Understanding and discussing local food is a great way to connect with Korean culture and cuisine. This guide provides essential Korean expressions related to “로컬푸드” (local food), helping you find, purchase, and talk about locally sourced ingredients and dishes during your time in Korea. Learn the key vocabulary and phrases to navigate markets and conversations about fresh, regional produce.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 로컬푸드
Pronunciation: ro-keol-pu-deu
Meaning: Local Food (This is a direct Konglish borrowing, widely understood)
Basic Phrases
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Expression: 여기 로컬푸드 파는 곳이 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi ro-keol-pu-deu pa-neun go-si it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a place that sells local food around here? -
Expression: 이 지역 특산물이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i ji-yeok teuk-san-mu-ri mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the specialty product of this region? -
Expression: 로컬푸드 직매장을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: ro-keol-pu-deu jik-mae-jang-eul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a direct sales store for local food. -
Expression: 신선한 로컬푸드를 사고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: sin-seon-han ro-keol-pu-deu-reul sa-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to buy fresh local food. -
Expression: 이것은 어디에서 생산되었나요?
Pronunciation: i-geo-seun eo-di-e-seo saeng-san-doe-eot-na-yo?
Meaning: Where was this produced? -
Expression: 제철 농산물인가요?
Pronunciation: je-cheol nong-san-mu-rin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this seasonal produce? -
Expression: 유기농 로컬푸드도 있나요?
Pronunciation: yu-gi-nong ro-keol-pu-deu-do it-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you also have organic local food? -
Expression: 로컬푸드 마켓은 언제 열어요?
Pronunciation: ro-keol-pu-deu ma-ke-seun eon-je yeo-reo-yo?
Meaning: When does the local food market open? -
Expression: 이 식당은 로컬푸드를 사용하나요?
Pronunciation: i sik-dang-eun ro-keol-pu-deu-reul sa-yong-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Does this restaurant use local food? -
Expression: 지역 농산물을 지원하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ji-yeok nong-san-mu-reul ji-won-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to support local agricultural products.
Shopping for Local Food
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Expression: 이 사과는 이 지역에서 난 건가요?
Pronunciation: i sa-gwa-neun i ji-yeok-e-seo nan geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are these apples grown in this region? -
Expression: 오늘 아침에 수확한 건가요?
Pronunciation: o-neul a-chi-me su-hwa-kan geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Was this harvested this morning? -
Expression: 생산자 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: saeng-san-ja i-reu-mi mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the producer’s name? -
Expression: 로컬푸드 인증 마크가 있나요?
Pronunciation: ro-keol-pu-deu in-jeung ma-keu-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a local food certification mark? -
Expression: 이 채소는 어떻게 먹는 게 가장 맛있어요?
Pronunciation: i chae-so-neun eo-tteo-ke meong-neun ge ga-jang ma-si-sseo-yo?
Meaning: What’s the most delicious way to eat this vegetable? -
Expression: 로컬푸드 꾸러미를 살 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ro-keol-pu-deu kku-reo-mi-reul sal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I buy a local food bundle/package? -
Expression: 가격이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: ga-gyeo-gi eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How much does it cost? -
Expression: 좀 더 신선한 걸로 주세요.
Pronunciation: jom deo sin-seon-han geol-lo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a fresher one. -
Expression: 이 지역에서만 맛볼 수 있는 건가요?
Pronunciation: i ji-yeok-e-seo-man mat-bol su it-neun geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this something you can only taste in this region? -
Expression: 포장해 주세요.
Pronunciation: po-jang-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please wrap it up / Pack it to go.
Discussing Local Food
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Expression: 로컬푸드는 신선해서 좋아요.
Pronunciation: ro-keol-pu-deu-neun sin-seon-hae-seo jo-a-yo.
Meaning: I like local food because it’s fresh. -
Expression: 지역 경제 활성화에 도움이 돼요.
Pronunciation: ji-yeok gyeong-je hwal-seong-hwa-e do-u-mi dwae-yo.
Meaning: It helps revitalize the local economy. -
Expression: 푸드 마일리지가 짧아서 환경에 좋아요.
Pronunciation: pu-deu ma-il-li-ji-ga jjal-ba-seo hwan-gyeong-e jo-a-yo.
Meaning: It’s good for the environment because the food mileage is short. -
Expression: 제철 음식을 먹는 것이 건강에 좋아요.
Pronunciation: je-cheol eum-si-geul meong-neun geo-si geon-gang-e jo-a-yo.
Meaning: Eating seasonal food is good for health. -
Expression: 이 지역 딸기가 정말 맛있어요.
Pronunciation: i ji-yeok ttal-gi-ga jeong-mal ma-si-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The strawberries from this region are really delicious. -
Expression: 생산자의 얼굴을 알 수 있어서 믿음이 가요.
Pronunciation: saeng-san-ja-ui eol-gu-reul al su i-sseo-seo mi-deu-mi ga-yo.
