Understanding and accommodating dietary restrictions is crucial in the service industry. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for restaurant staff, particularly waiters, when dealing with customers who request vegan options, ensuring clear communication and good service even when options might be limited.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 비건
Pronunciation: bi-geon
Meaning: Vegan (This is the most direct loanword used for veganism.)
Initial Interaction and Identifying Needs
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Expression: 어서 오세요. 몇 분이세요?
Pronunciation: eo-seo o-se-yo. myeot bun-i-se-yo?
Meaning: Welcome. How many people in your party? -
Expression: 메뉴 여기 있습니다.
Pronunciation: me-nyu yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Here is the menu. -
Expression: 주문하시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ju-mun-ha-si-get-seo-yo?
Meaning: Are you ready to order? -
Expression: 혹시 못 드시는 음식이 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si mot deu-si-neun eum-sik-i it-seu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are there any foods you cannot eat? -
Expression: 알레르기 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: al-le-reu-gi it-seu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you have any allergies? -
Expression: 네, 손님. 어떤 종류의 채식을 하십니까?
Pronunciation: ne, son-nim. eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui chae-sik-eul ha-sim-ni-kka?
Meaning: Yes, customer. What type of vegetarian diet do you follow? -
Expression: 비건 메뉴를 찾으시는군요.
Pronunciation: bi-geon me-nyu-reul cha-jeu-si-neun-gun-yo.
Meaning: Ah, you are looking for vegan options. -
Expression: 고기, 유제품, 계란을 전혀 안 드시는 거죠?
Pronunciation: go-gi, yu-je-pum, gye-ran-eul jeon-hyeo an deu-si-neun geo-jyo?
Meaning: So you don’t eat any meat, dairy products, or eggs, correct? -
Expression: 생선이나 해산물도 안 드시나요?
Pronunciation: saeng-seon-i-na hae-san-mul-do an deu-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you also avoid fish or seafood? -
Expression: 네, 알겠습니다. 비건 옵션을 확인해 보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. bi-geon op-syeon-eul hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. I will check the vegan options.
Checking with the Kitchen and Confirming Ingredients
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Expression: 잠시만 기다려 주세요. 주방에 확인해 보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo. ju-bang-e hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Please wait a moment. I will check with the kitchen. -
Expression: 이 요리에 동물성 재료가 들어가나요?
Pronunciation: i yo-ri-e dong-mul-seong jae-ryo-ga deu-reo-ga-na-yo?
Meaning: Does this dish contain any animal products? (Asking the kitchen) -
Expression: 육수나 소스에 고기 성분이 있나요?
Pronunciation: yuk-su-na so-seu-e go-gi seong-bun-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there any meat component in the broth or sauce? (Asking the kitchen) -
Expression: 계란이나 우유, 버터가 사용되었나요?
Pronunciation: gye-ran-i-na u-yu, beo-teo-ga sa-yong-doe-eon-na-yo?
Meaning: Were eggs, milk, or butter used? (Asking the kitchen) -
Expression: 젓갈이나 꿀은 사용하지 않았죠?
Pronunciation: jeot-gal-i-na kkul-eun sa-yong-ha-ji a-nat-jyo?
Meaning: You didn’t use fermented seafood (jeotgal) or honey, right? (Asking the kitchen) -
Expression: 손님께서 비건이셔서 재료 확인이 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: son-nim-kke-seo bi-geon-i-syeo-seo jae-ryo hwa-gin-i pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: The customer is vegan, so we need to check the ingredients. (Explaining to kitchen staff) -
Expression: 이 메뉴를 비건식으로 변경 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: i me-nyu-reul bi-geon-sik-eu-ro byeon-gyeong ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Can this menu item be modified to be vegan? (Asking the kitchen) -
Expression: 어떤 재료를 빼면 비건으로 만들 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jae-ryo-reul ppae-myeon bi-geon-eu-ro man-deul su in-na-yo?
