Effectively managing customer dietary requests is crucial in the service industry. This guide provides Korean phrases and cultural context for restaurant staff handling requests to remove tomatoes from a dish, ensuring clear communication and excellent customer service.
Table Of Content
Core Expression: No Tomatoes
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Expression: 토마토 빼주세요.
Pronunciation: to-ma-to bbae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please remove the tomatoes. / Please leave out the tomatoes.
Initial Acknowledgement Phrases
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Expression: 네, 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. -
Expression: 토마토 빼달라고요?
Pronunciation: to-ma-to bbae-dal-la-go-yo?
Meaning: You’re asking to remove the tomatoes? (Confirming) -
Expression: 잠시만요, 확인해 보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man-yo, hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Just a moment, I will check. -
Expression: 어떤 메뉴에서 토마토를 빼드릴까요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon me-nyu-e-seo to-ma-to-reul bbae-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: From which dish should we remove the tomatoes? -
Expression: 네, 주문 확인하겠습니다. 토마토 제외 맞으시죠?
Pronunciation: ne, ju-mun hwa-gin-ha-get-seum-ni-da. to-ma-to je-oe ma-jeu-si-jyo?
Meaning: Yes, I’ll confirm your order. Excluding tomatoes, correct? -
Expression: 혹시 토마토 알레르기가 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si to-ma-to al-le-reu-gi-ga it-seu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to have a tomato allergy? (Optional, for clarification) -
Expression: 네, 요청 사항 메모하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, yo-cheong sa-hang me-mo-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I will note down your request. -
Expression: 주방에 전달하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ju-bang-e jeon-dal-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will relay this to the kitchen. -
Expression: 가능한지 여쭤보고 오겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ga-neung-han-ji yeo-jjwo-bo-go o-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will go ask if it’s possible. -
Expression: 잠시만 기다려 주십시오.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-sip-si-o.
Meaning: Please wait just a moment.
Checking with the Kitchen
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Expression: 주방에 확인해 볼게요.
Pronunciation: ju-bang-e hwa-gin-hae bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll check with the kitchen. -
Expression: 이 메뉴에서 토마토 빼는 것이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: i me-nyu-e-seo to-ma-to bbae-neun geo-si ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to remove tomatoes from this dish? -
Expression: 셰프님께 여쭤보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: swe-peu-nim-kke yeo-jjwo-bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will ask the chef. -
Expression: 소스에 토마토가 이미 들어가 있나요?
Pronunciation: so-seu-e to-ma-to-ga i-mi deu-reo-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are tomatoes already included in the sauce? -
Expression: 토마토 없이 조리 가능한지 확인 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: to-ma-to eop-si jo-ri ga-neung-han-ji hwa-gin bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: Please check if it’s possible to cook without tomatoes. -
Expression: 손님께서 토마토를 빼달라고 하십니다.
Pronunciation: son-nim-kke-seo to-ma-to-reul bbae-dal-la-go ha-sim-ni-da.
Meaning: The customer is asking to remove the tomatoes. -
Expression: 혹시 대체할 만한 재료가 있을까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si dae-che-hal man-han jae-ryo-ga it-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is there perhaps a substitute ingredient? (If removal isn’t possible) -
Expression: 조리 전에 확인해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: jo-ri jeon-e hwa-gin-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I need to check before cooking. -
Expression: 토마토가 주재료인가요?
Pronunciation: to-ma-to-ga ju-jae-ryo-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are tomatoes a main ingredient? -
Expression: 확인 후 바로 알려드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: hwa-gin hu ba-ro al-lyeo-deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will let you know right after checking.
Confirming or Explaining
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Expression: 네, 토마토 빼고 준비해 드릴 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, to-ma-to bbae-go jun-bi-hae deu-ril su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, we can prepare it without tomatoes for you. -
Expression: 확인해 보니 가능하다고 합니다.
Pronunciation: hwa-gin-hae bo-ni ga-neung-ha-da-go ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I checked, and they say it’s possible. -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 이 메뉴는 토마토를 빼기가 어렵습니다.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, i me-nyu-neun to-ma-to-reul bbae-gi-ga eo-ryeop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m sorry, but it’s difficult to remove tomatoes from this dish. -
Expression: 소스에 이미 토마토가 들어가 있어서 제거가 불가능합니다.
Pronunciation: so-seu-e i-mi to-ma-to-ga deu-reo-ga it-seo-seo je-geo-ga bul-ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Tomatoes are already in the sauce, so removal is not possible. -
Expression: 미리 만들어 놓은 소스라서 어렵습니다.
