You sit down at a restaurant in Korea.

The menu is in front of you.

The food looks incredible.

And then you realize something:

How do I actually order?

Do you wait for the server?

Do you raise your hand?

Can you say “excuse me”?

What if the food is too spicy?

And what exactly are you supposed to say while pointing at the menu?

The good news is that ordering food in Korea requires far less Korean than you might think.

You don't need complete sentences.

You don't need perfect pronunciation.

And you definitely don't need to understand everything the server says back to you.

A handful of practical phrases — combined with pointing, numbers and a little confidence — can get you through most everyday restaurants in Korea.

Here's how it actually works.

An illustrated guide to ordering food in Korean with essential restaurant phrases travelers can use during a trip to Korea.

The 5 Korean Restaurant Phrases to Learn First

If you don't want to memorize this entire guide, memorize these five:

Korean	Pronunciation	Meaning
저기요	Jeogiyo	Excuse me / Get someone's attention
이거 주세요	Igeo juseyo	This one, please
매워요?	Maewoyo?	Is it spicy?
포장해 주세요	Pojanghae juseyo	Please pack it to go
계산할게요	Gyesanhalgeyo	I'd like to pay

Those five phrases can handle a surprising amount of your restaurant experience.

But let's go through the entire meal.

1. Entering the Restaurant

You walk through the door and hear:

어서 오세요!
Eoseo oseyo!

It means something like:

“Welcome!”

You don't need to come up with a complicated response.

A smile or simple 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) is perfectly fine.

Then you may immediately be asked how many people are in your group.

For two people:

두 명이요.
Du myeong-iyo.
Two people.

Three:

세 명이요.
Se myeong-iyo.
Three people.

Four:

네 명이요.
Ne myeong-iyo.
Four people.

If numbers disappear from your brain at exactly that moment?

Hold up your fingers.

Seriously.

Communication matters more than passing a Korean-language exam.

2. How Do You Call a Server in Korea?

This is one of those tiny cultural differences that can make a foreign traveler strangely nervous.

You're ready to order.

Nobody is standing beside your table.

Now what?

First, look at the table.

Is there a call button?

If yes:

Press it.

That's what it's there for.

You don't need to sit quietly hoping someone notices you.

If there isn't one, a very useful expression is:

저기요!

Jeogiyo!

Think of it as a practical “Excuse me!” for getting someone's attention.

You'll also hear:

여기요!

Yeogiyo!

Literally, it has the feeling of “Over here!”, and it's also used in restaurants.

Both expressions exist in real Korean restaurant usage. For a traveler who wants one neutral expression to remember, 저기요 is an easy default because it doesn't require you to guess the employee's age, gender or role.

Korean Local Tip

You may hear Koreans call restaurant staff things like:

사장님 (sajangnim)
이모 (imo)

Don't feel that you need to copy everything you hear.

Those expressions carry more social context than a simple translation suggests.

As a traveler, 저기요 plus a polite tone works without requiring you to figure out someone's relationship, age or position.

And please don't worry that politely getting a server's attention is automatically rude.

In many Korean restaurants, the customer actively signaling that they need something is completely normal.

A practical guide showing travelers how to get a server's attention in a Korean restaurant by using a call button or saying jeogiyo.

3. The Most Powerful Restaurant Pattern: 주세요

If you learn one Korean pattern for restaurants, make it:

주세요

Juseyo

It roughly means:

“Please give me…”

Put what you want before it.

Water:

물 주세요.
Mul juseyo.
Water, please.

Menu:

메뉴판 주세요.
Menyupan juseyo.
Menu, please.

And the traveler's superpower:

이거 주세요.

Igeo juseyo.

This one, please.

Point at a menu photo while saying it.

Done.

You just ordered in Korean.

This same simple pattern is widely taught as one of the most useful ways for travelers to order when they don't know the exact dish name.

4. “This One, Please” Will Save You Again and Again

Let's be realistic.

You aren't going to memorize the Korean name of every dish before your trip.

And you don't need to.

If there's a photo or clearly marked menu item:

👉 point

then say:

이거 주세요.
Igeo juseyo.

If you're ordering two:

이거 두 개 주세요.
Igeo du gae juseyo.
Two of these, please.

This works beyond restaurants too.

You'll find yourself using 이거 주세요 while shopping, ordering snacks and buying things throughout Korea.

It's one of the highest-value Korean phrases a traveler can learn.

5. How to Ask “What's Good Here?”

Sometimes the problem isn't language.

It's that everything looks good.

Try:

뭐가 맛있어요?

Mwoga masisseoyo?

What's good here?

Or:

6. How to Ask If Something Is Spicy

Learn this one:

매워요?

Maewoyo?

Is it spicy?

Short.

Easy.

Very useful.

If you actively want something that isn't spicy:

안 매운 거 있어요?

An maeun geo isseoyo?

