Sharing the joy of cooking and eating is a wonderful way to connect, and knowing how to discuss recipes in Korean opens up new culinary conversations. This guide provides essential vocabulary and phrases for sharing your favorite Korean food recipes, asking for tips, and describing the delicious results. Learn how to explain cooking steps, talk about ingredients, and understand cultural nuances related to Korean cuisine.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 한국 음식 레시피 공유하기
Pronunciation: han-guk eum-sik re-si-pi gong-yu-ha-gi
Meaning: Sharing Korean food recipes
Basic Vocabulary for Cooking
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Expression: 재료
Pronunciation: jae-ryo
Meaning: Ingredients -
Expression: 레시피 / 조리법
Pronunciation: re-si-pi / jo-ri-beop
Meaning: Recipe -
Expression: 썰다
Pronunciation: sseol-da
Meaning: To chop / slice -
Expression: 끓이다
Pronunciation: kkeu-ri-da
Meaning: To boil -
Expression: 볶다
Pronunciation: bokk-da
Meaning: To stir-fry -
Expression: 굽다
Pronunciation: gup-da
Meaning: To grill / bake / roast -
Expression: 튀기다
Pronunciation: twi-gi-da
Meaning: To deep-fry -
Expression: 섞다 / 비비다
Pronunciation: seokk-da / bi-bi-da
Meaning: To mix -
Expression: 양념
Pronunciation: yang-nyeom
Meaning: Seasoning / sauce -
Expression: 넣다
Pronunciation: neo-ta
Meaning: To put in / add -
Expression: 맛보다
Pronunciation: mat-bo-da
Meaning: To taste -
Expression: 조리 시간
Pronunciation: jo-ri si-gan
Meaning: Cooking time
Asking About Recipes
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Expression: 이 요리 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i yo-ri i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of this dish? -
Expression: 이거 어떻게 만들었어요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eo-tteo-ke man-deu-reot-seo-yo?
Meaning: How did you make this? -
Expression: 레시피 좀 알려줄 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: re-si-pi jom al-lyeo-jul su it-seo-yo?
Meaning: Can you tell me the recipe? -
Expression: 어떤 재료가 필요해요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jae-ryo-ga pil-yo-hae-yo?
Meaning: What ingredients are needed? -
Expression: 만들기 어려워요?
Pronunciation: man-deul-gi eo-ryeo-wo-yo?
Meaning: Is it difficult to make? -
Expression: 조리 시간이 얼마나 걸려요?
Pronunciation: jo-ri si-gan-i eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?
Meaning: How long does the cooking take? -
Expression: 특별한 비법 있어요?
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-han bi-beop it-seo-yo?
Meaning: Is there a special secret method/tip? -
Expression: 이 소스는 어떻게 만들어요?
Pronunciation: i so-seu-neun eo-tteo-ke man-deu-reo-yo?
Meaning: How do you make this sauce? -
Expression: 어디서 재료를 살 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-seo jae-ryo-reul sal su it-seo-yo?
Meaning: Where can I buy the ingredients? -
Expression: 혹시 레시피 적어줄 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: hok-si re-si-pi jeo-geo-jul su it-seo-yo?
Meaning: Could you possibly write down the recipe for me? -
Expression: 이 맛의 비결이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i mat-ui bi-gyeol-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What’s the secret to this flavor?
Sharing Your Recipe
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Expression: 먼저, 재료를 준비하세요.
Pronunciation: meon-jeo, jae-ryo-reul jun-bi-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: First, prepare the ingredients. -
Expression: 채소를 깨끗이 씻으세요.
Pronunciation: chae-so-reul kkae-kkeu-si ssi-seu-se-yo.
Meaning: Wash the vegetables thoroughly. -
Expression: 고기를 얇게 써세요.
Pronunciation: go-gi-reul yal-ge sseo-se-yo.
Meaning: Slice the meat thinly. -
Expression: 냄비에 물을 넣고 끓이세요.
Pronunciation: naem-bi-e mul-eul neo-ko kkeu-ri-se-yo.
