Deciding on the perfect ice cream flavor can be a fun challenge, especially with so many tempting options! This guide provides essential Korean phrases for discussing, debating, and choosing ice cream flavors with a friend at a Korean ice cream parlor. Learn how to express preferences, compare tastes, and make that final delicious decision.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 무슨 맛 먹을까?
Pronunciation: mu-seun mat meo-geul-kka?
Meaning: What flavor should I/we eat? (Used when debating choices)
Basic Ice Cream Phrases
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Expression: 아이스크림 먹으러 갈래?
Pronunciation: a-i-seu-keu-rim meo-geu-reo gal-lae?
Meaning: Do you want to go get ice cream? -
Expression: 여기 무슨 맛 있어요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi mu-seun mat i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: What flavors do you have here? -
Expression: 저는 초콜릿 맛 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun cho-kol-lit mat jo-a-hae-yo.
Meaning: I like chocolate flavor. -
Expression: 딸기 맛도 맛있어 보여요.
Pronunciation: ttal-gi mat-do ma-si-sseo bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: The strawberry flavor looks delicious too. -
Expression: 맛보기 좀 할 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: mat-bo-gi jom hal su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I have a small taste sample? -
Expression: 어떤 게 제일 인기가 많아요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon ge je-il in-gi-ga ma-na-yo?
Meaning: Which one is the most popular? -
Expression: 싱글 콘으로 주세요.
Pronunciation: sing-geul kon-eu-ro ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a single cone. -
Expression: 컵으로 주세요.
Pronunciation: keop-eu-ro ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give it to me in a cup. -
Expression: 더블 스쿱으로 할게요.
Pronunciation: deo-beul seu-kup-eu-ro hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll have a double scoop. -
Expression: 이 맛은 너무 달아요.
Pronunciation: i ma-seun neo-mu da-ra-yo.
Meaning: This flavor is too sweet. -
Expression: 상큼한 맛을 원해요.
Pronunciation: sang-keum-han ma-seul won-hae-yo.
Meaning: I want a refreshing flavor. -
Expression: 견과류 들어간 맛 있나요?
Pronunciation: gyeon-gwa-ryu deu-reo-gan mat in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any flavors with nuts?
Comparing Flavors
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Expression: 이 맛이랑 저 맛 중에 뭐가 더 맛있을까?
Pronunciation: i ma-si-rang jeo mat jung-e mwo-ga deo ma-si-sseul-kka?
Meaning: Between this flavor and that flavor, which one do you think is tastier? -
Expression: 바닐라보다 초콜릿이 더 좋아.
Pronunciation: ba-nil-la-bo-da cho-kol-li-si deo jo-a.
Meaning: I like chocolate more than vanilla. -
Expression: 이건 좀 덜 단 것 같아.
Pronunciation: i-geon jom deol dan geot ga-ta.
Meaning: This one seems less sweet. -
Expression: 저건 색깔이 더 예쁘다.
Pronunciation: jeo-geon saek-kka-ri deo ye-ppeu-da.
Meaning: That one has a prettier color. -
Expression: 둘 다 맛있어 보이는데…
Pronunciation: dul da ma-si-sseo bo-i-neun-de…
Meaning: Both look delicious… (implying indecision) -
Expression: 어떤 걸 골라야 할지 모르겠어.
Pronunciation: eo-tteon geol gol-la-ya hal-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo.
Meaning: I don’t know which one to choose. -
Expression: 민트 초코는 호불호가 갈리지.
Pronunciation: min-teu cho-ko-neun ho-bul-ho-ga gal-li-ji.
Meaning: Mint chocolate is polarizing (people either love it or hate it). -
Expression: 이 맛은 처음 보는데?
Pronunciation: i ma-seun cheo-eum bo-neun-de?
Meaning: I’m seeing this flavor for the first time? -
Expression: 과일 맛이랑 크림 맛 중에 고민돼.
Pronunciation: gwa-il ma-si-rang keu-rim mat jung-e go-min-dwae.
Meaning: I’m debating between a fruit flavor and a cream flavor. -
Expression: 이게 저것보다 더 상큼할 것 같아.
Pronunciation: i-ge jeo-geot-bo-da deo sang-keum-hal geot ga-ta.
Meaning: I think this one will be more refreshing than that one.
Making the Decision
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Expression: 너는 뭐 먹을 거야?
Pronunciation: neo-neun mwo meo-geul geo-ya?
Meaning: What are you going to get? -
Expression: 어떤 맛 추천해?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon mat chu-cheon-hae?
Meaning: Which flavor do you recommend? -
Expression: 이걸로 결정했어!
Pronunciation: i-geol-lo gyeol-jeong-hae-sseo!
Meaning: I’ve decided on this one! -
Expression: 그럼 나는 이걸로 할게.
Pronunciation: geu-reom na-neun i-geol-lo hal-ge.
Meaning: Then I’ll get this one. -
Expression: 우리 다른 맛으로 시켜서 나눠 먹을까?
Pronunciation: u-ri da-reun ma-seu-ro si-kyeo-seo na-nwo meo-geul-kka?
Meaning: Should we order different flavors and share? -
Expression: 그냥 제일 좋아하는 맛으로 먹을래.
Pronunciation: geu-nyang je-il jo-a-ha-neun ma-seu-ro meo-geul-lae.
Meaning: I’ll just get my favorite flavor. -
Expression: 사장님, 이걸로 하나 주세요.
Pronunciation: sa-jang-nim, i-geol-lo ha-na ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Owner/Sir/Ma’am, please give me one of this. -
Expression: 고민하다가 시간이 다 가겠네.
Pronunciation: go-min-ha-da-ga si-ga-ni da ga-gen-ne.
