Ordering coffee in Korea is a daily activity for many, but customizing your drink can be tricky if you don’t know the right phrases. This guide focuses specifically on how to ask for your beverage without cream, a common request for those managing dietary preferences or simply preferring their drinks plain. Learn the essential Korean expressions to confidently communicate your needs to the barista and enjoy your coffee exactly the way you like it.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 크림 빼고 주세요.
Pronunciation: keu-rim ppae-go ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give it to me without cream. (Literally: Please give it excluding cream.)
Basic Ordering Phrases
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Expression: 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요.
Pronunciation: a-me-ri-ka-no han jan ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me one Americano. -
Expression: 카페 라떼 아이스로 주세요.
Pronunciation: ka-pe ra-tte a-i-seu-ro ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me an iced Cafe Latte. -
Expression: 메뉴판 좀 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: me-nyu-pan jom bol su it-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I see the menu, please? -
Expression: 주문할게요.
Pronunciation: ju-mun-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to order. -
Expression: 여기서 마실 거예요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo ma-shil geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: I’ll drink it here (For here). -
Expression: 가지고 갈 거예요. / 테이크 아웃 할게요.
Pronunciation: ga-ji-go gal geo-ye-yo. / te-i-keu a-ut hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll take it to go. / I’ll get it takeout. -
Expression: 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it? -
Expression: 카드 돼요?
Pronunciation: ka-deu dwae-yo?
Meaning: Do you accept cards? -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the receipt. -
Expression: 추천 메뉴 있어요?
Pronunciation: chu-cheon me-nyu iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have any recommended items?
Asking About Cream and Customizations
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Expression: 이 음료에 크림 들어가나요?
Pronunciation: i eum-nyo-e keu-rim deu-reo-ga-na-yo?
Meaning: Does this drink contain cream? -
Expression: 휘핑 크림 빼주세요.
Pronunciation: hwi-ping keu-rim ppae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please remove the whipped cream. -
Expression: 크림 없이 만들어 주세요.
Pronunciation: keu-rim eop-shi man-deu-reo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make it without cream. -
Expression: 우유 대신 두유로 바꿔주세요.
Pronunciation: u-yu dae-shin du-yu-ro ba-kkwo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please change the milk to soy milk instead. -
Expression: 시럽은 조금만 넣어주세요.
Pronunciation: shi-reop-eun jo-geum-man neo-eo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please put only a little syrup. -
Expression: 덜 달게 해주세요.
Pronunciation: deol dal-ge hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make it less sweet. -
Expression: 얼음 많이 넣어주세요.
Pronunciation: eo-reum ma-ni neo-eo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please put a lot of ice. -
Expression: 얼음 빼고 주세요.
Pronunciation: eo-reum ppae-go ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give it without ice. -
Expression: 혹시 유제품 안 들어간 음료 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-shi yu-je-pum an deu-reo-gan eum-nyo inn-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any drinks without dairy products, by any chance? -
Expression: 크림 종류가 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: keu-rim jong-nyu-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What kind of cream is it?
Potential Barista Responses
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Expression: 네, 크림 빼 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: ne, keu-rim ppae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I will remove the cream for you. -
Expression: 휘핑 크림 말씀이신가요?
Pronunciation: hwi-ping keu-rim mal-sseum-i-shin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are you referring to the whipped cream? -
Expression: 이 음료는 원래 크림이 안 들어가요.
Pronunciation: i eum-nyo-neun won-rae keu-rim-i an deu-reo-ga-yo.
Meaning: This drink originally doesn’t contain cream. -
Expression: 크림 빼면 맛이 좀 다를 수 있어요. 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: keu-rim ppae-myeon mat-i jom da-reul su iss-eo-yo. gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: If we remove the cream, the taste might be a bit different. Is that okay? -
Expression: 알겠습니다. 크림 없이 준비해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: al-get-sseum-ni-da. keu-rim eop-shi jun-bi-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Understood. I will prepare it without cream for you. -
Expression: 주문 확인해 드릴게요. 아이스 카페 모카, 크림 빼고 맞으신가요?
Pronunciation: ju-mun hwa-gin-hae deu-ril-ge-yo. a-i-seu ka-pe mo-ka, keu-rim ppae-go ma-jeu-shin-ga-yo?
Meaning: I’ll confirm your order. One iced Cafe Mocha, without cream, is that correct? -
Expression: 추가 비용은 없습니다.