Meaning: What ingredients can be removed to make it vegan? (Asking the kitchen) -
Expression: 주방에 확인해 봤는데, 이 요리는 비건으로 제공 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: ju-bang-e hwa-gin-hae bwan-neun-de, i yo-ri-neun bi-geon-eu-ro je-gong ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I checked with the kitchen, and this dish can be served vegan. -
Expression: 이 요리에는 [재료]가 들어가는데 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: i yo-ri-e-neun [jae-ryo]-ga deu-reo-ga-neun-de gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: This dish contains [ingredient], is that okay for you? (Confirming with customer)
Suggesting Alternatives and Explaining Limitations
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Expression: 저희 메뉴 중에서는 [메뉴 이름]이 비건으로 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui me-nyu jung-e-seo-neun [me-nyu i-reum]-i bi-geon-eu-ro ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Among our menu items, [Menu Name] is available as a vegan option. -
Expression: 이 요리에서 고기/계란/유제품을 빼고 드릴 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: i yo-ri-e-seo go-gi/gye-ran/yu-je-pum-eul ppae-go deu-ril su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We can serve this dish without the meat/eggs/dairy products. -
Expression: 채소 위주의 메뉴로는 [메뉴 이름]이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: chae-so wi-ju-ui me-nyu-ro-neun [me-nyu i-reum]-i it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: As for vegetable-focused dishes, we have [Menu Name]. -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 이 요리는 비건으로 변경하기 어렵습니다.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, i yo-ri-neun bi-geon-eu-ro byeon-gyeong-ha-gi eo-ryeop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I apologize, but it is difficult to modify this dish to be vegan. -
Expression: 육수 자체에 동물성 성분이 포함되어 있습니다.
Pronunciation: yuk-su ja-che-e dong-mul-seong seong-bun-i po-ham-doe-eo it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The broth itself contains animal-based ingredients. -
Expression: 소스에 해산물(젓갈)이 들어가서 비건 옵션이 안 됩니다.
Pronunciation: so-seu-e hae-san-mul(jeot-gal)-i deu-reo-ga-seo bi-geon op-syeon-i an doem-ni-da.
Meaning: The sauce contains seafood (fermented seafood), so it’s not a vegan option. -
Expression: 저희 식당에는 완전 비건 메뉴가 준비되어 있지 않습니다. 죄송합니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui sik-dang-e-neun wan-jeon bi-geon me-nyu-ga jun-bi-doe-eo it-ji an-seum-ni-da. joe-song-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Our restaurant does not have fully prepared vegan menu items. I apologize. -
Expression: 혹시 간단한 채소 반찬이나 밥은 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si gan-dan-han chae-so ban-chan-i-na bap-eun gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Would simple vegetable side dishes or rice be acceptable perhaps? -
Expression: 다른 추천해 드릴 만한 메뉴가 있을까요?
Pronunciation: da-reun chu-cheon-hae deu-ril man-han me-nyu-ga it-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Are there any other menu items I could recommend? -
Expression: 주문하신 [메뉴 이름] 비건식으로 준비해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ju-mun-ha-sin [me-nyu i-reum] bi-geon-sik-eu-ro jun-bi-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We will prepare the [Menu Name] you ordered as a vegan dish.
Korean Culture Notes
Veganism is growing in Korea but is still not as widely understood or catered to as in some Western countries. The term 채식주의자 (chae-sik-ju-ui-ja – vegetarian) is more common, but often implies ovo-lacto vegetarianism (allowing eggs and dairy) or even pescetarianism (allowing fish).
Be aware of hidden animal products. Many traditional Korean dishes use beef or anchovy-based broth (육수 – yuk-su), fish sauce (액젓 – aek-jeot), or fermented shrimp/seafood (젓갈 – jeot-gal), even in seemingly vegetable-based dishes like kimchi or stews. Always double-check ingredients.
Clear communication is key. Use the term 비건 (bi-geon) specifically. Explicitly stating “no meat, no fish, no eggs, no dairy, no honey” (고기, 생선, 계란, 유제품, 꿀 없이 – go-gi, saeng-seon, gye-ran, yu-je-pum, kkul eop-si) helps avoid misunderstandings.
