Korean side dish shops, known as 반찬 가게 (ban-chan ga-ge), are a fantastic resource for enjoying a variety of delicious and authentic Korean side dishes without cooking them yourself. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary to help you confidently navigate a 반찬 가게 and order your favorite 반찬 (ban-chan).
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 반찬 가게에서 주문하기
Pronunciation: ban-chan ga-ge-e-seo ju-mun-ha-gi
Meaning: Ordering at a Banchan Shop
Basic Ordering Phrases
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Expression: 안녕하세요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Hello. (Standard greeting when entering) -
Expression: 이거 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me this one. (Pointing at a dish) -
Expression: 저거 주세요.
Pronunciation: jeo-geo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me that one. (Pointing at a dish further away) -
Expression: 김치 있어요?
Pronunciation: gim-chi iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have kimchi? -
Expression: 이 반찬 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i ban-chan i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of this side dish? -
Expression: 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it? -
Expression: 이거 하나 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geo ha-na ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me one of this. (Referring to a pre-packaged item or standard portion) -
Expression: 포장해 주세요.
Pronunciation: po-jang-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please pack it to go. -
Expression: 여기서 먹을 거예요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo meog-eul geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: I will eat here. (Less common in banchan shops, but possible if they have seating) -
Expression: 추천해 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: chu-cheon-hae ju-sil su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Can you recommend something? -
Expression: 오늘 만든 거예요?
Pronunciation: o-neul man-deun geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Was this made today? -
Expression: 맛있어 보여요.
Pronunciation: mas-iss-eo bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: It looks delicious.
Asking About Banchan
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Expression: 이거 매워요?
Pronunciation: i-geo mae-wo-yo?
Meaning: Is this spicy? -
Expression: 안 매운 반찬 있어요?
Pronunciation: an mae-un ban-chan iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have any non-spicy side dishes? -
Expression: 이거 뭐로 만들었어요?
Pronunciation: i-geo mwo-ro man-deul-eoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: What is this made of? / What are the ingredients? -
Expression: 고기 들어갔어요?
Pronunciation: go-gi deul-eo-gass-eo-yo?
Meaning: Does it contain meat? -
Expression: 채식 반찬 있어요?
Pronunciation: chae-sik ban-chan iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have vegetarian side dishes? -
Expression: 이거 맛 좀 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: i-geo mat jom bol su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I have a little taste of this? (Ask politely, some shops allow samples) -
Expression: 아이들이 먹을 만한 반찬 있어요?
Pronunciation: a-i-deul-i meog-eul man-han ban-chan iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have side dishes suitable for children? -
Expression: 이 나물 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i na-mul i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of this seasoned vegetable (namul)? -
Expression: 이건 어떻게 먹는 거예요?
Pronunciation: i-geon eo-tteoh-ge meok-neun geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: How do you eat this? (If unfamiliar with a dish) -
Expression: 보관은 어떻게 해요?
Pronunciation: bo-gwan-eun eo-tteoh-ge hae-yo?
Meaning: How should I store this? -
Expression: 유통기한이 언제까지예요?
Pronunciation: yu-tong-gi-han-i eon-je-kka-ji-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the expiration date?
Specifying Quantity and Packaging
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Expression: 조금만 주세요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me just a little. -
Expression: 많이 주세요.
Pronunciation: man-i ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a lot. -
Expression: 오천 원어치 주세요.
Pronunciation: o-cheon won-eo-chi ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me 5,000 won worth. (Adjust amount as needed) -
Expression: 한 팩 주세요.
Pronunciation: han paek ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me one pack. (For pre-packaged items) -
Expression: 두 팩 주세요.
Pronunciation: du paek ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me two packs. -
Expression: 따로 담아주세요.
Pronunciation: tta-ro dam-a-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please pack them separately. (If buying multiple items) -
Expression: 같이 담아도 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: gat-i dam-a-do gwaen-chan-a-yo.
Meaning: It’s okay to pack them together. -
Expression: 국물 새지 않게 잘 포장해 주세요.
Pronunciation: guk-mul sae-ji anh-ge jal po-jang-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please pack it well so the broth/liquid doesn’t leak. -
Expression: 봉투 하나 더 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: bong-tu ha-na deo ju-sil su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could I get one more bag? -
Expression: 이거랑 이거 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geo-rang i-geo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me this one and this one. -
Expression: 총 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: chong eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it in total?
