Knowing how to ask for recommendations at a Korean restaurant can significantly enhance your dining experience, allowing you to discover popular or specialty dishes you might otherwise miss. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural insights for confidently asking for and understanding menu suggestions.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the most direct and common way to ask for a recommendation.
- Expression: 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend something.
Getting Started at the Restaurant
Before asking for recommendations, you might need these basic phrases.
- Expression: 저기요!
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo!
Meaning: Excuse me! (To get staff attention) - Expression: 메뉴판 좀 주세요.
Pronunciation: me-nyu-pan jom ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the menu. - Expression: 주문할게요.
Pronunciation: ju-mun-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to order. - Expression: 물 좀 주세요.
Pronunciation: mul jom ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me some water. - Expression: 앞접시 좀 주세요.
Pronunciation: ap-jeop-si jom ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a small plate. - Expression: 뭐가 맛있어요?
Pronunciation: mwo-ga ma-si-sseo-yo?
Meaning: What’s delicious here? - Expression: 이 집에서 뭐가 제일 잘 나가요?
Pronunciation: i jip-e-seo mwo-ga je-il jal na-ga-yo?
Meaning: What sells the best at this place? / What’s the most popular dish here? - Expression: 여기 뭐가 유명해요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi mwo-ga yu-myeong-hae-yo?
Meaning: What is famous here? - Expression: 처음 와봤어요.
Pronunciation: cheo-eum wa-bwa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It’s my first time here. - Expression: 어떤 종류의 음식이 있어요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui eum-sik-i i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: What kind of food do you have? - Expression: 혹시 영어 메뉴판 있어요?
Pronunciation: hok-si yeong-eo me-nyu-pan i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to have an English menu?
Asking for Specific Recommendations
Use these phrases to ask for recommendations based on your preferences.
- Expression: 매운 거 좋아해요. 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: mae-un geo jo-a-hae-yo. chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: I like spicy food. Please recommend something. - Expression: 안 매운 거 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: an mae-un geo chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend something not spicy. - Expression: 고기 요리 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: go-gi yo-ri chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend a meat dish. - Expression: 해산물 요리 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: hae-san-mul yo-ri chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend a seafood dish. - Expression: 채식 메뉴 있어요?
Pronunciation: chae-sik me-nyu i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have vegetarian options? - Expression: 가장 인기 있는 메뉴가 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang in-gi it-neun me-nyu-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the most popular menu item? - Expression: 이 식당의 특별 메뉴가 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i sik-dang-ui teuk-byeol me-nyu-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is this restaurant’s specialty? - Expression: 아이들이 먹을 만한 거 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: a-i-deul-i meo-geul man-han geo chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend something suitable for children. - Expression: 술안주로 좋은 거 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: sul-an-ju-ro jo-eun geo chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend something good to eat with drinks (anju). - Expression: 가벼운 식사로 뭐가 좋을까요?
Pronunciation: ga-byeo-un sik-sa-ro mwo-ga jo-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: What would be good for a light meal? - Expression: 혹시 국물 요리 추천해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si guk-mul yo-ri chu-cheon-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you perhaps recommend a soup dish? - Expression: 오늘 추천 메뉴 있어요?
Pronunciation: o-neul chu-cheon me-nyu i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Is there a recommended menu for today?
Understanding the Recommendation
Once the staff suggests something, you might want to ask more about it.
- Expression: 그게 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: geu-ge mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is that? - Expression: 어떤 맛이에요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon ma-si-e-yo?
Meaning: What does it taste like? - Expression: 많이 매워요?
Pronunciation: ma-ni mae-wo-yo?
Meaning: Is it very spicy? - Expression: 재료가 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: jae-ryo-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What are the ingredients? - Expression: 사진 있어요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Is there a picture? - Expression: 양이 많아요?
Pronunciation: yang-i ma-na-yo?
Meaning: Is the portion size large? - Expression: 2명이 먹기에 적당해요?
Pronunciation: du-myeong-i meok-gi-e jeok-dang-hae-yo?
Meaning: Is it suitable for two people? - Expression: 다른 추천 메뉴는 없어요?
Pronunciation: da-reun chu-cheon me-nyu-neun eop-seo-yo?
Meaning: Are there any other recommendations? - Expression: 설명 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: seol-myeong gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for the explanation. - Expression: 조금만 덜 맵게 해 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man deol maep-ge hae ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you make it a little less spicy? - Expression: 이건 어떻게 먹는 거예요?
Pronunciation: i-geon eo-tteo-ke meong-neun geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: How do you eat this?
Ordering the Recommended Dish
Phrases to use when you decide to try the recommendation.
- Expression: 좋아요, 그걸로 주세요.
Pronunciation: jo-a-yo, geu-geol-lo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Okay, I’ll have that one. - Expression: 추천해 주신 걸로 할게요.
