Say 채식주의자예요 (chaesikjuuijayeyo) meaning 'I'm a vegetarian', or 고기 안 먹어요 (gogi an meogeoyo) for 'I don't eat meat'. Be aware that many Korean dishes contain meat or fish-based broths, so you may need to ask specifically about ingredients. Temple restaurants (사찰 음식) are excellent for vegetarian Korean cuisine.
Do I tip at restaurants in Korea?
No, tipping is not customary in Korea and can sometimes cause confusion. Service charges are typically included in your bill at higher-end restaurants. Simply pay the stated amount and say 잘 먹었습니다 (jal meogeotseumnida, 'I ate well') as you leave. This cultural difference makes dining out straightforward once you know not to tip.
How do you call a waiter in Korean?
Say 저기요 (jeogiyo), which means 'excuse me' or 'over here'. Many restaurants also have call buttons at tables that you can press to summon staff. Avoid saying 'waiter' or 'waitress' directly. 저기요 is polite and appropriate for getting anyone's attention in service situations, not just restaurants.
What does 맛있어요 mean in Korean?
맛있어요 (masisseoyo) means 'it's delicious' or 'it tastes good'. This is one of the most useful phrases for complimenting food. The opposite is 맛없어요 (madeopseoyo) meaning 'it doesn't taste good', though you'd rarely use this directly to staff. You might also hear 맛있게 드세요 (masitge deuseyo) from servers, meaning 'enjoy your meal'.
Can you split the bill at Korean restaurants?
While splitting bills is becoming more common, especially among younger Koreans, it's traditionally less standard than in Western countries. One person typically pays for the group, with the expectation that others will treat next time. If you want to split, ask 따로 계산할 수 있어요? (ttaro gyesanhal su isseoyo?, 'can we pay separately?'). Some restaurants may accommodate this, while others prefer a single payment.