Discussing local spots like a new coffee shop is a common way to connect in Korea. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for a friendly chat between a barista and a customer about a newly opened cafe nearby, covering ordering, making small talk, and sharing opinions.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 근처에 새로 생긴 카페
Pronunciation: geun-cheo-e sae-ro saeng-gin ka-pe
Meaning: A new coffee shop that opened nearby
Basic Phrases for Ordering
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Expression: 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요.
Pronunciation: a-me-ri-ka-no han jan ju-se-yo
Meaning: One Americano, please. -
Expression: 따뜻한 걸로 주세요.
Pronunciation: tta-tteu-tan geol-lo ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please make it hot. -
Expression: 아이스로 주세요.
Pronunciation: a-i-seu-ro ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please make it iced. -
Expression: 여기서 마실 거예요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo ma-sil geo-ye-yo
Meaning: I’ll drink it here. -
Expression: 가지고 갈 거예요.
Pronunciation: ga-ji-go gal geo-ye-yo
Meaning: I’ll take it to go. (Takeaway) -
Expression: 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it? -
Expression: 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo
Meaning: Receipt, please. -
Expression: 진동벨 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: jin-dong-bel ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could I have a buzzer? -
Expression: 추천 메뉴 있어요?
Pronunciation: chu-cheon me-nyu i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have any recommended items? -
Expression: 이거 맛있어요?
Pronunciation: i-geo ma-si-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Is this delicious? -
Expression: 디카페인으로 가능해요?
Pronunciation: di-ka-pe-i-neu-ro ga-neung-hae-yo?
Meaning: Is decaf possible?
Barista’s Phrases
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Expression: 어서 오세요.
Pronunciation: eo-seo o-se-yo
Meaning: Welcome. -
Expression: 주문하시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ju-mun-ha-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Would you like to order? -
Expression: 뭐 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: mwo deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: What can I get for you? -
Expression: 따뜻한 걸로 드릴까요, 차가운 걸로 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: tta-tteu-tan geol-lo deu-ril-kka-yo, cha-ga-un geol-lo deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would you like it hot or iced? -
Expression: 드시고 가세요, 가지고 가세요?
Pronunciation: deu-si-go ga-se-yo, ga-ji-go ga-se-yo?
Meaning: For here or to go? -
Expression: 총 [금액]원입니다.
Pronunciation: chong [geu-maek]-won-im-ni-da
Meaning: The total is [amount] won. -
Expression: 카드 여기 꽂아주세요.
Pronunciation: ka-deu yeo-gi kko-ja-ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please insert your card here. -
Expression: 영수증 필요하세요?
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung pi-ryo-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you need a receipt? -
Expression: 진동벨 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: jin-dong-bel deu-ril-ge-yo
Meaning: Here’s your buzzer. -
Expression: 주문하신 [메뉴] 나왔습니다.
Pronunciation: ju-mun-ha-sin [me-nyu] na-wa-sseum-ni-da
Meaning: Your [menu item] is ready. -
Expression: 맛있게 드세요.
Pronunciation: ma-sit-ge deu-se-yo
Meaning: Enjoy your drink/food. -
Expression: 다음에 또 오세요.
Pronunciation: da-eu-me tto o-se-yo
Meaning: Please come again.
Talking About the New Cafe
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Expression: 이 근처에 새로 생긴 카페 가보셨어요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e sae-ro saeng-gin ka-pe ga-bo-syeo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Have you been to the new cafe that opened nearby? -
Expression: 네, 어제 가봤어요.
Pronunciation: ne, eo-je ga-bwa-sseo-yo
Meaning: Yes, I went yesterday. -
Expression: 아니요, 아직 못 가봤어요.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, a-jik mot ga-bwa-sseo-yo
Meaning: No, I haven’t been able to go yet. -
Expression: 거기 커피 어때요?
Pronunciation: geo-gi keo-pi eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: How’s the coffee there? -
Expression: 분위기가 좋다고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: bun-wi-gi-ga jo-ta-go deu-reo-sseo-yo
Meaning: I heard the atmosphere is nice. -
Expression: 인테리어가 예쁘더라고요.
Pronunciation: in-te-ri-eo-ga ye-ppeu-deo-ra-go-yo
Meaning: The interior was pretty. (I noticed/found out) -
Expression: 커피 맛은 그냥 그랬어요.
Pronunciation: keo-pi ma-seun geu-nyang geu-rae-sseo-yo
Meaning: The coffee taste was just okay / so-so. -
Expression: 가격은 좀 비싼 편이에요.