Pronunciation: chu-cheon-hae ju-sin geol-lo hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll go with what you recommended. - Expression: 이거 하나 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geo ha-na ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me one of this. - Expression: 이거 두 개 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geo du gae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me two of this. - Expression: 밥도 하나 주세요.
Pronunciation: bap-do ha-na ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a bowl of rice too. - Expression: 이것도 같이 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geot-do ga-chi ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me this as well. - Expression: 네, 그걸로 결정했어요.
Pronunciation: ne, geu-geol-lo gyeol-jeong-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I’ve decided on that one. - Expression: 기대되네요!
Pronunciation: gi-dae-doe-ne-yo!
Meaning: I’m looking forward to it! - Expression: 맛있겠어요.
Pronunciation: ma-sit-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It looks delicious. / It sounds delicious. - Expression: 그럼 그걸로 2인분 주세요.
Pronunciation: geu-reom geu-geol-lo i-in-bun ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Then please give us a serving for two of that. - Expression: 다른 것도 좀 볼게요.
Pronunciation: da-reun geot-do jom bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll look at some other things too. (If you decide against the recommendation)
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these cultural points can make your dining experience smoother.
- Staff Interaction: Calling staff with “저기요!” (jeo-gi-yo!) is standard. In some restaurants, especially BBQ places, there might be a call button on the table. Using it is efficient and polite.
- Sharing Culture: Many Korean dishes, especially main courses like stews (찌개, jjigae) or grilled meats (고기구이, gogi-gui), are designed to be shared among the table. Portions are often sized accordingly (e.g., 2인분 – i-inbun, serving for 2).
- Banchan (반찬): Small side dishes (banchan) are typically served free of charge with main meals and are often refillable. Don’t hesitate to ask for more of your favorites using “이거 더 주세요” (i-geo deo ju-se-yo – Please give more of this).
- Trusting Recommendations: Restaurant staff often take pride in their popular dishes or specialties. Accepting their recommendation is usually a good way to try the best of what they offer.
- Spiciness Levels: Korean food can be quite spicy. If you’re sensitive to spice, explicitly asking for “안 매운 거” (an mae-un geo – non-spicy) or “덜 맵게” (deol maep-ge – less spicy) is important.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer is visiting a Korean restaurant known for its stews for the first time and wants a recommendation. Roles: A: Customer, B: Restaurant Staff
- Expression: A: 저기요! 메뉴 좀 추천해 주시겠어요? 처음 와봐서요.
Pronunciation: A: jeo-gi-yo! me-nyu jom chu-cheon-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo? cheo-eum wa-bwa-seo-yo.
Meaning: A: Excuse me! Could you recommend something from the menu? It’s my first time here. - Expression: B: 네, 손님. 저희는 김치찌개가 가장 인기 많아요. 돼지고기 김치찌개 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, son-nim. jeo-hui-neun gim-chi-jji-gae-ga ga-jang in-gi ma-na-yo. dwae-ji-go-gi gim-chi-jji-gae gwaen-cha-neu-se-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, customer. Our Kimchi Jjigae (kimchi stew) is the most popular. Are you okay with pork kimchi stew? - Expression: A: 아, 김치찌개요. 많이 매운가요?
Pronunciation: A: a, gim-chi-jji-gae-yo. ma-ni mae-un-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: Ah, Kimchi Jjigae. Is it very spicy? - Expression: B: 보통 맛은 약간 매콤한 편인데, 덜 맵게도 가능해요. 어떻게 해드릴까요?
Pronunciation: B: bo-tong ma-seun yak-gan mae-kom-han pyeon-in-de, deol maep-ge-do ga-neung-hae-yo. eo-tteo-ke hae-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: The regular version is a little spicy, but we can make it less spicy too. How would you like it? - Expression: A: 그럼 보통 맛으로 주세요. 2인분으로 부탁드려요. 밥도 두 공기 같이요.
Pronunciation: A: geu-reom bo-tong ma-seu-ro ju-se-yo. i-in-bu-neu-ro bu-tak-deu-ryeo-yo. bap-do du gong-gi ga-chi-yo.
Meaning: A: Then please give it to me with the regular spiciness. A serving for two, please. And two bowls of rice as well. - Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 돼지고기 김치찌개 2인분 보통 맛, 공기밥 두 개 준비해드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, al-ge-sseum-ni-da. dwae-ji-go-gi gim-chi-jji-gae i-in-bun bo-tong mat, gong-gi-bap du gae jun-bi-hae-deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, understood. I will prepare pork kimchi stew for two, regular spiciness, and two bowls of rice.
Practice Tips
Don’t be shy about using these phrases~! The best way to learn is by trying them out. Next time you’re at a Korean restaurant, challenge yourself to ask for a recommendation using “추천해 주세요!” (chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo!). You might discover your new favorite dish! Practice the pronunciation and try role-playing the conversation example with a friend. 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
