Exploring Korean cuisine often involves finding those special restaurants known for their exceptional taste, locally referred to as ‘맛집’ (matjip). This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases to help you discover, discuss, and enjoy these highly-regarded eateries during your time in Korea. Learn how to ask for recommendations, describe delicious food, and navigate dining experiences like a local.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 맛집
Pronunciation: mat-jip
Meaning: Delicious restaurant; a restaurant famous for its tasty food (literally ‘taste house’).
Finding a Matjip
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Expression: 이 근처에 맛집 있어요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e mat-jip iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Are there any delicious restaurants around here? -
Expression: 맛집 좀 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: mat-jip jom chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend a good restaurant. -
Expression: 여기 뭐가 맛있어요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi mwo-ga mas-iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: What’s delicious here? / What’s good here? -
Expression: 현지인 맛집 가고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: hyeon-ji-in mat-jip ga-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to go to a restaurant popular with locals. -
Expression: 인터넷에서 맛집을 검색했어요.
Pronunciation: in-teo-nes-e-seo mat-jib-eul geom-saek-haess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I searched for delicious restaurants online. -
Expression: 이 식당이 유명한 맛집이에요?
Pronunciation: i sik-dang-i yu-myeong-han mat-jib-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Is this restaurant a famous ‘matjip’? -
Expression: 줄 서서 먹는 맛집이에요.
Pronunciation: jul seo-seo meok-neun mat-jib-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s a ‘matjip’ where people line up to eat. -
Expression: 숨은 맛집을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: sum-eun mat-jib-eul chat-go iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a hidden gem (hidden delicious restaurant). -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 맛집을 찾으세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui mat-jib-eul cha-jeu-se-yo?
Meaning: What kind of ‘matjip’ are you looking for? -
Expression: 친구가 추천해 준 맛집이에요.
Pronunciation: chin-gu-ga chu-cheon-hae jun mat-jib-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s a ‘matjip’ recommended by a friend. -
Expression: 가격 착한 맛집 어디 없나요?
Pronunciation: ga-gyeok chak-han mat-jip eo-di eop-na-yo?
Meaning: Aren’t there any affordable ‘matjips’ around? -
Expression: 분위기 좋은 맛집을 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: bun-wi-gi jo-eun mat-jib-eul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me about a ‘matjip’ with a good atmosphere.
Describing a Matjip
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Expression: 여기 진짜 맛집이네요!
Pronunciation: yeo-gi jin-jja mat-jib-i-ne-yo!
Meaning: This place is really a ‘matjip’! -
Expression: 음식이 정말 맛있어요.
Pronunciation: eum-sig-i jeong-mal mas-iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The food is really delicious. -
Expression: 왜 맛집인지 알겠어요.
Pronunciation: wae mat-jib-in-ji al-gess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I understand why it’s called a ‘matjip’. -
Expression: 분위기도 좋고 맛도 좋아요.
Pronunciation: bun-wi-gi-do jo-ko mat-do jo-a-yo.
Meaning: The atmosphere is good and the taste is good too. -
Expression: 재료가 신선한 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: jae-ryo-ga sin-seon-han geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: It seems like the ingredients are fresh. -
Expression: 이 집만의 특별한 맛이 있어요.
Pronunciation: i jip-man-ui teuk-byeol-han mas-i iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: This place has its own special taste. -
Expression: 다음에 또 오고 싶은 맛집이에요.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e tto o-go sip-eun mat-jib-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s a ‘matjip’ I want to come back to again. -
Expression: 가격 대비 정말 만족스러워요.
Pronunciation: ga-gyeok dae-bi jeong-mal man-jok-seu-reo-wo-yo.
Meaning: It’s really satisfying for the price. -
Expression: 서비스도 훌륭해요.
Pronunciation: seo-bi-seu-do hul-lyung-hae-yo.
Meaning: The service is excellent too. -
Expression: 사람들이 왜 추천하는지 알겠어요.
Pronunciation: sa-ram-deul-i wae chu-cheon-ha-neun-ji al-gess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I understand why people recommend it. -
Expression: 모든 메뉴가 다 맛있을 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: mo-deun me-nyu-ga da mas-iss-eul geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think all the menu items will be delicious. -
Expression: 여긴 정말 인정하는 맛집!
Pronunciation: yeo-gin jeong-mal in-jeong-ha-neun mat-jip!
Meaning: This is a truly acknowledged ‘matjip’!
Expressions for Dining at a Matjip
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Expression: 여기 대표 메뉴가 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi dae-pyo me-nyu-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the signature dish here? -
Expression: 제일 인기 있는 메뉴로 주세요.
Pronunciation: je-il in-gi iss-neun me-nyu-ro ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the most popular menu item. -
Expression: 이거 하나 더 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geo ha-na deo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me one more of this. -
Expression: 너무 맛있어서 다 먹었어요.
