Ordering drinks at a bustling Korean cafe is a common and enjoyable experience. This guide provides the essential Korean phrases you need to confidently place your order, customize it to your liking, and navigate the cafe environment. Learn key expressions from asking for the menu to specifying drink details and handling payment.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the most fundamental phrase for ordering anything in Korean.
- Expression: … 주세요
Pronunciation: … ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please give me … (Used when ordering items)
Basic Ordering Phrases
Use these phrases to initiate and complete a basic order at a cafe.
- Expression: 저기요!
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo!
Meaning: Excuse me! (To get staff’s attention) - Expression: 주문할게요.
Pronunciation: ju-mun-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to order. - Expression: 메뉴판 주세요.
Pronunciation: me-nyu-pan ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the menu. - Expression: 추천 메뉴 있어요?
Pronunciation: chu-cheon me-nyu iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have any recommended items? - Expression: 아이스 아메리카노 하나 주세요.
Pronunciation: a-i-seu a-me-ri-ka-no ha-na ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me one iced Americano. - Expression: 따뜻한 라떼 두 잔 주세요.
Pronunciation: tta-tteut-han la-tte du jan ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me two hot lattes. - Expression: 이거 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me this one. (Pointing at the menu) - Expression: 여기서 드실 건가요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo deu-sil geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Will you be having it here? (Staff question) - Expression: 네, 여기서 마실 거예요.
Pronunciation: ne, yeo-gi-seo ma-sil geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I’ll drink it here. - Expression: 아니요, 가져갈 거예요. / 테이크 아웃 할게요.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, ga-jyeo-gal geo-ye-yo. / te-i-keu a-ut hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: No, I’ll take it to go. / I’ll get it takeout. - Expression: 총 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: chong eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it in total? - Expression: 주문 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ju-mun do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I help you with your order? (Staff question)
Customization Phrases
Tailor your drink exactly how you like it with these customization requests.
- Expression: 사이즈는 어떻게 하세요?
Pronunciation: sa-i-jeu-neun eo-tteo-ke ha-se-yo?
Meaning: What size would you like? (Staff question) - Expression: 작은 사이즈로 주세요.
Pronunciation: ja-geun sa-i-jeu-ro ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the small size. - Expression: 큰 사이즈로 주세요.
Pronunciation: keun sa-i-jeu-ro ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the large size. - Expression: 얼음 많이 넣어주세요.
Pronunciation: eol-eum ma-ni neoeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please put in a lot of ice. - Expression: 얼음 조금만 넣어주세요.
Pronunciation: eol-eum jo-geum-man neoeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please put in just a little ice. - Expression: 얼음 빼주세요.
Pronunciation: eol-eum ppae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please leave out the ice. - Expression: 덜 달게 해주세요.
Pronunciation: deol dal-ge hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make it less sweet. - Expression: 시럽 빼주세요.
Pronunciation: si-reop ppae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please leave out the syrup. - Expression: 휘핑크림 올려주세요?
Pronunciation: hwi-ping-keu-rim ol-lyeo-ju-se-yo?
Meaning: Would you like whipped cream on top? (Staff question) - Expression: 네, 휘핑크림 많이 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, hwi-ping-keu-rim ma-ni ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, please give me lots of whipped cream. - Expression: 아니요, 휘핑크림 빼주세요.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, hwi-ping-keu-rim ppae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: No, please leave out the whipped cream. - Expression: 우유 대신 두유로 바꿔주세요.
Pronunciation: u-yu dae-sin du-yu-ro ba-kkwo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please change the milk to soy milk instead.
Payment and Pickup Phrases
Complete your transaction and collect your order smoothly.
- Expression: 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay now. - 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 the receipt. - Expression: 영수증 필요 없어요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung pil-yo eops-eo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t need the receipt. - Expression: 포인트 적립하세요?
Pronunciation: po-in-teu jeok-rip-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you want to collect points? (Staff question) - Expression: 네, 적립해주세요. / 아니요, 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: ne, jeok-rip-hae-ju-se-yo. / a-ni-yo, gwaen-chan-a-yo.
Meaning: Yes, please add the points. / No, it’s okay. - 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 your order when it buzzes. (Staff instruction) - Expression: 음료 나왔습니다.