Pronunciation: mi-ri man-deu-reo no-eun so-seu-ra-seo eo-ryeop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s difficult because the sauce is pre-made. -
Expression: 토마토가 주재료라서 빼면 맛이 많이 달라질 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: to-ma-to-ga ju-jae-ryo-ra-seo bbae-myeon ma-si ma-ni dal-la-jil su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Since tomatoes are a main ingredient, removing them might significantly change the taste. -
Expression: 괜찮으시다면 다른 메뉴를 추천해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: gwaen-cha-neu-si-da-myeon da-reun me-nyu-reul chu-cheon-hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: If it’s okay with you, shall I recommend another dish? -
Expression: 토마토 없이 주문 넣어드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: to-ma-to eop-si ju-mun neo-eo-deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will place the order without tomatoes. -
Expression: 요청하신 대로 준비하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: yo-cheong-ha-sin dae-ro jun-bi-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We will prepare it as you requested. -
Expression: 혹시 다른 요청 사항은 없으신가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si da-reun yo-cheong sa-hang-eun eop-seu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to have any other requests?
Cultural Tips for Service Staff
Clarity is Key: Always repeat the request back to the customer (e.g., “토마토 빼는 것 맞으시죠?” / to-ma-to bbae-neun geot ma-jeu-si-jyo? / “Removing tomatoes, correct?”) to ensure understanding and avoid mistakes.
Honesty about Limitations: If removing an ingredient is genuinely not possible (e.g., pre-made sauces, integral part of the dish), explain politely and clearly using phrases like “죄송하지만 어렵습니다” (joe-song-ha-ji-man eo-ryeop-seum-ni-da / I’m sorry, but it’s difficult). Offering alternatives shows good service.
Kitchen Communication: Ensure the request is clearly communicated to the kitchen staff. Written notes on the order ticket are often essential to prevent errors, especially during busy times.
Managing Expectations: Sometimes removing an ingredient can alter the intended flavor profile. While accommodating requests is important, gently mentioning this possibility (“맛이 조금 달라질 수 있습니다” / ma-si jo-geum dal-la-jil su it-seum-ni-da / “The taste might change a little”) can be helpful if the ingredient is significant.
Allergy Awareness: While the customer requested removal, not necessarily due to allergy, being mindful of potential cross-contamination is good practice, especially if the kitchen handles allergens.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer orders pasta at a restaurant and asks for it without tomatoes.
Roles: A = Customer (손님 / Son-nim), B = Waiter (점원 / Jeom-won)
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Expression: A: 저기요, 해물 파스타 하나 주세요. 그런데 혹시 토마토 빼고 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, hae-mul pa-seu-ta ha-na ju-se-yo. geu-reon-de hok-si to-ma-to bbae-go ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Excuse me, one seafood pasta, please. But, is it possible to have it without tomatoes? -
Expression: B: 네, 손님. 해물 파스타에서 토마토 제외 말씀이시죠? 잠시 주방에 확인해 보고 말씀드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, son-nim. hae-mul pa-seu-ta-e-seo to-ma-to je-oe mal-sseum-i-si-jyo? jam-si ju-bang-e hwa-gin-hae bo-go mal-sseum-deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, customer. You mean excluding tomatoes from the seafood pasta, correct? I’ll check with the kitchen for a moment and let you know. -
Expression: A: 네, 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: ne, bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Yes, please do. -
Expression: B: (잠시 후 / jam-si hu / After a moment) 손님, 확인해 보니 토마토 빼고 조리 가능하다고 합니다. 그렇게 주문해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: son-nim, hwa-gin-hae bo-ni to-ma-to bbae-go jo-ri ga-neung-ha-da-go ham-ni-da. geu-reo-ke ju-mun-hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Customer, I checked, and they said it’s possible to cook it without tomatoes. Shall I place the order that way? -
Expression: A: 네, 좋아요. 그렇게 해주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo. geu-reo-ke hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, great. Please do it that way. -
Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 해물 파스타 하나, 토마토 빼고 준비해 드리겠습니다. 다른 필요하신 건 없으신가요?
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. hae-mul pa-seu-ta ha-na, to-ma-to bbae-go jun-bi-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da. da-reun pi-ryo-ha-sin geon eop-seu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Understood. One seafood pasta, prepared without tomatoes. Is there anything else you need? -
Expression: A: 아니요, 괜찮습니다.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, gwaen-chan-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: No, that’s fine.
Practice Tips
Handling specific requests like “no tomatoes” is common in restaurants! Practice these phrases by role-playing with a colleague or friend~ Imagine different scenarios: sometimes it’s possible, sometimes it’s not. Focus on clearly understanding the request, confirming with the kitchen, and communicating back to the customer politely and accurately. Listening carefully and repeating the request back is super important! Good luck! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
