Discovering local flavors is a highlight of traveling, and sometimes you find a traditional drink so delicious you want to recreate it at home. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists asking market vendors about the recipes for traditional Korean drinks. Learn how to inquire about ingredients, preparation steps, and express your appreciation politely.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 이 전통 음료 레시피 좀 알려주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i jeon-tong eum-ryo re-si-pi jom al-lyeo-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you please tell me the recipe for this traditional drink?
Basic Questions About the Drink
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Expression: 이 음료 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i eum-ryo i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of this drink? -
Expression: 이건 무슨 맛이에요?
Pronunciation: i-geon mu-seun mat-i-e-yo?
Meaning: What does this taste like? -
Expression: 달콤해요? / 셔요? / 써요?
Pronunciation: dal-kom-hae-yo? / syeo-yo? / sseo-yo?
Meaning: Is it sweet? / Sour? / Bitter? -
Expression: 주재료가 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: ju-jae-ryo-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the main ingredient? -
Expression: 직접 만드신 거예요?
Pronunciation: jik-jeop man-deu-sin geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Did you make this yourself? -
Expression: 이거 따뜻하게 마시는 거예요, 차갑게 마시는 거예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo tta-tteut-ha-ge ma-si-neun geo-ye-yo, cha-gap-ge ma-si-neun geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Is this drunk warm or cold? -
Expression: 건강에 좋은 건가요?
Pronunciation: geon-gang-e jo-eun geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it good for health? -
Expression: 어떤 효능이 있어요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon hyo-neung-i is-seo-yo?
Meaning: What kind of benefits does it have? -
Expression: 아이들도 마실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: a-i-deul-do ma-sil su is-seo-yo?
Meaning: Can children drink it too? -
Expression: 알코올 들어있어요?
Pronunciation: al-ko-ol deul-eo-is-seo-yo?
Meaning: Does it contain alcohol?
Asking About Recipe Details
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Expression: 레시피 좀 가르쳐 주세요.
Pronunciation: re-si-pi jom ga-reu-chyeo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please teach me the recipe. -
Expression: 어떤 재료가 필요해요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jae-ryo-ga pil-yo-hae-yo?
Meaning: What ingredients are needed? -
Expression: 재료 목록을 적어주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: jae-ryo mong-nok-eul jeok-eo-ju-sil su is-seo-yo?
Meaning: Could you write down the list of ingredients? -
Expression: 만드는 방법을 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: man-deu-neun bang-beop-eul seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain how to make it? -
Expression: 얼마나 오래 걸려요?
Pronunciation: eol-ma-na o-rae geol-lyeo-yo?
Meaning: How long does it take? -
Expression: 특별한 비법이 있어요?
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-han bi-beop-i is-seo-yo?
Meaning: Is there a special secret method? -
Expression: 집에서 만들기 쉬워요?
Pronunciation: jip-e-seo man-deul-gi swi-wo-yo?
Meaning: Is it easy to make at home? -
Expression: 재료는 어디서 살 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: jae-ryo-neun eo-di-seo sal su is-seo-yo?
Meaning: Where can I buy the ingredients? -
Expression: 여기서 재료를 다 팔아요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo jae-ryo-reul da pal-a-yo?
Meaning: Do you sell all the ingredients here? -
Expression: 주의할 점이 있나요?
Pronunciation: ju-ui-hal jeom-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any points to be careful about?
Interacting with the Vendor
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Expression: 안녕하세요, 사장님.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, sa-jang-nim.
Meaning: Hello, owner/vendor. (Polite address) -
Expression: 이거 한 잔 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geo han jan ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me one glass of this. -
Expression: 정말 맛있네요!
Pronunciation: jeong-mal mat-in-ne-yo!
Meaning: It’s really delicious! -
Expression: 혹시 레시피를 여쭤봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si re-si-pi-reul yeo-jjwo-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I possibly ask about the recipe? (Very polite) -
Expression: 너무 궁금해서요.
Pronunciation: neo-mu gung-geum-hae-seo-yo.
Meaning: I’m just so curious. -
Expression: 알려주시면 정말 감사하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: al-lyeo-ju-si-myeon jeong-mal gam-sa-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would be really grateful if you could tell me. -
Expression: 바쁘신데 죄송합니다.
Pronunciation: ba-ppeu-sin-de joe-song-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Sorry to bother you when you’re busy. -
Expression: 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: Thank you! -
Expression: 다음에 또 올게요.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e tto ol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll come again next time. -
Expression: 안녕히 계세요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo.
Meaning: Goodbye (to someone staying).
