Ordering Food in Korean: The Phrases You Actually Need
Written and reviewed by Jun and Jin, native Korean speakers
Published · Updated · How we write & review
After this page, you can order a meal in Korean — call the staff, order, ask for more and pay.
10-second answer
How do you say how to order food in Korean?
Ordering food in Korean follows a predictable rhythm: call the staff (여기요/저기요, yeogiyo/jeogiyo), name what you want plus a counter word, ask for banchan refills if needed, and signal you're ready to pay. A handful of set phrases cover nearly the entire meal from start to finish.
Quick check — did that land?
1. How do you call a server over?
여기요, 이거 주세요. Use this to get the server's attention and order by pointing at the menu.
Full Dialogue Walkthrough
See the same restaurant visit play out three ways — a straightforward order, one with a spice-level request, and a group order. Try the "Practice as" toggle above the dialogue to hide your lines and say them yourself before revealing.
몇 분이세요?
myeot buniseyo?
How many people?
한 명이요.
han myeongiyo.
One person.
여기요! 이거 주세요.
yeogiyo! igeo juseyo.
Excuse me! This one, please.
Pointing at the menu — works even if you can't read it.
네, 알겠습니다.
ne, algetseumnida.
Okay, got it.
계산할게요.
gyesanhalgeyo.
I'd like to pay, please.
이거 맵나요?
igeo maemnayo?
Is this spicy?
네, 조금 매워요.
ne, jogeum maewoyo.
Yes, it's a little spicy.
덜 맵게 해 주세요.
deol maepge hae juseyo.
Could you make it less spicy?
덜 (less) + 맵게 (spicy, adverb form) + 해 주세요 (please make it).
네, 그렇게 해 드릴게요.
ne, geureoke hae deurilgeyo.
Sure, I'll do that for you.
몇 분이세요?
myeot buniseyo?
How many people?
네 명이요.
ne myeongiyo.
Four people.
넷 → 네 before the counter 명, the shortened counting form.
삼겹살 사 인분 주세요.
samgyeopsal sa inbun juseyo.
Four servings of samgyeopsal, please.
인분 (servings) — a different counter from 명 (people).
음료는 뭐로 하시겠어요?
eumnyoneun mworo hasigesseoyo?
What would you like to drink?
소주 두 병 주세요.
soju du byeong juseyo.
Two bottles of soju, please.
See also: 반찬 (banchan) meaning
Getting Seated and Calling Staff
몇 분이세요?
myeot buniseyo?
How many people?
What staff typically ask when you walk in.
두 명이요.
du myeongiyo.
Two people.
명 (myeong) — the counter word for people.
여기요!
yeogiyo!
Excuse me! (over here)
The standard way to call a server — see the jeogiyo page for the full explanation.
At a barbecue place the table is set before you've even ordered: a grill and a spread of side dishes and dipping sauces. What you get differs from restaurant to restaurant, so don't be surprised if it looks different next time.
Ordering
이거 주세요.
igeo juseyo.
This one, please.
Pointing at a menu item — works almost anywhere.
삼겹살 이 인분 주세요.
samgyeopsal i inbun juseyo.
Two servings of samgyeopsal, please.
인분 (inbun) — the counter for servings, common at BBQ places.
이거 맵나요?
igeo maemnayo?
Is this spicy?
덜 맵게 해 주세요.
deol maepge hae juseyo.
Could you make it less spicy?
To read the menu before you order, print our free Korean menu words chart — 70 words from real menus.
During the Meal
반찬 더 주세요.
banchan deo juseyo.
More side dishes, please.
Covered fully on the banchan page — refills are usually free.
물 좀 주세요.
mul jom juseyo.
Some water, please.
맛있어요!
masisseoyo!
It's delicious!
A small, appreciated comment to staff.
Paying and Leaving
계산할게요.
gyesanhalgeyo.
I'd like to pay, please.
잘 먹었습니다.
jal meogeotseumnida.
That was a great meal (thank you).
Said on the way out — covered on the jal-meokgetseumnida page.
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Waiting silently for a server to notice you
As covered on the jeogiyo page, calling out is normal and expected, not rude.
Mistake #2 — Forgetting counter words for group orders
인분 (servings) and 명 (people) matter for ordering the right quantity — 이 인분 (two servings) is very different from just saying "two."
If the menu lists 찌개, 국 and 탕, this comparison tells you what you're ordering.
Mini Quiz
2 short questions — about 1 minute
2. What does 인분 mean in a food order?
3. How do you signal you're ready to pay?
Part of Korean Phrases for Travelers
Related Knowledge
Learn Next
Convenience Store Korean Phrases
Restaurants covered — the convenience store is the other everyday spot you'll need real Korean for.
Will you remember this tomorrow?
Save it — your daily review brings it back right before you'd forget. No account needed.