Exploring Korea’s vibrant food and drink scene often involves trying local alcoholic beverages. Knowing how to ask for recommendations can enhance your dining experience, whether you’re at a restaurant, bar, or traditional pub (주점 – ju-jeom). This guide provides essential Korean phrases for requesting alcohol suggestions, specifying your preferences, and understanding the recommendations you receive.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 주류 추천해 주세요
Pronunciation: ju-ryu chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please recommend an alcoholic beverage. (This is the most direct and common way to ask.)
Basic Recommendation Requests
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Expression: 어떤 술을 추천하시나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon sul-eul chu-cheon-ha-si-na-yo?
Meaning: What kind of alcohol do you recommend? -
Expression: 여기서 뭐가 제일 잘 나가요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo mwo-ga je-il jal na-ga-yo?
Meaning: What sells the best here? / What’s most popular here? -
Expression: 괜찮은 술 하나 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-eun sul ha-na chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend a good drink. -
Expression: 이 음식과 잘 어울리는 술 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: i eum-sik-gwa jal eo-ul-li-neun sul chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend an alcohol that goes well with this food. -
Expression: 한국 전통주 추천해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: han-guk jeon-tong-ju chu-cheon-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you recommend a traditional Korean liquor? -
Expression: 가볍게 마실 만한 것 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: ga-byeop-ge ma-sil man-han geot chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend something light to drink. -
Expression: 소주 말고 다른 술 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: so-ju mal-go da-reun sul chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend something other than Soju. -
Expression: 막걸리 종류 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: mak-geol-li jong-nyu chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend a type of Makgeolli (Korean rice wine). -
Expression: 맥주 어떤 종류가 있나요?
Pronunciation: maek-ju eo-tteon jong-nyu-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: What kinds of beer do you have? -
Expression: 여기 시그니처 칵테일 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi si-geu-ni-cheo kak-te-il chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend your signature cocktail here.
Specifying Preferences
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Expression: 저는 단 술을 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun dan sul-eul jo-a-hae-yo.
Meaning: I like sweet alcohol. -
Expression: 저는 드라이한 술을 선호해요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun deu-ra-i-han sul-eul seon-ho-hae-yo.
Meaning: I prefer dry alcohol. -
Expression: 도수가 낮은 술로 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: do-su-ga na-jeun sul-lo chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend something with low alcohol content. -
Expression: 도수가 높은 술도 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: do-su-ga no-peun sul-do gwaen-chan-a-yo.
Meaning: Alcohol with high proof is okay too. -
Expression: 과일 향 나는 술이 좋아요.
Pronunciation: gwa-il hyang na-neun sul-i jo-a-yo.
Meaning: I like fruity alcohol. -
Expression: 너무 비싸지 않은 걸로 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: neo-mu bi-ssa-ji an-eun geol-lo chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend something that’s not too expensive. -
Expression: 탄산 없는 술로 부탁드려요.
Pronunciation: tan-san eom-neun sul-lo bu-tak-deu-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend something non-carbonated. -
Expression: 상큼한 맛의 술을 원해요.
Pronunciation: sang-keum-han mat-ui sul-eul won-hae-yo.
Meaning: I want something with a refreshing taste. -
Expression: 깔끔한 맛의 술이 있을까요?
Pronunciation: kkal-kkeum-han mat-ui sul-i is-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything with a clean taste? -
Expression: 여자들이 좋아할 만한 술 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeo-ja-deul-i jo-a-hal man-han sul chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend an alcohol that women might like. (Use cautiously, can be stereotypical).
Understanding Recommendations
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Expression: 이건 어떤 종류의 술인가요?
Pronunciation: i-geon eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui sul-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What kind of alcohol is this? -
Expression: 도수가 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: do-su-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the alcohol percentage (proof)? -
Expression: 이 술은 단 편인가요?
Pronunciation: i sul-eun dan pyeon-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this alcohol on the sweet side? -
Expression: 맛이 어떤가요?
Pronunciation: mat-i eo-tteon-ga-yo?
