Unleash Your Korean! How to Order at a Dog Cafe
Hello! This is [Daily Hangul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Have you ever scrolled through Instagram and seen adorable pictures of people in cafes surrounded by puppies in Korea? Welcome to the wonderful world of 애견 카페 (aegyeon kape), or dog cafes! Nowadays in Korea, visiting a dog cafe is a super popular weekend activity for friends and couples. Even K-pop idols are often spotted at these places! But how do you order your coffee and a treat for your new furry friend? Don’t worry! Today, we’ll learn the essential Korean phrases to help you navigate a dog cafe like a pro.
Core Expressions You Need to Know
Here are three key expressions that will make your dog cafe experience smooth and fun!
1. 입장료 (ip-jang-ryo)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: ip-jang-ryo
- English Meaning: Entrance fee
- Detailed Explanation: Most dog cafes in Korea have an 입장료. This fee usually includes one free drink and covers the cost of caring for the dogs. It’s the very first thing you’ll likely need to ask about when you walk in. It’s a formal word, so you can use it confidently with the staff.
2. 강아지 간식 (gang-a-ji gan-sik)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: gang-a-ji gan-sik
- English Meaning: Dog snack / dog treat
- Detailed Explanation: This is the magic phrase! 강아지 (gang-a-ji) means ‘puppy’ or ‘dog,’ and 간식 (gan-sik) means ‘snack.’ If you want to become the most popular person in the room, you’ll definitely want to buy some 강아지 간식. The staff will show you what’s available.
3. ~아/어/해도 돼요? (~a/eo/hae-do dwae-yo?)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: ~a/eo/hae-do dwae-yo?
- English Meaning: Is it okay if I…? / May I…?
- Detailed Explanation: This is a super useful grammar pattern for asking for permission. You attach it to a verb stem. It’s polite and perfect for asking questions at the cafe.
- 먹다 (meok-da – to eat) → 먹어도 돼요? (meog-eo-do dwae-yo? – Is it okay to eat?)
- 주다 (ju-da – to give) → 줘도 돼요? (jwo-do dwae-yo? – Is it okay to give?)
- 사진 찍다 (sajin jjik-da – to take a photo) → 사진 찍어도 돼요? (sajin jjig-eo-do dwae-yo? – May I take a photo?)
Example Dialogue
Let’s see how these expressions work in a real conversation at a dog cafe!
- A (You): 안녕하세요! 입장료는 얼마예요?
(Annyeonghaseyo! Ip-jang-ryo-neun eolma-yeyo?)
(Hello! How much is the entrance fee?) - B (Staff): 안녕하세요! 음료 한 잔 포함해서 만 원입니다.
(Annyeonghaseyo! Eum-ryo han jan poham-haeseo man won-imnida.)
(Hello! It’s 10,000 won, including one drink.) - A (You): 알겠습니다. 아이스 아메리카노 한 잔이랑, 강아지 간식도 주세요.
(Algesseumnida. Aiseu amerikano han jan-irang, gang-a-ji gan-sik-do juseyo.)
(Okay. One iced Americano and some dog treats, please.) - B (Staff): 네, 여기 있습니다.
(Ne, yeogi itseumnida.)
(Yes, here you are.) - A (You): 감사합니다! 저기 작은 강아지에게 이 간식 줘도 돼요?
(Gamsahamnida! Jeogi jageun gang-a-ji-ege i gan-sik jwo-do dwae-yo?)
(Thank you! Is it okay to give this treat to that small dog over there?) - B (Staff): 네, 그럼요! 아주 좋아할 거예요.
(Ne, geureom-yo! Aju joa-hal geo-yeyo.)
(Yes, of course! It will love it.)
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
Welcome to the ‘Pet-Friendly’ Era!
Korea is embracing a “pet-friendly” (반려동물 친화) culture more than ever. Dog cafes are not just for playing with dogs; they are trendy spots to hang out.
- The “Puppuccino” Trend: Many cafes now offer a “퍼푸치노” (peo-pu-chi-no), a cute, dog-safe cappuccino made of lactose-free milk foam. It’s a must-have item for taking the perfect Instagram shot with your furry friend!
- Be a Polite Guest: While it’s tempting to feed every cute dog you see, it’s polite to ask the owner or staff first. You can use our key phrase: “간식 줘도 돼요?” (gan-sik jwo-do dwae-yo?). Knowing this little bit of etiquette will make you look like a true Korea expert!
Let’s Review and Practice!
Great job today! You’ve learned how to handle yourself at a Korean dog cafe. You know how to ask about the 입장료 (entrance fee), buy some 강아지 간식 (dog treats), and politely ask for permission using ~아/어/해도 돼요?.
Now, let’s test your knowledge!
- Fill in the blank: You want to ask if you can take a picture with a cute Corgi.
- “이 강아지랑 같이 사진 ______ ______?” (i gang-a-ji-rang gachi sajin ______ ______?)
- Your Turn: Imagine you are at a dog cafe. How would you order one vanilla latte and one snack for the dogs?
You’re all set for your dog cafe adventure! Try leaving a comment below using one of the phrases we learned today. I’d love to see you try