Pronunciation: chu-ga bi-yong-eun eop-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: There is no additional charge. -
Expression: 잠시만 기다려 주세요.
Pronunciation: jam-shi-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please wait a moment. -
Expression: 진동벨 드릴게요. 울리면 가지러 오세요.
Pronunciation: jin-dong-bel deu-ril-ge-yo. ul-li-myeon ga-ji-reo o-se-yo.
Meaning: I’ll give you a pager. Please come get it when it buzzes. -
Expression: 맛있게 드세요.
Pronunciation: ma-shit-ge deu-se-yo.
Meaning: Enjoy your drink. (Literally: Eat/drink deliciously)
Korean Cafe Culture Notes
Korea has a vibrant cafe culture, with coffee shops on nearly every corner, ranging from large chains to small, independent boutiques. Understanding a few cultural points can enhance your experience.
Customization is generally welcomed in Korean cafes, especially at larger chains. Don’t hesitate to ask for adjustments like less ice, less syrup, or alternative milk (though options might be limited compared to some Western countries).
Whipped cream (휘핑 크림 – hwi-ping keu-rim) is a common topping for many sweet coffee drinks and non-coffee beverages like frappés. If you want to avoid it, specifying “휘핑 크림 빼고 주세요” (hwi-ping keu-rim ppae-go ju-se-yo) is clearer than just saying “no cream.”
While Americanos are extremely popular, many Koreans also enjoy sweeter coffee drinks like Vanilla Lattes, Caramel Macchiatos, and Cafe Mochas, which often come standard with whipped cream unless requested otherwise.
Using pagers (진동벨 – jin-dong-bel) is standard practice in most cafes. You’ll receive one after ordering, and it will buzz or light up when your drink is ready for pickup at the counter.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) is ordering an iced Cafe Mocha at a coffee shop and wants it without whipped cream. The barista (B) takes the order.
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 주문할게요.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. ju-mun-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello. I’d like to order. -
Expression: B: 네, 안녕하세요. 어떤 걸로 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. eo-tteon geol-lo deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, hello. What would you like? -
Expression: A: 아이스 카페 모카 한 잔 주세요. 그런데 휘핑 크림은 빼고 주세요.
Pronunciation: A: a-i-seu ka-pe mo-ka han jan ju-se-yo. geu-reon-de hwi-ping keu-rim-eun ppae-go ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A: Please give me one iced Cafe Mocha. But please give it without whipped cream. -
Expression: B: 네, 아이스 카페 모카 휘핑 크림 없이요. 사이즈는 어떻게 해드릴까요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, a-i-seu ka-pe mo-ka hwi-ping keu-rim eop-shi-yo. ssa-i-jeu-neun eo-tteo-ke hae-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Okay, one iced Cafe Mocha without whipped cream. What size would you like? -
Expression: A: 기본 사이즈로 주세요. 여기서 마실 거예요.
Pronunciation: A: gi-bon ssa-i-jeu-ro ju-se-yo. yeo-gi-seo ma-shil geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: A: Please give me the regular size. I’ll drink it here. -
Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 아이스 카페 모카 기본 사이즈, 휘핑 없이, 매장에서 드시는 걸로 준비해 드릴게요. 6000원입니다.
Pronunciation: B: al-get-sseum-ni-da. a-i-seu ka-pe mo-ka gi-bon ssa-i-jeu, hwi-ping eop-shi, mae-jang-e-seo deu-shi-neun geol-lo jun-bi-hae deu-ril-ge-yo. yuk-cheon-won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Understood. I’ll prepare one regular size iced Cafe Mocha, no whip, for here. It’s 6,000 won. -
Expression: A: 네, 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: A: ne, ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: A: Okay, I’ll pay by card. -
Expression: B: 네. 잠시만 기다려 주세요. 진동벨 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: B: ne. jam-shi-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo. jin-dong-bel deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: B: Okay. Please wait a moment. I’ll give you a pager.
Practice Tips
Getting your coffee order right, especially with customizations, feels great! Try practicing these phrases out loud. You can even role-play the conversation example with a friend or by yourself~!
Next time you visit a Korean cafe (or even a Korean-run cafe in your area!), try ordering using these expressions. Start with a simple order and gradually add customizations like “크림 빼고 주세요“. Don’t worry about perfection; baristas are usually very understanding and helpful. 화이팅 (hwaiting – You can do it)!