Meaning: We’ll spend all our time just debating. (Used humorously) -
Expression: 다음에 와서 다른 맛 먹어봐야지.
Pronunciation: da-eu-me wa-seo da-reun mat meo-geo-bwa-ya-ji.
Meaning: I should come next time and try a different flavor. -
Expression: 역시 아이스크림은 맛있어!
Pronunciation: yeok-si a-i-seu-keu-ri-meun ma-si-sseo!
Meaning: As expected, ice cream is delicious!
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding Korean culture enhances language use. When visiting an ice cream parlor in Korea, keep these points in mind:
Popular Flavors: Besides universal favorites like chocolate and vanilla, unique Korean flavors such as 팥 (pat – red bean), 녹차 (nok-cha – green tea), 인절미 (in-jeol-mi – roasted soybean powder/rice cake), and 흑임자 (heu-gim-ja – black sesame) are very popular and worth trying.
Baskin Robbins Dominance: Baskin Robbins (베스킨라빈스 – be-seu-kin-ra-bin-seu) is extremely popular in Korea, often referred to simply as “베라” (be-ra). They frequently release unique “Flavor of the Month” options, sometimes collaborating with other brands or themes.
Sampling Etiquette: Asking for a small taste (맛보기 – mat-bo-gi) is generally acceptable, especially at larger chains like Baskin Robbins. Don’t hesitate to ask politely using 맛보기 좀 할 수 있을까요? (mat-bo-gi jom hal su i-sseul-kka-yo?).
Sharing Culture: Sharing food, including desserts like ice cream, is common among friends in Korea. Suggesting ordering different flavors to share (나눠 먹을까? – na-nwo meo-geul-kka?) is a natural and friendly gesture.
Aesthetic Appeal: Presentation matters! Many Korean ice cream parlors and dessert cafes focus on visually appealing scoops, toppings, and overall presentation, making the experience enjoyable for the eyes as well as the palate.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minjun (A) and Sora (B), are at a new ice cream parlor trying to decide which flavors to get.
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Expression: A: 와, 여기 맛 진짜 많다! 뭘 골라야 할지 모르겠네.
Pronunciation: A: wa, yeo-gi mat jin-jja man-ta! mwol gol-la-ya hal-ji mo-reu-gen-ne.
Meaning: A: Wow, there are so many flavors here! I don’t know what to choose. -
Expression: B: 그러게. 저기 흑임자 맛이랑 인절미 맛 둘 다 맛있어 보여.
Pronunciation: B: geu-reo-ge. jeo-gi heu-gim-ja ma-si-rang in-jeol-mi mat dul da ma-si-sseo bo-yeo.
Meaning: B: I know, right? Both the black sesame flavor and the injeolmi flavor over there look delicious. -
Expression: A: 으음… 나는 상큼한 게 먹고 싶은데. 레몬 소르베는 어때?
Pronunciation: A: eu-eum… na-neun sang-keum-han ge meok-go si-peun-de. re-mon so-reu-be-neun eo-ttae?
Meaning: A: Hmm… I want something refreshing. How about the lemon sorbet? -
Expression: B: 레몬 소르베도 좋지! 근데 저 딸기 치즈케이크 맛도 새로 나온 건가 봐.
Pronunciation: B: re-mon so-reu-be-do jo-chi! geun-de jeo ttal-gi chi-jeu-ke-i-keu mat-do sae-ro na-on geon-ga bwa.
Meaning: B: Lemon sorbet is good too! But it looks like that strawberry cheesecake flavor is new as well. -
Expression: A: 아, 진짜 고민된다. 무슨 맛 먹을까? 너는 뭐 고를 거야?
Pronunciation: A: a, jin-jja go-min-doen-da. mu-seun mat meo-geul-kka? neo-neun mwo go-reul geo-ya?
Meaning: A: Ah, I’m really struggling to decide. What flavor should I get? What are you going to choose? -
Expression: B: 나는 인절미 맛 먹어볼래. 고소할 것 같아.
Pronunciation: B: na-neun in-jeol-mi mat meo-geo-bol-lae. go-so-hal geot ga-ta.
Meaning: B: I’m going to try the injeolmi flavor. It seems like it’ll be nutty and savory. -
Expression: A: 그럼 나는 딸기 치즈케이크로 할까? 아니면 레몬? 아, 모르겠다! 우리 그냥 다른 맛 시켜서 나눠 먹자!
Pronunciation: A: geu-reom na-neun ttal-gi chi-jeu-ke-i-keu-ro hal-kka? a-ni-myeon re-mon? a, mo-reu-get-da! u-ri geu-nyang da-reun mat si-kyeo-seo na-nwo meok-ja!
Meaning: A: Then should I get the strawberry cheesecake? Or the lemon? Ah, I don’t know! Let’s just order different flavors and share! -
Expression: B: 좋아! 그럼 내가 인절미 맛 시킬 테니, 너는 딸기 치즈케이크 시켜봐.
Pronunciation: B: jo-a! geu-reom nae-ga in-jeol-mi mat si-kil te-ni, neo-neun ttal-gi chi-jeu-ke-i-keu si-kyeo-bwa.
Meaning: B: Okay! Then I’ll order the injeolmi flavor, so you order the strawberry cheesecake.
Practice Tips
Ready to practice choosing ice cream flavors in Korean? Try role-playing with a friend or language partner! One person can be the customer, and the other can list imaginary flavors~ You can also visit a local Korean dessert cafe or ice cream shop if available and try ordering using these phrases!
Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations (추천해 주세요! – chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo!) or samples (맛보기 가능할까요? – mat-bo-gi ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?). The more you practice, the more natural it will become. Enjoy your delicious Korean ice cream adventures! 화이팅!