While many restaurants will try to accommodate, some smaller or very traditional places may genuinely have limited or no options due to pre-made sauces or broths. Politeness and patience from both sides are important in these situations.
Temple food (사찰 음식 – sa-chal eum-sik) is traditionally vegan (though some may use honey), excluding pungent vegetables like garlic and onion as well. Dedicated temple food restaurants are a reliable option for vegans.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A foreign customer enters a standard Korean restaurant (not specifically vegan) and asks for vegan options.
Roles: A = Waiter (종업원 – jong-eop-won), B = Customer (손님 – son-nim)
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Expression: A: 어서 오세요. 주문하시겠어요?
Pronunciation: A: eo-seo o-se-yo. ju-mun-ha-si-get-seo-yo?
Meaning: A: Welcome. Are you ready to order? -
Expression: B: 네. 혹시 비건 메뉴가 있나요? 저는 비건입니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne. hok-si bi-geon me-nyu-ga in-na-yo? jeo-neun bi-geon-im-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes. Do you happen to have any vegan options? I am vegan. -
Expression: A: 아, 비건이시군요. 고기, 생선, 계란, 유제품 다 안 드시는 거죠?
Pronunciation: A: a, bi-geon-i-si-gun-yo. go-gi, saeng-seon, gye-ran, yu-je-pum da an deu-si-neun geo-jyo?
Meaning: A: Ah, you’re vegan. So you don’t eat meat, fish, eggs, or dairy products, correct? -
Expression: B: 네, 맞아요. 꿀도 안 먹어요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, ma-ja-yo. kkul-do an meo-geo-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, that’s correct. I don’t eat honey either. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 잠시만요, 주방에 가능한 메뉴가 있는지 확인해 보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: A: al-get-seum-ni-da. jam-si-man-yo, ju-bang-e ga-neung-han me-nyu-ga it-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: I understand. Just a moment, I will check with the kitchen to see if there are any possible menu items. -
Expression: A: (잠시 후) 손님, 확인해 봤는데 저희 비빔밥은 고기와 계란을 빼고, 나물과 밥, 고추장만으로 드리면 비건식으로 가능합니다. 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: A: (jam-si hu) son-nim, hwa-gin-hae bwan-neun-de jeo-hui bi-bim-bap-eun go-gi-wa gye-ran-eul ppae-go, na-mul-gwa bap, go-chu-jang-man-eu-ro deu-ri-myeon bi-geon-sik-eu-ro ga-neung-ham-ni-da. gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: (After a moment) Customer, I’ve checked, and our Bibimbap can be made vegan if we remove the meat and egg, serving it with just vegetables, rice, and gochujang (red pepper paste). Would that be okay? -
Expression: B: 네, 좋아요! 그럼 비빔밥 비건식으로 하나 주세요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, jo-a-yo! geu-reom bi-bim-bap bi-geon-sik-eu-ro ha-na ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, that sounds good! Then please give me one Bibimbap, vegan style. -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 비빔밥 비건식으로 준비해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: A: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. bi-bim-bap bi-geon-sik-eu-ro jun-bi-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Yes, understood. We will prepare the Bibimbap vegan style for you.
Practice Tips
Handling specific dietary requests like veganism requires clear communication and sometimes a bit of negotiation! Practice the phrases for confirming restrictions (고기, 생선, 계란, 유제품 없이 – go-gi, saeng-seon, gye-ran, yu-je-pum eop-si) clearly~ Familiarize yourself with common non-vegan ingredients in Korean cuisine like 육수 (yuk-su) and 젓갈 (jeot-gal).
Role-playing scenarios with colleagues can be very helpful! One person can be the vegan customer, and the other can practice checking with the ‘kitchen’ and suggesting alternatives. Remember, even if options are limited, a polite and helpful attitude goes a long way in providing good service. Good luck!
