Communicating dietary preferences, like avoiding cilantro, is crucial in restaurants. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for waiters handling customers who request meals without cilantro (고수 – go-su), ensuring clear communication and customer satisfaction.
Table Of Content
Core Request Phrase
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Expression: 고수 빼주세요.
Pronunciation: go-su ppae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please remove the cilantro. / Please leave out the cilantro.
Waiter’s Initial Questions
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Expression: 주문하시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ju-mun-ha-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Are you ready to order? / Would you like to order? -
Expression: 뭐 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: mwo deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: What can I get for you? -
Expression: 이 음식에는 고수가 들어갑니다. 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: i eum-si-ge-neun go-su-ga deu-reo-gam-ni-da. gwaen-cha-neu-se-yo?
Meaning: This dish contains cilantro. Is that okay? -
Expression: 혹시 못 드시는 음식 있으세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si mot deu-si-neun eum-sik i-sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: Are there any foods you cannot eat? -
Expression: 알레르기 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: al-le-reu-gi i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you have any allergies? -
Expression: 특별히 요청하실 사항 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-hi yo-cheong-ha-sil sa-hang i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you have any special requests? -
Expression: 어떤 음식을 찾으세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon eum-si-geul cha-jeu-se-yo?
Meaning: What kind of food are you looking for? -
Expression: 메뉴 설명 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: me-nyu seol-myeong deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I explain the menu? -
Expression: 이 요리는 고수가 들어가는 편입니다.
Pronunciation: i yo-ri-neun go-su-ga deu-reo-ga-neun pyeo-nim-ni-da.
Meaning: This dish tends to include cilantro. -
Expression: 고수 좋아하세요?
Pronunciation: go-su jo-a-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you like cilantro?
Customer’s Request Phrases
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Expression: 저는 고수를 못 먹어요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun go-su-reul mot meo-geo-yo.
Meaning: I can’t eat cilantro. -
Expression: 고수 빼고 만들어 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: go-su ppae-go man-deu-reo ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you make it without cilantro? -
Expression: 이 음식에 고수 들어가나요?
Pronunciation: i eum-si-ge go-su deu-reo-ga-na-yo?
Meaning: Does this dish contain cilantro? -
Expression: 고수 알레르기가 있어요.
Pronunciation: go-su al-le-reu-gi-ga i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I have a cilantro allergy. -
Expression: 고수 넣지 말아 주세요.
Pronunciation: go-su neo-chi ma-ra ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please don’t put cilantro in. -
Expression: 혹시 고수 대신 다른 것을 넣어주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si go-su dae-sin da-reun geo-seul neo-eo-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you possibly add something else instead of cilantro? -
Expression: 고수 향을 싫어해요.
Pronunciation: go-su hyang-eul si-reo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I dislike the smell/flavor of cilantro. -
Expression: 고수가 없는 메뉴는 어떤 게 있나요?
Pronunciation: go-su-ga eom-neun me-nyu-neun eo-tteon ge in-na-yo?
Meaning: Which menu items do not have cilantro? -
Expression: 주문한 음식에 고수가 안 들어갔는지 확인해 주세요.
Pronunciation: ju-mun-han eum-si-ge go-su-ga an deu-reo-gan-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check if the dish I ordered contains cilantro. -
Expression: 고수는 따로 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: go-su-neun tta-ro ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you give me the cilantro separately (on the side)?
Waiter’s Confirmation and Response
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Expression: 네, 알겠습니다. 고수 빼고 준비해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-ge-sseum-ni-da. go-su ppae-go jun-bi-hae deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. We will prepare it without cilantro. -
Expression: 확인했습니다. 고수 없이 조리하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: hwa-gin-hae-sseum-ni-da. go-su eop-si jo-ri-ha-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Confirmed. We will cook it without cilantro. -
Expression: 주방에 고수 빼달라고 전달하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ju-bang-e go-su ppae-dal-la-go jeon-dal-ha-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will inform the kitchen to remove the cilantro. -
Expression: 네, 고수 빼는 것 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: ne, go-su ppae-neun geot ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, removing cilantro is possible. -
Expression: 그럼 이 메뉴는 고수 없이 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: geu-reom i me-nyu-neun go-su eop-si deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Then, we will serve this dish without cilantro. -
Expression: 잠시만요, 주방에 확인해보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man-yo, ju-bang-e hwa-gin-hae-bo-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Just a moment, I will check with the kitchen. -
Expression: 고수 빼달라고 요청하셨죠? 확인했습니다.
Pronunciation: go-su ppae-dal-la-go yo-cheong-ha-syeot-jyo? hwa-gin-hae-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: You requested no cilantro, correct? I’ve confirmed it. -
Expression: 네, 손님. 특별히 신경 써서 준비하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, son-nim. teuk-byeol-hi sin-gyeong sseo-seo jun-bi-ha-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, customer. We will take special care in preparing it. -
Expression: 고수 대신 파를 좀 더 넣어드릴까요?
Pronunciation: go-su dae-sin pa-reul jom deo neo-eo-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall we add a bit more green onion instead of cilantro? -
Expression: 다른 필요한 건 없으신가요?
Pronunciation: da-reun pil-yo-han geon eop-seu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything else you need?
