Ordering coffee is a daily routine for many, and knowing how to interact in Korean cafes enhances the experience. This guide focuses on phrases a barista might use, specifically recommending a warm latte on a chilly morning, and how customers can respond. Learn key vocabulary and expressions for smooth cafe interactions in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Recommendation Phrase
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Expression: 따뜻한 라떼 한 잔 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: Tta-tteu-tan ra-tte han jan eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: How about a warm latte? (A polite suggestion)
Basic Cafe Ordering Phrases
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Expression: 어서 오세요.
Pronunciation: Eo-seo o-se-yo.
Meaning: Welcome. -
Expression: 주문하시겠어요?
Pronunciation: Ju-mun-ha-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Would you like to order? -
Expression: 뭐 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: Mwo deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: What can I get for you? -
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 두 잔 주세요.
Pronunciation: Ka-pe ra-tte du jan ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me two Cafe Lattes. -
Expression: 따뜻한 걸로 주세요.
Pronunciation: Tta-tteu-tan geol-lo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make it hot. -
Expression: 차가운 걸로 주세요.
Pronunciation: Cha-ga-un geol-lo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make it iced/cold. -
Expression: 여기서 드실 건가요?
Pronunciation: Yeo-gi-seo deu-sil geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: For here? -
Expression: 가져가실 건가요? / 포장해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: Ga-jyeo-ga-sil geon-ga-yo? / Po-jang-hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: To go? / Shall I pack it for you? -
Expression: 결제 도와드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: Gyeol-je do-wa-deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’ll help you with the payment. -
Expression: 총 [금액]원입니다.
Pronunciation: Chong [geu-maek]-won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The total is [amount] won. -
Expression: 영수증 필요하세요?
Pronunciation: Yeong-su-jeung pil-yo-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you need a receipt?
Barista Recommendation Phrases
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Expression: 오늘 날씨가 쌀쌀한데, 따뜻한 음료 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: O-neul nal-ssi-ga ssal-ssal-han-de, tta-tteu-tan eum-ryo eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: The weather is chilly today, how about a warm drink? -
Expression: 따뜻한 라떼 한 잔 추천해 드려요.
Pronunciation: Tta-tteu-tan ra-tte han jan chu-cheon-hae deu-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: I recommend a warm latte. -
Expression: 저희 카페 라떼가 정말 맛있어요.
Pronunciation: Jeo-hui ka-pe ra-tte-ga jeong-mal ma-si-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Our cafe latte is really delicious. -
Expression: 부드러운 우유 거품이 올라간 라떼입니다.
Pronunciation: Bu-deu-reo-un u-yu geo-pum-i ol-la-gan ra-tte-im-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s a latte topped with soft milk foam. -
Expression: 몸을 녹이기에 딱 좋은 음료예요.
Pronunciation: Mom-eul nok-i-gi-e ttak jo-eun eum-ryo-ye-yo.
Meaning: It’s the perfect drink to warm you up. -
Expression: 달콤한 바닐라 라떼도 인기 많아요.
Pronunciation: Dal-kom-han ba-nil-la ra-tte-do in-gi ma-na-yo.
Meaning: Sweet vanilla lattes are also very popular. -
Expression: 혹시 다른 음료 찾으시는 거 있으세요?
Pronunciation: Hok-si da-reun eum-ryo cha-jeu-si-neun geo i-sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: Are you perhaps looking for any other drinks? -
Expression: 이 라떼는 저희 시그니처 메뉴 중 하나입니다.
Pronunciation: I ra-tte-neun jeo-hui si-geu-ni-cheo me-nyu jung ha-na-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This latte is one of our signature menus. -
Expression: 샷 추가나 시럽 변경도 가능하세요.
Pronunciation: Syat chu-ga-na si-reop byeon-gyeong-do ga-neung-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Adding shots or changing syrup is also possible. -
Expression: 추운 아침에는 역시 따뜻한 라떼죠.