Meaning: Put water in the pot and bring it to a boil. -
Expression: 팬에 기름을 두르고 볶으세요.
Pronunciation: paen-e gi-reum-eul du-reu-go bok-keu-se-yo.
Meaning: Add oil to the pan and stir-fry. -
Expression: 모든 재료를 넣고 잘 섞어주세요.
Pronunciation: mo-deun jae-ryo-reul neo-ko jal seok-keo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Add all the ingredients and mix well. -
Expression: 약한 불에서 10분 동안 끓이세요.
Pronunciation: yak-han bul-e-seo sip-bun dong-an kkeu-ri-se-yo.
Meaning: Simmer on low heat for 10 minutes. -
Expression: 간장, 설탕, 마늘로 양념하세요.
Pronunciation: gan-jang, seol-tang, ma-neul-lo yang-nyeom-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Season with soy sauce, sugar, and garlic. -
Expression: 맛을 보고 소금으로 간을 맞추세요.
Pronunciation: mat-eul bo-go so-geum-eu-ro gan-eul mat-chu-se-yo.
Meaning: Taste it and adjust the seasoning with salt. -
Expression: 다 됐어요! 맛있게 드세요.
Pronunciation: da dwaet-seo-yo! ma-sit-ge deu-se-yo.
Meaning: It’s all done! Enjoy your meal. -
Expression: 이 레시피는 정말 간단해요.
Pronunciation: i re-si-pi-neun jeong-mal gan-dan-hae-yo.
Meaning: This recipe is really simple. -
Expression: 제 비법은 신선한 재료를 쓰는 거예요.
Pronunciation: je bi-beop-eun sin-seon-han jae-ryo-reul sseu-neun geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: My secret is using fresh ingredients.
Describing Food Taste and Texture
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Expression: 맛있어요!
Pronunciation: ma-sit-seo-yo!
Meaning: It’s delicious! -
Expression: 정말 맛있네요!
Pronunciation: jeong-mal ma-sin-ne-yo!
Meaning: It’s really delicious! -
Expression: 맛이 어때요?
Pronunciation: mat-i eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: How does it taste? -
Expression: 달콤해요.
Pronunciation: dal-kom-hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s sweet. -
Expression: 짜요.
Pronunciation: jja-yo.
Meaning: It’s salty. -
Expression: 매워요.
Pronunciation: mae-wo-yo.
Meaning: It’s spicy. -
Expression: 셔요.
Pronunciation: syeo-yo.
Meaning: It’s sour. -
Expression: 싱거워요.
Pronunciation: sing-geo-wo-yo.
Meaning: It’s bland. -
Expression: 고소해요.
Pronunciation: go-so-hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s savory / nutty. -
Expression: 바삭바삭해요.
Pronunciation: ba-sak-ba-sa-kae-yo.
Meaning: It’s crispy. -
Expression: 부드러워요.
Pronunciation: bu-deu-reo-wo-yo.
Meaning: It’s soft / tender. -
Expression: 쫄깃쫄깃해요.
Pronunciation: jjol-git-jjol-gi-tae-yo.
Meaning: It’s chewy.
Korean Culture Notes
Sharing is Caring: In Korea, sharing food is a fundamental part of social interaction and showing affection. Offering to share a recipe is often seen as a friendly and generous gesture.
“Son-mat” (손맛): This literally means “hand taste” and refers to the unique, delicious flavor that comes from someone’s skillful cooking, often associated with experienced home cooks like mothers or grandmothers. Complimenting someone’s “son-mat” is a high praise.
Importance of Banchan (반찬): Korean meals almost always include various side dishes (banchan). When sharing a main dish recipe, people might also ask about complementary banchan recipes.
Adapting Recipes: Don’t be afraid to ask if a recipe can be adapted (e.g., made less spicy, vegetarian). Korean cooks often adjust recipes based on available ingredients or personal preference.