Meaning: How does it taste? -
Expression: 가격은 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: ga-gyeok-eun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much does it cost? -
Expression: 네, 그걸로 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, geu-geol-lo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I’ll have that one. -
Expression: 다른 건 없나요?
Pronunciation: da-reun geon eom-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything else? -
Expression: 조금 더 생각해 볼게요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum deo saeng-gak-hae bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll think about it a little more. -
Expression: 이거 한 병 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geo han byeong ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me one bottle of this. -
Expression: 이거 한 잔 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geo han jan ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me one glass of this.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding Korean drinking culture (음주 문화 – eum-ju mun-hwa) can make your experience smoother. When someone offers you a drink, especially an elder or senior, it’s polite to receive the glass with two hands. Similarly, when pouring for others (particularly elders), use two hands (one supporting your pouring arm).
Drinking in Korea is often a communal activity and usually accompanied by food called ‘anju’ (안주). Anju ranges from simple snacks like dried squid to elaborate dishes like Pajeon (파전 – green onion pancake) or Jokbal (족발 – braised pig’s trotters). Ordering food alongside alcohol is very common.
Common Korean alcoholic beverages include Soju (소주 – clear, distilled spirit, often green bottle), Makgeolli (막걸리 – milky, fermented rice wine), and various types of beer (맥주 – maek-ju). Don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations beyond these basics!
It’s customary for the youngest person at the table or a junior colleague to pour drinks for seniors first. Avoid pouring your own drink; typically, someone else will pour for you.
Saying ‘Geonbae!’ (건배!) is the Korean equivalent of ‘Cheers!’. You might also hear ‘Jjan!’ (짠!), a more casual way to toast.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) is at a Korean restaurant and wants to order a drink to go with their meal (Kimchi Jjigae).
Roles: A = Customer, B = Server
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Expression: A: 저기요, 김치찌개 주문했는데요. 이 음식과 잘 어울리는 술 추천해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, gim-chi-jji-gae ju-mun-haet-neun-de-yo. i eum-sik-gwa jal eo-ul-li-neun sul chu-cheon-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Excuse me, I ordered Kimchi Jjigae. Could you recommend an alcohol that goes well with this food? -
Expression: B: 네, 김치찌개에는 보통 소주나 막걸리를 많이 드세요. 어떤 종류를 선호하세요?
Pronunciation: ne, gim-chi-jji-gae-e-neun bo-tong so-ju-na mak-geol-li-reul man-i deu-se-yo. eo-tteon jong-nyu-reul seon-ho-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, people often drink Soju or Makgeolli with Kimchi Jjigae. Which type do you prefer? -
Expression: A: 음… 막걸리 중에서 좀 단 맛이 나는 걸로 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: eum… mak-geol-li jung-e-seo jom dan mat-i na-neun geol-lo chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A: Hmm… Please recommend a Makgeolli that’s a bit on the sweet side. -
Expression: B: 그럼 저희 밤 막걸리 한번 드셔보세요. 달콤하고 고소해서 인기가 많습니다.
Pronunciation: geu-reom jeo-hui bam mak-geol-li han-beon deu-syeo-bo-se-yo. dal-kom-ha-go go-so-hae-seo in-gi-ga man-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Then, try our Chestnut Makgeolli. It’s popular because it’s sweet and nutty. -
Expression: A: 좋아요! 그걸로 한 병 주세요.
Pronunciation: jo-a-yo! geu-geol-lo han byeong ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A: Sounds good! Please give me one bottle of that. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 금방 가져다 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. geum-bang ga-jyeo-da deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, understood. I’ll bring it right away.
Practice Tips
Ready to order like a local? Try practicing these phrases out loud! You can role-play with a friend or language partner~. Visiting a Korean restaurant or bar (even outside Korea!) is a great chance to use these expressions in a real setting. Don’t be shy about asking for recommendations; staff are usually happy to help you find something you’ll enjoy! Watching Korean dramas or movies featuring dining scenes can also help you hear how these phrases are used naturally. Fighting! (화이팅! – hwa-i-ting!)