Pronunciation: eum-nyo na-wat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Your drink is ready. (Staff announcement) - Expression: 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you. - Expression: 맛있게 드세요.
Pronunciation: ma-sit-ge deu-se-yo.
Meaning: Enjoy your drink. (Staff closing) - Expression: 빨대 어디 있어요?
Pronunciation: ppal-ttae eo-di iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Where are the straws?
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding cafe etiquette enhances your experience in Korea.
- Order First, Then Sit: In most Korean cafes, especially chains and busy independent ones, it’s customary to order and pay at the counter before finding a seat.
- Vibration Pagers (진동벨 – Jindongbel): Many cafes use electronic pagers that vibrate or buzz when your order is ready. You take it after paying and return it when you pick up your drinks.
- Self-Service Stations: Look for a self-service area (셀프 바 – selpeu ba) where you can usually find water, napkins, sugar, stirrers, and sometimes lids and straws. It’s expected that you help yourself to these items.
- Clearing Your Table: While not universal, it’s generally good etiquette, especially in chain cafes, to return your tray, cups, and any trash to a designated return station before leaving.
- Study/Work Culture: Cafes are popular spots for studying or working. You’ll often see patrons spending extended periods with laptops or books. Be mindful of noise levels if the cafe has a quiet atmosphere.
Real Conversation Example
This example demonstrates ordering a customized drink at a Korean cafe.
Situation: A customer (A) is ordering an iced vanilla latte at a cafe counter from a barista (B).
Roles:
* A: Customer
* B: Barista
- Expression: B: 어서 오세요. 주문 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: eo-seo o-se-yo. ju-mun do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Welcome. May I help you with your order? - Expression: A: 네. 아이스 바닐라 라떼 하나 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne. a-i-seu ba-nil-la la-tte ha-na ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes. Please give me one iced vanilla latte. - Expression: B: 네. 사이즈는 어떻게 해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne. sa-i-jeu-neun eo-tteo-ke hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Okay. What size would you like? - Expression: A: 큰 사이즈로 주시고요, 얼음은 조금만 넣어주세요.
Pronunciation: keun sa-i-jeu-ro ju-si-go-yo, eol-eum-eun jo-geum-man neoeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the large size, and put in just a little ice. - Expression: B: 네, 큰 사이즈, 얼음 조금 맞으시죠? 혹시 휘핑크림 올려드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, keun sa-i-jeu, eol-eum jo-geum ma-jeu-si-jyo? hok-si hwi-ping-keu-rim ol-lyeo-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Okay, large size, a little ice, is that correct? Would you perhaps like whipped cream on top? - Expression: A: 아니요, 휘핑크림은 빼주세요.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, hwi-ping-keu-rim-eun ppae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: No, please leave out the whipped cream. - Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 총 6,000원입니다. 여기서 드시고 가시나요?
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. chong yuk-cheon-won-im-ni-da. yeo-gi-seo deu-si-go ga-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Understood. It’s 6,000 won in total. Are you having it here? - Expression: A: 네, 여기서 마실 거예요. 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: ne, yeo-gi-seo ma-sil geo-ye-yo. ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I’ll drink it here. I’ll pay by card. - Expression: B: 네. (결제 후) 진동벨 드릴게요. 울리면 픽업대에서 찾아가세요.
Pronunciation: ne. (gyeol-je hu) jin-dong-bel deu-ril-ge-yo. ul-li-myeon pi-geop-ttae-e-seo cha-ja-ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Okay. (After payment) I’ll give you a pager. When it buzzes, please pick up your order at the pickup counter. - Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, thank you.
Practice Tips
Ready to order your next coffee in Korean?~ Try these tips!
- Role-play: Practice ordering with a friend or language partner, taking turns being the customer and the barista.
- Start Simple: Begin with basic orders like “아메리카노 하나 주세요” (Amerikano hana juseyo) before adding customizations.
- Listen Actively: Pay attention to how baristas and other customers interact in Korean cafes. You’ll pick up natural phrasing!
- Visit Cafes: The best practice is real-world application! Don’t be afraid to try ordering in Korean at a local cafe. Staff are usually patient with learners.
- Use Flashcards: Create flashcards for key vocabulary (drink names, sizes, customizations) and review them regularly.
You’ve got this! Enjoy exploring Korea’s vibrant cafe scene!