Key Ingredients: Many Korean recipes rely on core fermented ingredients like Gochujang (고추장 – chili paste), Doenjang (된장 – soybean paste), and Ganjang (간장 – soy sauce). Understanding their basic flavors is key to Korean cooking.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Friend B tastes a delicious Kimchi Jjigae (김치찌개) made by Friend A and asks for the recipe.
Roles:
A: The cook who made the Kimchi Jjigae
B: The friend enjoying the dish
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Expression: B: 와, 이 김치찌개 정말 맛있다! 이거 어떻게 만들었어?
Pronunciation: B: wa, i gim-chi-jji-gae jeong-mal ma-sit-da! i-geo eo-tteo-ke man-deu-reot-seo?
Meaning: B: Wow, this Kimchi Jjigae is really delicious! How did you make this? -
Expression: A: 고마워! 생각보다 간단해. 레시피 알려줄까?
Pronunciation: A: go-ma-wo! saeng-gak-bo-da gan-dan-hae. re-si-pi al-lyeo-jul-kka?
Meaning: A: Thanks! It’s simpler than you think. Shall I tell you the recipe? -
Expression: B: 응! 꼭 배우고 싶어. 어떤 재료가 필요해?
Pronunciation: B: eung! kkok bae-u-go si-peo. eo-tteon jae-ryo-ga pil-yo-hae?
Meaning: B: Yes! I definitely want to learn. What ingredients are needed? -
Expression: A: 잘 익은 김치랑 돼지고기, 두부, 양파, 파가 기본이야. 그리고 고춧가루랑 마늘도 좀 넣고.
Pronunciation: A: jal ik-eun gim-chi-rang dwae-ji-go-gi, du-bu, yang-pa, pa-ga gi-bon-i-ya. geu-ri-go go-chu-kka-ru-rang ma-neul-do jom neo-ko.
Meaning: A: Well-fermented kimchi, pork, tofu, onion, and green onion are basic. And add some chili powder and garlic too. -
Expression: B: 그렇구나. 특별한 비법 같은 거 있어? 네 김치찌개는 맛이 깊어.
Pronunciation: B: geu-reo-ku-na. teuk-byeol-han bi-beop ga-teun geo it-seo? ne gim-chi-jji-gae-neun mat-i gi-peo.
Meaning: B: I see. Is there any special secret method? Your Kimchi Jjigae has a deep flavor. -
Expression: A: 하하, 비법이라기보다는 김치를 돼지고기랑 먼저 충분히 볶아주는 게 중요해. 그리고 육수를 쓰면 더 좋고.
Pronunciation: A: ha-ha, bi-beop-i-ra-gi-bo-da-neun gim-chi-reul dwae-ji-go-gi-rang meon-jeo chung-bun-hi bok-ka-ju-neun ge jung-yo-hae. geu-ri-go yuk-su-reul sseu-myeon deo jo-ko.
Meaning: A: Haha, rather than a secret, it’s important to stir-fry the kimchi with the pork sufficiently first. And it’s better if you use broth. -
Expression: B: 아하! 먼저 볶는 거구나. 고마워, 나도 한번 만들어 볼게!
Pronunciation: B: a-ha! meon-jeo bok-neun geo-gu-na. go-ma-wo, na-do han-beon man-deu-reo bol-ge!
Meaning: B: Aha! Stir-frying first. Thanks, I’ll try making it sometime too!
Practice Tips
Ready to share your culinary skills in Korean? Start small! Try explaining a simple recipe you know well, like how to make scrambled eggs or a basic salad, using the Korean verbs and sequencing words you learned~!
Listen to Korean cooking shows or watch recipe videos online (you can search for “요리 레시피” – yo-ri re-si-pi). Pay attention to the verbs and descriptions they use. Don’t worry about understanding everything at first; just try to pick out familiar words!
If you have Korean friends, ask them about their favorite home-cooked meals and maybe even ask for a simple recipe! It’s a great way to practice asking questions and learn more about Korean food culture. 맛있게 요리하고 재미있게 공유하세요~! (Cook deliciously and share enjoyably!)
