1. Minimum servings
Korean BBQ, braised dishes, and hot pots are often sold per person with a two-serving minimum (2인분 이상). Solo travelers should look for 1인 or ask before sitting down.
🇰🇷 Country menu guide
How to read a Korean menu and order food in Korea
Korean menus are usually written only in Hangul, often on the wall, with prices per serving. Once you know a few rules — minimum servings, free side dishes, and the call bell — ordering gets easy.
How ordering works in South Korea
2. Free side dishes
Small side dishes (banchan) such as kimchi come free with most meals, and refills are usually free too. Water and extra banchan are often self-service (셀프).
3. Calling staff
Press the bell on the table or say “jeogiyo” (저기요). More restaurants now use tablet or kiosk ordering, which may be Korean only.
4. Paying
Pay at the counter by the exit. Cards are widely accepted and tipping is not expected.
Words you will see on a Korean menu
| On the menu | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1인분 | il-inbun | One serving (per person) |
| 2인분 이상 | i-inbun isang | Minimum two servings |
| 공기밥 | gonggi-bap | Bowl of rice, often ordered separately |
| 반찬 | banchan | Free side dishes |
| 셀프 | selpeu | Self-service (water, refills) |
| 사리 | sari | Extra noodles or add-ins for a stew |
| 곱빼기 | gopbaegi | Large portion |
| 정식 | jeongsik | Set meal |
| 순한맛 / 매운맛 | sunhan-mat / maeun-mat | Mild / spicy |
| 시가 | siga | Market price, ask before ordering |
| 원산지 | wonsanji | Country of origin label for meat and rice |
| 포장 | pojang | Takeout |
Dishes you will often see
삼겹살
samgyeopsal
Grilled pork belly you cook at the table, wrapped in lettuce
불고기
bulgogi
Thin-sliced beef marinated in sweet soy sauce
비빔밥
bibimbap
Rice with vegetables, egg, and chili paste to mix
김치찌개
kimchi-jjigae
Spicy kimchi stew, often with pork or tuna
순두부찌개
sundubu-jjigae
Spicy soft-tofu stew, often with seafood and egg
된장찌개
doenjang-jjigae
Soybean-paste stew, often with anchovy broth
냉면
naengmyeon
Cold buckwheat noodles in beef broth or with chili sauce
떡볶이
tteokbokki
Rice cakes in sweet-spicy chili sauce, often with fish cake
김밥
gimbap
Seaweed rice rolls with egg, vegetables, and ham or fish cake
해물파전
haemul-pajeon
Savory scallion pancake with seafood
삼계탕
samgyetang
Whole young chicken soup with ginseng and rice
치킨
chikin
Korean fried chicken, plain or with sweet-spicy glaze
Phrases to show restaurant staff
Show these on your screen. The written Korean is more reliable than pronunciation.
이거 주세요.
Igeo juseyo.
This one, please.
이거 2인분 주세요.
Igeo i-inbun juseyo.
Two servings of this, please.
1인분도 주문할 수 있어요?
Il-inbun-do jumunhal su isseoyo?
Can I order just one serving?
덜 맵게 해 주세요.
Deol maepge hae juseyo.
Less spicy, please.
카드 결제 되나요?
Kadeu gyeolje doenayo?
Can I pay by card?
계산해 주세요.
Gyesanhae juseyo.
The bill, please.
Common questions
Can I eat Korean BBQ alone?
Many BBQ restaurants require at least two servings. Look for places marked 1인 or 혼밥 (solo dining), or ask “Il-inbun-do jumunhal su isseoyo?” before you sit down.
Are side dishes free in Korea?
Yes. Banchan come free with most meals and refills are usually free. Some restaurants have a self-service banchan corner.
Do people tip in Korea?
No. Tipping is not expected at Korean restaurants.