Handling Potential Issues
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Expression: 죄송합니다만, 이 요리는 고수를 빼기가 어렵습니다.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ham-ni-da-man, i yo-ri-neun go-su-reul ppae-gi-ga eo-ryeop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I apologize, but it is difficult to remove cilantro from this dish. -
Expression: 소스에 이미 고수가 들어가 있어서 완전히 빼기는 힘듭니다.
Pronunciation: so-seu-e i-mi go-su-ga deu-reo-ga i-sseo-seo wan-jeon-hi ppae-gi-neun him-deum-ni-da.
Meaning: The cilantro is already in the sauce, so it’s hard to remove it completely. -
Expression: 고수 없는 다른 메뉴를 추천해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: go-su eom-neun da-reun me-nyu-reul chu-cheon-hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I recommend another menu item without cilantro? -
Expression: 미리 만들어 놓은 음식이라 고수를 뺄 수 없습니다.
Pronunciation: mi-ri man-deu-reo no-eun eum-si-gi-ra go-su-reul ppael su eop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: This food is pre-made, so we cannot remove the cilantro. -
Expression: 정말 죄송합니다. 다시 만들어 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal joe-song-ham-ni-da. da-si man-deu-reo deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I am truly sorry. We will remake it for you. (Used if cilantro was included by mistake) -
Expression: 양념에 고수가 포함되어 있습니다. 괜찮으시겠어요?
Pronunciation: yang-nyeom-e go-su-ga po-ham-doe-eo i-sseum-ni-da. gwaen-cha-neu-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: The seasoning includes cilantro. Will that be alright? -
Expression: 이 메뉴는 고수가 핵심 재료라 빼면 맛이 달라질 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: i me-nyu-neun go-su-ga haek-sim jae-ryo-ra ppae-myeon ma-si dal-la-jil su i-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Cilantro is a key ingredient in this dish, so removing it might change the taste. -
Expression: 혹시 위에 올라간 고수만 걷어내 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si wi-e ol-la-gan go-su-man geo-deo-nae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I just remove the cilantro that’s placed on top? -
Expression: 다른 메뉴로 변경하시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-reun me-nyu-ro byeon-gyeong-ha-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Would you like to change to a different menu item?
Korean Culture Notes
Cilantro (고수 – go-su) is not a traditional staple in classic Korean cuisine but has become increasingly common, especially in fusion dishes, Vietnamese restaurants (쌀국수 – ssal-guk-su, pho), and some regional specialties. Many Koreans, like people worldwide, have a strong aversion to its taste.
Korean service culture emphasizes accommodating customer requests (손님은 왕이다 – son-ni-meun wang-i-da, “The customer is king”). Waitstaff will usually try their best to fulfill requests like removing an ingredient, but it’s not always possible if it’s pre-mixed into sauces or marinades.
When making a request, using polite language (주세요 – ju-se-yo, please give/do) is appreciated. Clearly stating the preference early, ideally when ordering, helps the kitchen prepare the dish correctly.
If a mistake happens and cilantro is included despite the request, politely pointing it out (저기요, 제가 고수 빼달라고 말씀드렸는데요… – jeo-gi-yo, je-ga go-su ppae-dal-la-go mal-sseum-deu-ryeon-neun-de-yo…, “Excuse me, I mentioned I wanted the cilantro removed…”) is acceptable. Most restaurants will apologize and offer to remake the dish.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer is ordering pho (쌀국수 – ssal-guk-su) at a Vietnamese restaurant in Korea and wants it without cilantro.
Roles: A = Waiter (종업원 – jong-eo-bwon), B = Customer (손님 – son-nim)
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Expression: A: 주문하시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ju-mun-ha-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Are you ready to order? -
Expression: B: 네, 소고기 쌀국수 하나 주세요. 그런데 저는 고수를 못 먹어서요, 혹시 빼주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ne, so-go-gi ssal-guk-su ha-na ju-se-yo. geu-reon-de jeo-neun go-su-reul mot meo-geo-seo-yo, hok-si ppae-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Yes, one beef pho, please. However, I can’t eat cilantro, could you possibly leave it out? -
Expression: A: 아, 네. 그럼요. 소고기 쌀국수 하나, 고수 빼고 준비해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: a, ne. geu-reom-yo. so-go-gi ssal-guk-su ha-na, go-su ppae-go jun-bi-hae deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Ah, yes. Of course. One beef pho, we will prepare it without cilantro. -
Expression: B: 감사합니다. 혹시 숙주나물은 많이 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. hok-si suk-ju-na-mu-reun ma-ni ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Thank you. Also, could I possibly get extra bean sprouts? -
Expression: A: 네, 숙주 많이 넣어달라고 주방에 전달하겠습니다. 다른 필요하신 건 없으세요?
Pronunciation: ne, suk-ju ma-ni neo-eo-dal-la-go ju-bang-e jeon-dal-ha-ge-sseum-ni-da. da-reun pil-yo-ha-sin geon eop-seu-se-yo?
Meaning: Yes, I will relay the request for extra bean sprouts to the kitchen. Is there anything else you need? -
Expression: B: 아니요, 괜찮습니다.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, gwaen-chan-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: No, that’s all.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect~! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner. One person can be the customer, and the other can be the waiter. Focus on using the key phrases like 고수 빼주세요 (go-su ppae-ju-se-yo) and the waiter’s confirmations!
Listen carefully to how native speakers pronounce these phrases in dramas or movies featuring restaurant scenes. Pay attention to the intonation! You can also practice asking about other ingredients you might want to avoid. Good luck! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