Korean Culture Notes
Traditional Korean drinks often have long histories and are associated with specific seasons or health benefits. For example, 수정과 (su-jeong-gwa – cinnamon punch) is often enjoyed during winter holidays, while 식혜 (sik-hye – sweet rice punch) is popular year-round, especially after meals.
Market vendors, particularly older ones, often take great pride in their homemade products. Approaching them politely and showing genuine interest in their craft can sometimes lead to them generously sharing their knowledge, though recipes might be considered family secrets.
It’s considered polite to buy something from the vendor before asking for favors like a recipe. Complimenting the taste of the drink first is also a good way to start the conversation positively.
Don’t be surprised if a vendor gives you approximate measurements or describes steps based on experience rather than precise written instructions. Traditional home cooking often relies on intuition and ‘손맛’ (son-mat – taste of one’s hand).
Using polite language, like adding ~요 (~yo) endings and using phrases like 혹시 (hok-si – perhaps/by any chance) and ~주실 수 있나요? (~ju-sil su in-na-yo? – could you please…), shows respect and increases your chances of a friendly interaction.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist tries Sikhye (식혜 – sweet rice punch) at a traditional market stall and wants to ask the vendor for the recipe.
Characters:
- A: Tourist
- B: Vendor (사장님 – Sa-jang-nim)
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 식혜 한 잔 주세요.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. sik-hye han jan ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello. Please give me one glass of Sikhye. -
Expression: B: 네, 여기 있습니다. 맛있게 드세요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da. mat-it-ge deu-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, here you go. Enjoy it. -
Expression: A: (마신 후) 와, 정말 맛있네요! 직접 만드신 거예요?
Pronunciation: A: (ma-sin hu) wa, jeong-mal mat-in-ne-yo! jik-jeop man-deu-sin geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: A: (After drinking) Wow, it’s really delicious! Did you make this yourself? -
Expression: B: 그럼요. 제가 매일 직접 만들어요.
Pronunciation: B: geu-reom-yo. je-ga mae-il jik-jeop man-deul-eo-yo.
Meaning: B: Of course. I make it myself every day. -
Expression: A: 정말 대단하세요! 혹시… 실례가 안 된다면, 레시피 좀 여쭤봐도 될까요? 집에서 만들어 보고 싶어서요.
Pronunciation: A: jeong-mal dae-dan-ha-se-yo! hok-si… sil-lye-ga an doen-da-myeon, re-si-pi jom yeo-jjwo-bwa-do doel-kka-yo? jip-e-seo man-deul-eo bo-go sip-eo-seo-yo.
Meaning: A: That’s really amazing! Perhaps… if it’s not rude, may I ask for the recipe? I want to try making it at home. -
Expression: B: 허허, 우리 집 비법인데… 간단해요. 엿기름 물에 밥 넣고 삭혀서 설탕 넣고 끓이면 돼요.
Pronunciation: B: heo-heo, u-ri jip bi-beop-in-de… gan-dan-hae-yo. yeot-gi-reum mul-e bap neo-ko sak-hyeo-seo seol-tang neo-ko kkeul-i-myeon dwae-yo.
Meaning: B: Haha, it’s our family secret but… it’s simple. Put cooked rice in malted barley water, let it ferment, then add sugar and boil it. -
Expression: A: 아, 엿기름이 중요하군요! 재료는 여기서 다 살 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: A: a, yeot-gi-reum-i jung-yo-ha-gun-yo! jae-ryo-neun yeo-gi-seo da sal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Ah, the malted barley is important! Can I buy all the ingredients here? -
Expression: B: 엿기름은 저쪽 가게에 팔아요. 밥이랑 설탕은 집에 있겠죠.
Pronunciation: B: yeot-gi-reum-eun jeo-jjok ga-ge-e pal-a-yo. bap-i-rang seol-tang-eun jip-e it-get-jyo.
Meaning: B: They sell malted barley at that store over there. You probably have rice and sugar at home. -
Expression: A: 그렇군요! 알려주셔서 정말 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: A: geu-reot-gun-yo! al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: I see! Thank you so much for telling me! -
Expression: B: 별말씀을요. 맛있게 만들어 드세요.
Pronunciation: B: byeol-mal-sseum-eul-yo. mat-it-ge man-deul-eo deu-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Don’t mention it. Make it delicious and enjoy.
Practice Tips
Practice these phrases before heading to a Korean market! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner~ You can start by asking about common drinks like 식혜 (sik-hye) or 수정과 (su-jeong-gwa).
Listen carefully to the vendor’s pronunciation and try to mimic it. Don’t be afraid to ask them to repeat (다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-get-seo-yo? – Could you please say that again?).
Remember to be polite and show genuine appreciation! A smile and a sincere 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da) go a long way. Good luck bringing a taste of Korea home with you! Fighting!~