Pronunciation: Chu-un a-chim-e-neun yeok-si tta-tteu-tan ra-tte-jyo.
Meaning: On a cold morning, a warm latte is definitely the way to go. -
Expression: 고소한 맛을 좋아하시면 이 라떼를 추천드려요.
Pronunciation: Go-so-han ma-seul jo-a-ha-si-myeon i ra-tte-reul chu-cheon-deu-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: If you like a nutty flavor, I recommend this latte. -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 커피를 선호하세요?
Pronunciation: Eo-tteon jong-ryu-ui keo-pi-reul seon-ho-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: What kind of coffee do you prefer?
Customer Responses to Recommendations
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Expression: 네, 좋아요. 따뜻한 라떼 한 잔 주세요.
Pronunciation: Ne, jo-a-yo. Tta-tteu-tan ra-tte han jan ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, sounds good. Please give me one warm latte. -
Expression: 추천 감사합니다. 그걸로 할게요.
Pronunciation: Chu-cheon gam-sa-ham-ni-da. Geu-geol-lo hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: Thank you for the recommendation. I’ll have that. -
Expression: 음… 다른 건 없나요?
Pronunciation: Eum… da-reun geon eom-na-yo?
Meaning: Hmm… Is there anything else? -
Expression: 라떼 말고 혹시 티 종류도 있나요?
Pronunciation: Ra-tte mal-go hok-si ti jong-ryu-do in-na-yo?
Meaning: Besides latte, do you perhaps have types of tea? -
Expression: 그냥 아메리카노로 주세요.
Pronunciation: Geu-nyang a-me-ri-ka-no-ro ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Just give me an Americano, please. -
Expression: 라떼는 별로 안 좋아해서요.
Pronunciation: Ra-tte-neun byeol-lo an jo-a-hae-seo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t really like lattes much. -
Expression: 얼마나 달아요?
Pronunciation: Eol-ma-na da-ra-yo?
Meaning: How sweet is it? (Referring to a recommended sweet latte) -
Expression: 네, 그걸로 주세요. 사이즈는 작은 걸로요.
Pronunciation: Ne, geu-geol-lo ju-se-yo. Sa-i-jeu-neun ja-geun geol-lo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, please give me that one. Small size, please. -
Expression: 조금 덜 달게 해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: Jo-geum deol dal-ge hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you make it a little less sweet? -
Expression: 우유 대신 두유로 변경 가능할까요?
Pronunciation: U-yu dae-sin du-yu-ro byeon-gyeong ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to change the milk to soy milk? -
Expression: 네, 추천해주신 걸로 마셔볼게요.
Pronunciation: Ne, chu-cheon-hae-ju-sin geol-lo ma-syeo-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I’ll try the one you recommended. -
Expression: 다른 추천 메뉴는 없어요?
Pronunciation: Da-reun chu-cheon me-nyu-neun eop-seo-yo?
Meaning: Are there any other recommended menu items?
Korean Culture Notes
Cafe Culture: Korea boasts a dynamic cafe culture. Cafes serve as popular hubs for studying, socializing, or simply unwinding. Many feature unique themes and aesthetically pleasing interiors, making them more than just places to grab coffee.
Ordering Process: Typically, you place your order and pay at the counter first. It’s common to receive an electronic pager (진동벨 – jin-dong-bel) that vibrates or buzzes to notify you when your drink is ready for pickup at the counter.
Drink Preferences: While Iced Americano (아이스 아메리카노 – a-i-seu a-me-ri-ka-no, often shortened to 아아 – a-a) is incredibly popular year-round, warmer beverages gain traction in colder months. Warm lattes, cappuccinos, various teas, and traditional Korean teas like Citron Tea (유자차 – yu-ja-cha) or Ginger Tea (생강차 – saeng-gang-cha) are common choices to combat the chill.
