How Foreigners Can Order Korean Food with Ease

1️⃣ Ordering at a Korean Restaurant: The Basics and Etiquette

Dining out in Korea can be a unique and exciting experience for foreigners—but also slightly confusing at first. In most Korean restaurants, instead of waiting for a server to approach, customers press a call button (벨) located on the table to get the staff’s attention. If there’s no button, a simple “jeogiyo (저기요),” meaning “Excuse me,” will do the trick.

Menus are often in Korean, especially in local eateries, but tourist-friendly areas such as Itaewon, Hongdae, Gangnam, or near universities typically provide English or picture menus. Even if you’re unsure how to pronounce the name of a dish, pointing to the item on the menu and saying “igeo hana juseyo (이거 하나 주세요)” meaning “Please give me one of this” will work well.

Also, remember that side dishes (banchan) like kimchi, pickled radish, and soup are often free and refillable—you can politely ask, “banchan deo juseyo (반찬 더 주세요)” if you’d like more. Lastly, it’s good etiquette to return your tray if the restaurant uses self-service, and don’t tip—it’s not customary in Korea and may even be refused.

 

2️⃣ Using Food Delivery Apps: A Game-Changer for Non-Korean Speakers

Food delivery is a major part of Korean culture, and thanks to technology, you can now order almost anything to your door. However, the apps can be intimidating at first for foreigners, as most are in Korean. The two most popular delivery apps are Baemin (배달의민족) and Yogiyo (요기요). While these apps have begun introducing limited English support, full translations are often missing. That’s where apps like Shuttle Delivery and Coupang Eats come in handy—they offer English interfaces and foreigner-friendly restaurants.

To order on Baemin, you’ll typically need:

• A Korean address written in Korean characters
• A Korean phone number for verification
• KakaoPay or Korean debit/credit card (most foreign cards are not accepted)

Pro Tip: Save your address using Naver Map or Kakao Map and copy-paste it into the app. Many foreigners also keep screenshots or use translation apps like Papago to navigate menus. And if you don’t want contact, choose “문 앞에 두고 가주세요 (Leave at the door)” during checkout for no-contact delivery.

 

3️⃣ Useful Korean Phrases for Food Ordering

Learning a few basic Korean phrases can go a long way in making your dining experience smoother and more enjoyable. Here are some common expressions that are easy to learn and very effective:

• “이거 하나 주세요 (Igeo hana juseyo)” – Please give me one of this.
• “덜 맵게 해 주세요 (Deol maepge hae juseyo)” – Please make it less spicy.
• “물 좀 주세요 (Mul jom juseyo)” – Please give me some water.
• “계산이요 (Gyesan-iyo)” – Check, please.
• “포장해주세요 (Pojang hae juseyo)” – Please pack it for to-go.

Also, keep in mind that many Korean dishes are shared—this means the food will arrive in large portions meant for multiple people. If you're dining alone, look for menu sections labeled 혼밥 (honbap) or 1인분 (il-inbun), which mean “single-serving meals.”

Restaurants with self-service water, utensils, and napkins will usually have a corner labeled “셀프 (self).” Feel free to get up and help yourself—it’s expected!

 

4️⃣ Cultural Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Beyond language and apps, there are some key cultural differences foreigners should know when ordering Korean food. First, don’t expect servers to check on your table frequently. In Korea, it’s normal to call staff when needed. Also, many Korean dishes include spicy ingredients by default. If you’re not good with heat, always mention “no spicy, please (안 매운 거 주세요)” when ordering.

Some smaller restaurants may not offer substitutions or special customizations (like “no onions”), as recipes tend to be fixed. In such cases, showing flexibility and understanding goes a long way. When it comes to payment, most restaurants accept credit cards, but smaller places might be cash-only—so always keep some cash (₩10,000–₩20,000) handy.

Finally, be open-minded. Korean food is rich in flavor and tradition, from street snacks like tteokbokki to hearty stews like kimchi jjigae. Trying unfamiliar dishes is part of the fun. And if you’re ever unsure, ask locals for recommendations—Koreans are often happy to help, especially if they see you making the effort to speak their language or try their cuisine.

 

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Ordering food in Korea doesn’t have to be stressful, even if you’re new to the country or the language. With a few phrases, some app hacks, and a willingness to adapt to local dining culture, you’ll find that Korea offers one of the most foreigner-friendly food scenes in Asia. Whether you're eating at a busy restaurant or getting late-night ramen delivered to your door, these tips will help you navigate Korean cuisine with ease and confidence. So go ahead—press that call button, order your favorite bibimbap, and enjoy the delicious adventure ahead!