anything politely. You simply put the noun (the thing you want) in front of 주세요. It’s a combination of the verb 주다 (juda – to give) and the polite ending -(으)세요 (-euseyo). You can use it with servers, shopkeepers, and anyone you need to ask for something from.
• 한국어 표현: 이거 (Igeo)
  • 발음 [로마자]: i-geo
  • 영어 뜻: This one / This thing
  • 상세 설명: Don’t know the name of a menu item? No problem! Just point and say 이거. It’s the most useful word when you’re looking at a menu. Combine it with our magic phrase: “이거 주세요!” (Igeo juseyo!) means “Please give me this one!”
• 한국어 표현: 더 (Deo)
  • 발음 [로마자]: deo
  • 영어 뜻: More
  • 상세 설명: Love the side dishes (banchan)? In Korea, you can often get free refills! To ask for more, just use 더. For example, if you want more kimchi, you can say “김치 더 주세요!” (Gimchi deo juseyo!).
• 한국어 표현: 좀 (Jom)
  • 발음 [로마자]: jom
  • 영어 뜻: Please (used as a softener) / a little
  • 상세 설명: While 주세요 is already polite, adding 좀 makes your request sound even softer and more natural. It’s like saying “Can I please have…” instead of just “Give me…”. You place it right before 주세요. For example: “물 좀 주세요.” (Mul jom juseyo.) – “Can I please have some water?”

Example Dialogue at a Restaurant

Let’s see how these phrases work in a real conversation! Imagine you (A) are at a trendy Tteokbokki restaurant in Seoul.

A: 저기요! 메뉴 좀 주세요.
(Jeogiyo! Menyu jom juseyo.)
Excuse me! Can I please have a menu?

B (Server): 네, 여기 있습니다.
(Ne, yeogi itseumnida.)
Yes, here you are.

(A points to a picture of cheese tteokbokki on the menu)

A: 음… 이거 하나 주세요.
(Eum… Igeo hana juseyo.)
Umm… Please give me one of this.

B (Server): 네. 치즈 떡볶이 하나요. 더 필요한 건 없으세요?
(Ne. Chijeu tteokbokki hanayo. Deo piryohan geon eopseuseyo?)
Okay. One cheese tteokbokki. Do you need anything else?

A: 아, 그리고 단무지 더 주세요!
(A, geurigo danmuji deo juseyo!)
Ah, and more pickled radish, please!

Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive

The Amazing Culture of FREE Side Dish Refills!

One of the best things about eating at a traditional Korean restaurant is the banchan (반찬), the small side dishes that come with your main course. You’ll see K-pop idols and drama characters enjoying these all the time!

Here’s the secret tip: In almost every restaurant, the banchan is refillable for free! This isn’t a special request; it’s a normal part of the dining culture. So, if you finish that delicious kimchi or fish cake, don’t be shy. Catch the server’s attention and confidently say, “[Side dish name] 더 주세요!”. Knowing this and using the phrase will make you look like a true Korean food expert!

Let’s Review and Practice!

Great job today! You learned how to order food and ask for more using the super important phrase …주세요 (juseyo). You also learned how to use 이거 (this one), 더 (more), and 좀 (please/a little) to sound more natural.

Now, let’s test your skills!

1. Fill in the blank: You want to order Bulgogi. You say: “___________ 주세요.”
2. Make a sentence: How would you politely ask for “more water”? (Hint: Water is 물 [mul])

Leave your answers in the comments below! Also, tell us what Korean food you want to order using “주세요” on your next trip! Keep practicing! 👍