This is a longer word. Break it into chunks: 'chae-sik' (vegetables) + 'ju-ui-ja' (believer/practitioner).
알레르기 있어요
allereugi isseoyo
I have an allergy
'Allereugi' is borrowed from English 'allergy'. The 'isseoyo' means 'to have' or 'to exist'.
During Your Meal
These phrases help you handle situations that come up while you're eating, from requesting extras to giving compliments.
더 주세요
deo juseyo
More, please
'Deo' means 'more' and is pronounced like 'duh' with a slight 'oh' sound.
반찬 더 주세요
banchan deo juseyo
More side dishes, please
'Banchan' is two syllables with equal stress. The 'ch' is soft.
맛있어요
masisseoyo
It's delicious
The 'si' part has a slight 'sh' sound. The double 'ss' makes it tense.
포장 가능해요?
pojang ganeunghaeyo
Can I get this to go?
'Pojang' means 'packaging' or 'wrapping'. 'Ganeunghaeyo' means 'is it possible?'
Paying the Bill
When you're ready to leave, these phrases will help you settle up smoothly. Note that in Korea, it's common to pay at the register rather than at your table.
계산서 주세요
gyesanseo juseyo
Bill, please
The 'gye' starts with a soft 'g' sound that's almost like 'k'. 'Sanseo' flows together smoothly.
카드 돼요?
kadeu dwaeyo
Do you take cards?
'Kadeu' is borrowed from 'card'. The 'dwaeyo' means 'does it work?' or 'is it okay?'
영수증 주세요
yeongsujeung juseyo
Receipt, please
'Yeongsujeung' has three syllables. The 'jeung' ends with a nasal 'ng' sound.
잘 먹었습니다
jal meogeotseumnida
Thank you for the meal
This is formal and slightly longer. The 'seumnida' ending is very polite. Practice this one as it's culturally important.
Common Food Items in Korean
Knowing basic food vocabulary helps you understand menus and make specific requests. Here are essential items you'll encounter frequently.
밥
bap
Rice
A short, crisp single syllable. The final 'p' is barely released.
김치
gimchi
Kimchi
The 'g' is soft, almost like a 'k'. Many foreigners say 'kimchi' but 'gimchi' is more accurate.
고기
gogi
Meat
Two equal syllables. Keep both 'o's consistent in length.
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.