Meaning: I trust it more because I can know the producer’s face (identity). -
Expression: 로컬푸드를 이용한 식당을 선호해요.
Pronunciation: ro-keol-pu-deu-reul i-yong-han sik-dang-eul seon-ho-hae-yo.
Meaning: I prefer restaurants that use local food. -
Expression: 전통 시장에서 로컬푸드를 사는 것을 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: jeon-tong si-jang-e-seo ro-keol-pu-deu-reul sa-neun geo-seul jo-a-hae-yo.
Meaning: I like buying local food at traditional markets. -
Expression: 요즘 로컬푸드에 대한 관심이 높아지고 있어요.
Pronunciation: yo-jeum ro-keol-pu-deu-e dae-han gwan-si-mi no-pa-ji-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Interest in local food is increasing these days. -
Expression: 로컬푸드 운동을 지지해요.
Pronunciation: ro-keol-pu-deu un-dong-eul ji-ji-hae-yo.
Meaning: I support the local food movement.
Cultural Tips
In Korea, the concept of “로컬푸드” (ro-keol-pu-deu) aligns closely with the traditional value placed on fresh, seasonal ingredients. While the term itself is borrowed from English, the practice of consuming locally grown food is deeply ingrained.
Traditional markets, known as “시장” (si-jang) or “장터” (jang-teo), have always been hubs for local produce. Visiting these markets offers a fantastic opportunity to find regional specialties and interact directly with vendors, many of whom are local farmers or have direct connections to them.
The idea of “신토불이” (sin-to-bul-i), meaning “body and land are one,” emphasizes that food grown in one’s native soil is best for one’s body. This philosophy supports the consumption of local and seasonal foods for health and well-being.
Many regions in Korea are famous for specific agricultural products (e.g., Icheon rice, Boseong green tea, Jeju tangerines). Seeking out these “특산물” (teuk-san-mul – specialty products) is a great way to experience authentic local flavors and support regional agriculture.
Look for “로컬푸드 직매장” (ro-keol-pu-deu jik-mae-jang – local food direct sales stores). These stores specifically focus on selling products sourced from nearby farms, often providing information about the producers and ensuring freshness.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) is shopping at a local food direct sales store (로컬푸드 직매장) and talking to the vendor (B).
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 이 사과는 어디서 온 건가요?
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. i sa-gwa-neun eo-di-seo on geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: Hello. Where are these apples from? -
Expression: B: 네, 안녕하세요. 바로 옆 동네 농장에서 오늘 아침에 가져온 거예요. 아주 신선해요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. ba-ro yeop dong-ne nong-jang-e-seo o-neul a-chi-me ga-jyeo-on geo-ye-yo. a-ju sin-seon-hae-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, hello. They were brought in this morning from a farm in the next town over. They’re very fresh. -
Expression: A: 와, 정말 신선해 보이네요! 로컬푸드라서 더 믿음이 가요. 이 지역 특산물인가요?
Pronunciation: A: wa, jeong-mal sin-seon-hae bo-i-ne-yo! ro-keol-pu-deu-ra-seo deo mi-deu-mi ga-yo. i ji-yeok teuk-san-mu-rin-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: Wow, they look really fresh! I trust them more because they’re local food. Is this a regional specialty? -
Expression: B: 네, 맞아요. 이 지역 사과가 당도가 높기로 유명해요. 한번 맛보세요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, ma-ja-yo. i ji-yeok sa-gwa-ga dang-do-ga nop-gi-ro yu-myeong-hae-yo. han-beon mat-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, that’s right. Apples from this region are famous for being very sweet. Try one. -
Expression: A: 감사합니다. 그럼 이 사과 한 봉지 주세요.
Pronunciation: A: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. geu-reom i sa-gwa han bong-ji ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A: Thank you. Then please give me one bag of these apples. -
Expression: B: 네, 여기 있습니다. 5천원입니다. 로컬푸드를 이용해 주셔서 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: B: ne, yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da. o-cheon-won-im-ni-da. ro-keol-pu-deu-reul i-yong-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: B: Yes, here you go. It’s 5,000 won. Thank you for using local food!
Practice Tips
Now you have a good collection of phrases related to local food in Korean! The best way to master them is through practice~ Try visiting a local market or a 로컬푸드 직매장 (ro-keol-pu-deu jik-mae-jang) if you’re in Korea. Don’t be shy to ask vendors where the produce comes from using “이것은 어디에서 생산되었나요?” (i-geo-seun eo-di-e-seo saeng-san-doe-eot-na-yo?).
You can also practice by talking about your food preferences with Korean friends. Use phrases like “저는 로컬푸드를 선호해요” (jeo-neun ro-keol-pu-deu-reul seon-ho-hae-yo) to express your preference for local food. Discussing the benefits, like freshness or supporting the local economy, will also help reinforce the vocabulary. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be comfortably discussing local food in Korean!
