
How to Say Food Service Business in Korean
Understanding the term for “food service business” is crucial when dealing with official regulations, business registration, or discussing the food industry in Korea. This guide introduces the key term 식품접객업 (sik-pum-jeop-gae-geop) and related expressions essential for navigating this sector, whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or simply interested in the Korean business landscape.
Table Of Content
Core Term
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Expression: 식품접객업
Pronunciation: sik-pum-jeop-gae-geop
Meaning: Food Service Business / Food Hospitality Business (This is a formal, often legal term encompassing various businesses serving food to customers.)
Types of Food Service Businesses
The broad category of 식품접객업 includes several types. Here are some common examples:
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Expression: 일반음식점
Pronunciation: il-ban-eum-sik-jeom
Meaning: General Restaurant (Typically allowed to sell alcohol with meals) -
Expression: 휴게음식점
Pronunciation: hyu-ge-eum-sik-jeom
Meaning: Rest Stop Restaurant / Snack Bar / Cafe (Typically not allowed to sell alcohol) -
Expression: 제과점영업
Pronunciation: je-gwa-jeom-yeong-eop
Meaning: Bakery Business -
Expression: 주점영업
Pronunciation: ju-jeom-yeong-eop
Meaning: Bar/Pub Business -
Expression: 위탁급식영업
Pronunciation: wi-tak-geup-sik-yeong-eop
Meaning: Consignment Catering Business -
Expression: 식당
Pronunciation: sik-dang
Meaning: Restaurant (General term) -
Expression: 카페
Pronunciation: ka-pe
Meaning: Cafe -
Expression: 빵집
Pronunciation: ppang-jip
Meaning: Bakery (Colloquial term) -
Expression: 술집
Pronunciation: sul-jip
Meaning: Bar / Pub (Colloquial term)
Related Business Vocabulary
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Expression: 영업 허가
Pronunciation: yeong-eop heo-ga
Meaning: Business Permit / License -
Expression: 영업 신고
Pronunciation: yeong-eop sin-go
Meaning: Business Declaration / Report -
Expression: 사업자 등록
Pronunciation: sa-eop-ja deung-rok
Meaning: Business Registration -
Expression: 위생 교육
Pronunciation: wi-saeng gyo-yuk
Meaning: Hygiene Training / Sanitation Education -
Expression: 식품위생법
Pronunciation: sik-pum-wi-saeng-beop
Meaning: Food Sanitation Act -
Expression: 점포
Pronunciation: jeom-po
Meaning: Store / Shop -
Expression: 임대차 계약
Pronunciation: im-dae-cha gye-yak
Meaning: Lease Agreement -
Expression: 권리금
Pronunciation: gwol-li-geum
Meaning: Key Money / Premium (for taking over a business location) -
Expression: 창업
Pronunciation: chang-eop
Meaning: Starting a business / Entrepreneurship -
Expression: 운영
Pronunciation: un-yeong
Meaning: Operation / Management -
Expression: 폐업
Pronunciation: pye-eop
Meaning: Closing down a business -
Expression: 세무서
Pronunciation: se-mu-seo
Meaning: Tax Office
Essential Phrases for Business Procedures
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Expression: 식품접객업 영업 허가를 신청해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: sik-pum-jeop-gae-geop yeong-eop heo-ga-reul sin-cheong-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: You need to apply for a food service business permit. -
Expression: 이 업종은 영업 신고 대상입니다.
Pronunciation: i eop-jong-eun yeong-eop sin-go dae-sang-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This type of business requires a business declaration. -
Expression: 구청 위생과에 문의하세요.
Pronunciation: gu-cheong wi-saeng-gwa-e mun-ui-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Please inquire at the district office’s sanitation department. -
Expression: 사업자 등록증을 발급받았습니다.
Pronunciation: sa-eop-ja deung-rok-jeung-eul bal-geup-ba-dat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I received the business registration certificate. -
Expression: 위생 교육 수료증이 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: wi-saeng gyo-yuk su-ryo-jeung-i pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A certificate of completion for hygiene training is required. -
Expression: 식품위생법 규정을 준수해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: sik-pum-wi-saeng-beop gyu-jeong-eul jun-su-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: You must comply with the Food Sanitation Act regulations. -
Expression: 식품접객업소의 위생 상태를 점검합니다.