Do you have anything that isn't spicy?

Both are practical restaurant expressions used in contemporary Korean travel-language guides.

But there is something you should understand.

“Not spicy” is subjective.

A Korean person saying:

“It's not really spicy.”

may not mean the same thing as someone who rarely eats spicy food saying:

“It's not spicy.”

So if you have very low spice tolerance, don't rely only on facial expressions and optimistic reassurance.

Ask before ordering.

A Korean language infographic explaining how travelers can use juseyo to order food, request water, ask for a menu and request another item.

7. How to Order Portions

At some Korean restaurants — particularly barbecue restaurants — you'll encounter:

인분

Inbun

It means a serving or portion for a person.

For example:

2인분 = two servings
3인분 = three servings

You may also encounter restaurants where certain dishes have a minimum order requirement.

Don't assume that one listed portion always means “one individual Western-style plate.”

Korean meals are often structured around dishes shared at the table.

If you're unsure, point at the menu and confirm the quantity.

8. What If There's a Kiosk or Tablet?

Sometimes none of these ordering phrases are necessary.

You walk in and find:

a kiosk,

a tablet,

or a screen attached to the table.

Welcome to modern Korean restaurant ordering.

Depending on the restaurant, you may select your food directly on the screen instead of giving your order verbally.

Some systems offer English.

Some are easier than others.

And occasionally you'll stare at a screen wondering what button just changed your entire order.

Don't panic.

If you're stuck, use:

도와주세요.

Dowajuseyo.

Please help me.

That's not failure.

That's exactly what the phrase is for.

9. “Water, Please”

Simple:

물 주세요.

Mul juseyo.

Water, please.

But before calling someone over, look around.

Depending on the restaurant, water may already be on your table or there may be a self-service water station.

This is something visitors gradually notice in Korea:

Not every restaurant handles service the same way.

Look at what the other tables are doing before assuming you need to ask for everything.

10. What About the Free Side Dishes?

One of the things many first-time visitors notice immediately is:

반찬 (banchan)

The small side dishes served with many Korean meals.

Depending on the restaurant and dish, these may be provided as part of the meal rather than ordered individually.

If you want more of something, you can ask:

반찬 좀 더 주세요.

Banchan jom deo juseyo.

More side dishes, please.

But first look around for a self-service area.

Some restaurants expect customers to refill certain side dishes themselves.

Local Rule

If you see other customers repeatedly walking to a small station with empty dishes...

there's a good chance you've just discovered the refill system.

Watch what locals do.

It's one of the easiest ways to understand an unfamiliar Korean restaurant.

11. How to Say “One More, Please”

Want another one?

하나 더 주세요.

Hana deo juseyo.

One more, please.

Need more water?

물 좀 더 주세요.
Mul jom deo juseyo.

More of a side dish?

반찬 좀 더 주세요.
Banchan jom deo juseyo.

Notice how the language starts becoming modular.

You don't need 100 memorized sentences.

You need a few building blocks.

12. How to Ask for Takeout

One of the most useful phrases:

포장해 주세요.

Pojanghae juseyo.

Please pack it to go.

If you're ordering from the beginning and want takeaway, this phrase can communicate that.

You'll also encounter situations where staff ask whether you're eating there or taking the food away.

For eating there:

여기서 먹을게요.

Yeogiseo meogeulgeyo.

I'll eat here.

These phrases are particularly useful in cafés, bakeries and casual restaurants.

13. How Do You Pay at a Korean Restaurant?

This surprises some first-time visitors.

At many casual Korean restaurants, you don't sit at the table waiting for someone to bring you a bill.

Instead:

you finish eating → walk toward the counter → pay there.

If you need to tell someone you're ready to pay:

계산할게요.

Gyesanhalgeyo.

I'd like to pay.

Want to ask whether cards are accepted?

카드 돼요?

Kadeu dwaeyo?

Can I pay by card?

Contemporary Korean travel-language guides also teach 계산할게요 for paying and note that counter payment is common in restaurants.

Of course, restaurant systems vary.

Some places use:

table payment,

kiosks,

QR or digital systems,

or different checkout arrangements.

So again:

Look first.

Korean restaurants usually give you visual clues about how the system works.

A Korean restaurant phrase guide showing how to ask whether food is spicy and whether a non-spicy option is available.

14. What Should You Say When Leaving?

Here's a phrase you'll hear constantly:

잘 먹었습니다.

Jal meogeotseumnida.

Literally translating it doesn't capture the feeling perfectly.

In a restaurant context, it communicates something like:

“Thank you for the meal.”

You don't have to say it.

But it's a very natural and polite thing to say as you leave after eating.

Even if your pronunciation isn't perfect, the intention is immediately understandable.

15. The Restaurant Cheat Sheet

Save this before your trip.