Pronunciation: ga-gyeo-geun jom bi-ssan pyeo-ni-e-yo
Meaning: The prices are a bit on the expensive side. -
Expression: 사람이 너무 많아서 기다렸어요.
Pronunciation: sa-ra-mi neo-mu ma-na-seo gi-da-ryeo-sseo-yo
Meaning: There were too many people, so I had to wait. -
Expression: 저도 한번 가봐야겠네요.
Pronunciation: jeo-do han-beon ga-bwa-ya-gen-ne-yo
Meaning: I should go check it out sometime too. -
Expression: 혹시 이름 아세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si i-reum a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to know the name? -
Expression: 위치가 어디쯤이에요?
Pronunciation: wi-chi-ga eo-di-jjeu-mi-e-yo?
Meaning: Where is it located? (Approximately where?)
Korean Culture Notes
Cafe culture is extremely popular in South Korea. Cafes serve as versatile spaces for studying, working, socializing with friends, or simply relaxing alone. You’ll find countless independent cafes alongside major chains.
When interacting with baristas or staff, using polite formal language (ending sentences with –요 [-yo] or –ㅂ니다/습니다 [-mnida/-seumnida]) is standard practice. Casual language (banmal) is typically reserved for close friends or those younger than you.
Engaging in light small talk, especially in smaller neighborhood cafes, is quite common. Asking about local recommendations, like a new cafe, is a natural and friendly way to start a conversation.
Tipping is not part of the culture in Korea. The price listed on the menu is the final price you pay.
Koreans often place significant importance on the cafe’s atmosphere or ‘vibe’ (분위기 – bun-wi-gi). The interior design, music, and overall ambiance are key factors when choosing where to spend time.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A regular customer (B) is ordering coffee, and the barista (A) starts a conversation about a new cafe that recently opened across the street.
Roles: A = Barista, B = Customer
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Expression: A: 어서 오세요! 오늘은 뭐 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: eo-seo o-se-yo! o-neu-reun mwo deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Welcome! What can I get for you today? -
Expression: B: 안녕하세요. 아이스 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. a-i-seu a-me-ri-ka-no han jan ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Hello. One iced Americano, please. -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 혹시 저기 길 건너에 새로 생긴 카페 가보셨어요?
Pronunciation: ne, al-ge-sseum-ni-da. hok-si jeo-gi gil geon-neo-e sae-ro saeng-gin ka-pe ga-bo-syeo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Yes, got it. By any chance, have you been to the new cafe that opened across the street? -
Expression: B: 아, 거기요? 아직 못 가봤는데, 어때요?
Pronunciation: a, geo-gi-yo? a-jik mot ga-bwan-neun-de, eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: Oh, that place? I haven’t been yet, how is it? -
Expression: A: 인테리어가 정말 예쁘다고 하더라고요. 커피 맛은 호불호가 좀 갈린대요.
Pronunciation: in-te-ri-eo-ga jeong-mal ye-ppeu-da-go ha-deo-ra-go-yo. keo-pi ma-seun ho-bu-ro-ga jom gal-lin-dae-yo.
Meaning: I heard the interior is really pretty. They say opinions on the coffee taste are a bit divided (love it or hate it). -
Expression: B: 그래요? 분위기 좋은 곳 좋아하는데, 한번 가봐야겠네요.
Pronunciation: geu-rae-yo? bun-wi-gi jo-eun got jo-a-ha-neun-de, han-beon ga-bwa-ya-gen-ne-yo.
Meaning: Really? I like places with a nice atmosphere, I should go check it out sometime. -
Expression: A: 네, 한번 가보세요! 주문하신 아이스 아메리카노 나왔습니다. 5,000원입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, han-beon ga-bo-se-yo! ju-mun-ha-sin a-i-seu a-me-ri-ka-no na-wa-sseum-ni-da. o-cheon-won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, give it a try! Your iced Americano is ready. It’s 5,000 won. -
Expression: B: 감사합니다. 여기 카드요.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. yeo-gi ka-deu-yo.
Meaning: Thank you. Here’s my card.
Practice Tips
Now you have the phrases for a typical coffee shop chat about a new local spot! Try practicing ordering different items and asking about them~ You can use the conversation example as a script and practice with a friend or language partner. Listen carefully to how baristas and customers interact next time you’re in a cafe (in Korea or even a Korean cafe abroad!). Don’t be afraid to ask simple questions like “여기 뭐가 맛있어요?” (yeo-gi mwo-ga ma-si-sseo-yo? – What’s delicious here?) or initiate small talk about nearby places. Keep practicing, and soon these conversations will feel natural! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