Pronunciation: sik-pum-jeop-gae-geop-so-ui wi-saeng sang-tae-reul jeom-geom-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: They inspect the sanitary condition of food service establishments. -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 식품접객업을 하실 건가요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui sik-pum-jeop-gae-geop-eul ha-sil geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: What type of food service business are you planning to run? -
Expression: 카페 창업 절차를 알아보고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ka-pe chang-eop jeol-cha-reul a-ra-bo-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I am looking into the procedures for starting a cafe business. -
Expression: 식당 운영 경험이 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: sik-dang un-yeong gyeong-heom-i i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you have experience running a restaurant?
Korean Culture Notes
Strict Regulations: The Korean government enforces strict regulations under the 식품위생법 (sik-pum-wi-saeng-beop – Food Sanitation Act) for all 식품접객업. This includes regular hygiene inspections and mandatory training for owners and sometimes staff.
Permit vs. Declaration (허가 vs 신고): The type of registration required depends on the business. Generally, businesses serving alcohol like 일반음식점 (il-ban-eum-sik-jeom) require a permit (허가 – heo-ga), which is more stringent. Cafes or bakeries (휴게음식점, 제과점) often only need a declaration (신고 – sin-go), which is a simpler process. Always verify requirements with the local district office (구청 – gu-cheong).
Importance of Concept and Location: Competition in the Korean food service industry is fierce. Having a unique concept, target audience, and choosing the right location (입지 선정 – ip-ji seon-jeong) are critical factors for success.
Business Registration is Separate: Obtaining the 식품접객업 permit or declaration is just one step. You also need to complete 사업자 등록 (sa-eop-ja deung-rok – business registration) at the local tax office (세무서 – se-mu-seo).
Health Check Requirement: Employees working in food service businesses are usually required to have a health certificate (보건증 – bo-geon-jeung), obtained through a health check-up at a public health center (보건소 – bo-geon-so).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Min-jun is telling his friend Ji-hye about his plan to open a small bakery.
Roles: A: Min-jun (Aspiring baker), B: Ji-hye (Friend)
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Expression: A: 나 작은 빵집을 열려고 준비 중이야. 식품접객업 신고는 어떻게 하는 거지?
Pronunciation: na ja-geun ppang-ji-beul yeol-lyeo-go jun-bi jung-i-ya. sik-pum-jeop-gae-geop sin-go-neun eo-tteo-ke ha-neun geo-ji?
Meaning: A: I’m preparing to open a small bakery. How do I do the food service business declaration? -
Expression: B: 아, 제과점영업이면 보통 허가보다는 신고 대상일 거야. 먼저 구청 위생과에 가서 상담받아봐.
Pronunciation: a, je-gwa-jeom-yeong-eo-bi-myeon bo-tong heo-ga-bo-da-neun sin-go dae-sang-il geo-ya. meon-jeo gu-cheong wi-saeng-gwa-e ga-seo sang-dam-ba-da-bwa.
Meaning: B: Oh, if it’s a bakery business, it’s usually subject to declaration rather than a permit. First, go to the district office’s sanitation department and get a consultation. -
Expression: A: 그렇구나. 위생 교육도 미리 받아야 한다고 들었어.
Pronunciation: geu-reo-ku-na. wi-saeng gyo-yuk-do mi-ri ba-da-ya han-da-go deu-reo-sseo.
Meaning: A: I see. I also heard I need to receive hygiene training in advance. -
Expression: B: 응, 맞아. 식품위생법 관련 교육이니까 꼭 이수해야 해. 그리고 사업자 등록도 잊지 말고!
Pronunciation: eung, ma-ja. sik-pum-wi-saeng-beop gwal-lyeon gyo-yu-gi-ni-kka kkok i-su-hae-ya hae. geu-ri-go sa-eop-ja deung-rok-do it-ji mal-go!
Meaning: B: Yes, that’s right. It’s training related to the Food Sanitation Act, so you definitely have to complete it. And don’t forget the business registration either! -
Expression: A: 알려줘서 고마워. 식품접객업 관련해서 알아볼 게 정말 많네.
Pronunciation: al-lyeo-jwo-seo go-ma-wo. sik-pum-jeop-gae-geop gwal-lyeon-hae-seo a-ra-bol ge jeong-mal man-ne.
Meaning: A: Thanks for letting me know. There’s really a lot to look into regarding the food service business.
Practice Tips
Understanding the term 식품접객업 (sik-pum-jeop-gae-geop) is key if you’re involved in or learning about the food industry in Korea! Try to spot this term in official documents, news articles about food businesses, or government websites~
Practice pronouncing the core term and related vocabulary like 영업 허가 (yeong-eop heo-ga) and 위생 교육 (wi-saeng gyo-yuk). Familiarizing yourself with these expressions will greatly help you understand discussions or procedures related to opening and running a food business in Korea. Good luck with your studies!