Pronunciation: neo-mu mas-iss-eo-seo da meog-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: It was so delicious, I ate it all. -
Expression: 포장 되나요?
Pronunciation: po-jang doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is takeout available? -
Expression: 예약해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: ye-yak-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to make a reservation? -
Expression: 몇 시까지 영업해요?
Pronunciation: myeot si-kka-ji yeong-eop-hae-yo?
Meaning: Until what time are you open? -
Expression: 계산해 주세요.
Pronunciation: gye-san-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the bill. / Check, please. -
Expression: 정말 잘 먹었습니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal jal meog-eoss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I really enjoyed the meal. (Polite expression after eating) -
Expression: 이 집 단골 될 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: i jip dan-gol doel geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think I’ll become a regular at this place. -
Expression: 친구들에게도 추천해야겠어요.
Pronunciation: chin-gu-deul-e-ge-do chu-cheon-hae-ya-gess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I should recommend this place to my friends too. -
Expression: 다음에는 다른 메뉴도 먹어봐야겠어요.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e-neun da-reun me-nyu-do meog-eo-bwa-ya-gess-eo-yo.
Meaning: Next time, I should try other menu items too.
Korean Culture Notes
The Concept of ‘Matjip’: ‘맛집’ (matjip) isn’t just any restaurant; it signifies a place widely recognized for its delicious food, often specializing in a particular dish or type of cuisine. Koreans actively seek out and share information about ‘matjips’ through word-of-mouth, blogs, and social media.
Waiting Lines: It’s common to see long queues outside popular ‘matjips’, especially during peak meal times. Waiting in line is often seen as part of the experience and a testament to the restaurant’s quality.
Local vs. Franchise: While large franchise restaurants exist, many beloved ‘matjips’ are smaller, independently owned establishments, sometimes run by the same family for generations. These often offer a more unique and authentic taste.
Sharing is Caring: Korean dining culture often involves ordering several main dishes to share among the group, rather than individual plates. This allows everyone to sample a variety of flavors, especially fitting when visiting a ‘matjip’ known for multiple specialties.
Importance of Reviews: Online reviews and food blogs play a significant role in identifying ‘matjips’. Platforms like Naver Blog, Instagram, and MangoPlate are popular resources for finding recommendations and seeing real customer photos and feedback.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minjun (A) and Sarah (B), are looking for a place to have dinner in a neighborhood known for good food.
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Expression: A: 배고프다. 이 근처에 맛집 없어?
Pronunciation: A: bae-go-peu-da. i geun-cheo-e mat-jip eops-eo?
Meaning: A: I’m hungry. Aren’t there any good restaurants around here? -
Expression: B: 글쎄, 내가 검색해 볼게. 아! 여기 평점 좋은 김치찌개 맛집이 있네.
Pronunciation: B: geul-sse, nae-ga geom-saek-hae bol-ge. a! yeo-gi pyeong-jeom jo-eun gim-chi-jji-gae mat-jib-i in-ne.
Meaning: B: Hmm, let me search. Ah! There’s a highly-rated Kimchi Jjigae ‘matjip’ here. -
Expression: A: 김치찌개? 좋아! 사람들이 줄 서서 먹는 곳이야?
Pronunciation: A: gim-chi-jji-gae? jo-a! sa-ram-deul-i jul seo-seo meok-neun gos-i-ya?
Meaning: A: Kimchi Jjigae? Sounds good! Is it a place where people line up to eat? -
Expression: B: 리뷰 보니까 그렇대. 진짜 맛집인가 봐. 가볼까?
Pronunciation: B: ri-byu bo-ni-kka geu-reot-dae. jin-jja mat-jib-in-ga bwa. ga-bol-kka?
Meaning: B: According to the reviews, yes. It seems like a real ‘matjip’. Shall we go? -
Expression: A: 그래! 맛집이라니 기대된다. 빨리 가자!
Pronunciation: A: geu-rae! mat-jib-i-ra-ni gi-dae-doen-da. ppal-li ga-ja!
Meaning: A: Okay! I’m excited since it’s a ‘matjip’. Let’s go quickly!
Practice Tips
Finding and enjoying a ‘맛집’ is a key part of experiencing Korean food culture! Try using phrases like 이 근처에 맛집 있어요? (i geun-cheo-e mat-jip iss-eo-yo?) when exploring a new area. When you find a great spot, don’t hesitate to exclaim 여기 진짜 맛집이네요! (yeo-gi jin-jja mat-jib-i-ne-yo!)~ Practice asking for recommendations and describing your delicious meals. The more you use these expressions, the more comfortable you’ll become navigating Korea’s fantastic food scene. Enjoy your culinary adventures!