Payment and Finishing Up
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Expression: 전부 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: jeon-bu eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is everything? -
Expression: 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. -
Expression: 현금으로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay with cash. -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a receipt. -
Expression: 영수증 필요 없어요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung pil-yo eobs-eo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t need a receipt. -
Expression: 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you. -
Expression: 안녕히 계세요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo.
Meaning: Goodbye. (Said when leaving) -
Expression: 수고하세요.
Pronunciation: su-go-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Keep up the good work. (A common polite closing remark) -
Expression: 다음에 또 올게요.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e tto ol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll come again next time. -
Expression: 이거 서비스예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo seo-bi-seu-ye-yo?
Meaning: Is this complimentary/on the house? (If they give you extra) -
Expression: 잘 먹겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jal meok-gess-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will eat well. (A polite expression of gratitude before eating, can also be said upon receiving the food)
Cultural Tips
Banchan shops often sell side dishes by weight or in pre-portioned packs. Prices are usually displayed per 100g or per pack. Don’t be afraid to ask 얼마예요? (eol-ma-ye-yo? – How much is it?) if you’re unsure.
While not always guaranteed, some friendly shop owners might offer a small taste (맛보기 – mat-bo-gi) if you ask politely, especially if you’re buying several items. Use the phrase 맛 좀 볼 수 있을까요? (mat jom bol su iss-eul-kka-yo?).
Banchan shops are typically small, family-run businesses. Being polite and using phrases like 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da) and 수고하세요 (su-go-ha-se-yo) is always appreciated.
Many shops sell popular staples like various types of Kimchi (김치), seasoned spinach (시금치 무침 – si-geum-chi mu-chim), stir-fried anchovies (멸치볶음 – myeol-chi-bokk-eum), and braised black beans (콩자반 – kong-ja-ban).
Side dishes are usually packed in plastic containers. If you buy multiple items, you can ask for them to be packed separately (따로 담아주세요 – tta-ro dam-a-ju-se-yo) or together (같이 담아도 괜찮아요 – gat-i dam-a-do gwaen-chan-a-yo).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) is ordering side dishes at a local banchan shop from the owner (B).
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Hello. -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 뭐 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. mwo deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Yes, welcome. What can I get for you? -
Expression: A: 저기 있는 잡채랑 시금치 무침 주세요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi iss-neun jap-chae-rang si-geum-chi mu-chim ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me that Japchae (glass noodles) and the seasoned spinach over there. -
Expression: B: 네. 얼마나 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne. eol-ma-na deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Okay. How much would you like? -
Expression: A: 잡채는 오천 원어치 주시고, 시금치는 삼천 원어치 주세요.
Pronunciation: jap-chae-neun o-cheon won-eo-chi ju-si-go, si-geum-chi-neun sam-cheon won-eo-chi ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me 5,000 won worth of Japchae, and 3,000 won worth of spinach. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 다른 건 더 필요 없으세요? 이 멸치볶음도 오늘 맛있게 됐어요.
Pronunciation: ne, al-gess-seum-ni-da. da-reun geon deo pil-yo eobs-eu-se-yo? i myeol-chi-bokk-eum-do o-neul mas-iss-ge dwaess-eo-yo.
Meaning: Okay, I understand. Do you need anything else? These stir-fried anchovies also turned out delicious today. -
Expression: A: 아, 그럼 멸치볶음도 조금만 주세요. 이천 원어치요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reom myeol-chi-bokk-eum-do jo-geum-man ju-se-yo. i-cheon won-eo-chi-yo.
Meaning: Ah, then please give me a little bit of the stir-fried anchovies too. 2,000 won worth. -
Expression: B: 네. 전부 만 원입니다.
Pronunciation: ne. jeon-bu man won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Okay. It’s 10,000 won in total. -
Expression: A: 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. -
Expression: B: 네. 여기 있습니다. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ne. yeo-gi iss-seum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Okay. Here you go. Thank you. -
Expression: A: 감사합니다. 안녕히 계세요.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo.
Meaning: Thank you. Goodbye.
Practice Tips
Ready to try ordering some delicious banchan?~ Visiting a local Korean market or a dedicated banchan shop is the best way to practice! Start by identifying one or two dishes you want to try. Use 이거 주세요 (i-geo ju-se-yo) while pointing!
Don’t worry about perfection! Shop owners are usually very understanding and helpful, especially if they see you’re trying to speak Korean. Even simple phrases like 얼마예요? (eol-ma-ye-yo?) and 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da) go a long way. Practice the pronunciations, and soon you’ll be ordering like a local! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