Situation	Korean	Pronunciation	Meaning
Get attention	저기요	Jeogiyo	Excuse me
Ready to order	주문할게요	Jumunhalgeyo	I'd like to order
Point and order	이거 주세요	Igeo juseyo	This one, please
Ask recommendation	추천해 주세요	Chucheonhae juseyo	Please recommend something
Ask about spice	매워요?	Maewoyo?	Is it spicy?
Find non-spicy food	안 매운 거 있어요?	An maeun geo isseoyo?	Anything not spicy?
Water	물 주세요	Mul juseyo	Water, please
More side dishes	반찬 좀 더 주세요	Banchan jom deo juseyo	More side dishes, please
One more	하나 더 주세요	Hana deo juseyo	One more, please
Takeout	포장해 주세요	Pojanghae juseyo	Please pack it to go
Eat here	여기서 먹을게요	Yeogiseo meogeulgeyo	I'll eat here
Need help	도와주세요	Dowajuseyo	Please help me
Pay	계산할게요	Gyesanhalgeyo	I'd like to pay
Card?	카드 돼요?	Kadeu dwaeyo?	Can I pay by card?
Leaving	잘 먹었습니다	Jal meogeotseumnida	Thank you for the meal

A saveable Korean restaurant survival card with five essential phrases for calling staff, ordering food, checking spice, requesting takeout and paying.

The Korean Restaurant Survival Formula

Still too many phrases?

Then remember this:

저기요 → 이거 주세요 → 감사합니다

Jeogiyo
Get someone's attention.

↓

Igeo juseyo
Point and order.

↓

Gamsahamnida
Say thank you.

That's enough to get you surprisingly far.

Add:

매워요?

if you're worried about spice.

Add:

계산할게요

when you're ready to pay.

That's basically your first Korean restaurant survival kit.

5 Restaurant Mistakes Foreign Travelers Don't Need to Make

1. Waiting forever for someone to notice you

If there's a call button, use it.

If there isn't, politely call the staff.

2. Thinking you need perfect Korean

You don't.

Pointing + one useful phrase beats silently struggling with a perfect sentence in your head.

3. Copying every expression you hear Koreans use

Context matters.

Stick with neutral, polite phrases until you understand the social nuance.

4. Assuming “not spicy” guarantees zero heat

Ask questions if spice really matters to you.

5. Waiting at the table for the bill forever

Look toward the counter.

You may simply need to walk over and pay.

A step-by-step Korean restaurant guide showing useful phrases from entering the restaurant and ordering food to paying and leaving.

FAQ

Can I order food in Korea without speaking Korean?

Absolutely. Many restaurants have menu photos, kiosks, tablets or other ordering systems, and pointing while saying 이거 주세요 can handle many ordinary situations.

Is it rude to call a server in a Korean restaurant?

No. In restaurants where staff aren't continuously checking each table, getting their attention is normal. Use a call button if available or politely say 저기요.

What's the easiest Korean phrase for ordering food?

이거 주세요 (igeo juseyo) — “This one, please.” Point to the menu item while saying it.

How do I ask if food is spicy?

Say 매워요? (maewoyo?). If you're looking specifically for non-spicy food, ask 안 매운 거 있어요? (an maeun geo isseoyo?).

How do I ask for takeaway?

Say 포장해 주세요 (pojanghae juseyo).

Do I pay at the table in Korea?

At many casual restaurants, payment is handled at a counter, but systems vary. Check the restaurant before assuming where payment happens.

Do I need to tip?

Tipping is not generally part of the ordinary Korean restaurant routine. Don't assume you need to calculate an additional percentage at the end of a normal meal.

Final Thought

Ordering food in another language feels much harder before you do it than after.

Your first Korean restaurant might feel intimidating.

By the third one?

You'll probably be pointing at a menu and saying:

이거 주세요.

without thinking about it.

That's the goal.

You don't need to sound Korean.

You don't need flawless pronunciation.

You just need enough Korean to make the interaction easier.

Learn a few phrases.

Watch how the restaurant works.

Point when you need to.

Smile when things get confusing.

And enjoy the food.

Because that's why you walked into the restaurant in the first place.

Keep Exploring Korean Food & Language

Want a broader set of Korean expressions for your entire trip? Our 25 Essential Korean Phrases for Travelers: What You'll Actually Use in Korea covers useful Korean for restaurants, shopping, transportation and everyday situations.

Knowing the words is only half the story. Our How Korean Restaurants Really Work: Ordering, Free Side Dishes, No Tipping & Local Etiquette explains the unwritten restaurant rules that can surprise first-time visitors to Korea.

Curious about the meaning behind one of Korea's most symbolic foods? Read Why Do Koreans Eat Seaweed Soup on Their Birthday? The Meaning of Miyeokguk to discover why this simple dish carries much more meaning in Korea than visitors might expect.

How to Order Food in Korean: Essential Restaurant Phrases for Travelers