Customization: Requesting modifications like less sweetness (덜 달게 – deol dal-ge), soy milk (두유 – du-yu), or an extra shot (샷 추가 – syat chu-ga) is usually acceptable, particularly in larger chains. Politely asking is key.
Politeness Levels: Using formal Korean endings like `-요` (-yo) or `-ㅂ니다/습니다` (-m-ni-da / -seum-ni-da) is standard and recommended when interacting with cafe staff to show respect.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer enters a cafe on a cold winter morning, unsure of what to order.
Roles: A = Barista, B = Customer
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Expression: A: 어서 오세요. 주문하시겠어요?
Pronunciation: A: Eo-seo o-se-yo. Ju-mun-ha-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: A: Welcome. Would you like to order? -
Expression: B: 네. 뭘 마실지 고민되네요. 날씨가 너무 추워서요.
Pronunciation: B: Ne. Mwol ma-sil-ji go-min-doe-ne-yo. Nal-ssi-ga neo-mu chu-wo-seo-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes. I’m wondering what to drink. The weather is so cold. -
Expression: A: 오늘 같이 추운 아침에는 따뜻한 라떼 한 잔 어떠세요? 저희 카페 라떼가 부드럽고 고소해서 인기가 많아요.
Pronunciation: A: O-neul ga-chi chu-un a-chim-e-neun tta-tteu-tan ra-tte han jan eo-tteo-se-yo? Jeo-hui ka-pe ra-tte-ga bu-deu-reop-go go-so-hae-seo in-gi-ga ma-na-yo.
Meaning: A: On a cold morning like today, how about a warm latte? Our cafe latte is smooth and nutty (savory), so it’s very popular. -
Expression: B: 아, 라떼요? 좋네요. 그럼 따뜻한 카페 라떼 한 잔 주세요.
Pronunciation: B: A, ra-tte-yo? Jon-ne-yo. Geu-reom tta-tteu-tan ka-pe ra-tte han jan ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Oh, a latte? Sounds good. Then please give me one warm cafe latte. -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 사이즈는 어떻게 해드릴까요?
Pronunciation: A: Ne, al-ge-sseum-ni-da. Sa-i-jeu-neun eo-tteo-ke hae-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, understood. What size would you like? -
Expression: B: 중간 사이즈로 주세요.
Pronunciation: B: Jung-gan sa-i-jeu-ro ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Medium size, please. -
Expression: A: 네. 따뜻한 카페 라떼 중간 사이즈 한 잔, 맞으신가요? 여기서 드시고 가세요?
Pronunciation: A: Ne. Tta-tteu-tan ka-pe ra-tte jung-gan sa-i-jeu han jan, ma-jeu-sin-ga-yo? Yeo-gi-seo deu-si-go ga-se-yo?
Meaning: A: Okay. One medium warm cafe latte, is that correct? For here? -
Expression: B: 네, 맞아요. 여기서 마실게요.
Pronunciation: B: Ne, ma-ja-yo. Yeo-gi-seo ma-sil-ge-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, that’s right. I’ll drink it here. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 총 5,000원입니다. 진동벨 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: A: Al-ge-sseum-ni-da. Chong o-cheon-won-im-ni-da. Jin-dong-bel deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: A: Understood. The total is 5,000 won. I’ll give you a pager.
Practice Tips
Consistent practice is key to mastering these cafe expressions! Try role-playing the conversation example with a study partner or language exchange friend~. It really helps solidify the phrases in your mind!
If you have access to a Korean cafe, challenge yourself to order using the phrases you’ve learned. Start with simple orders and gradually try asking for recommendations or making customizations. Every little bit of practice counts!
Watching K-dramas or Korean vlogs often features cafe scenes. Pay close attention to how characters order, how baristas respond, and the specific vocabulary they use. It’s a fun way to pick up natural intonation and common slang too!
Don’t hesitate to use `추천해 주세요` (chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo – Please recommend something) if you’re unsure what to get. It’s a great way to practice listening and potentially discover a new favorite drink!
