Korean Food: BBQ to Street Snacks
Korean food has taken the world by storm, from kimchi and bibimbap to the sizzling tables of Korean BBQ restaurants. Learning food vocabulary in Korean is essential for navigating restaurants in Seoul, understanding K-drama dining scenes, and exploring the incredible world of Korean street food. This guide covers BBQ meats, banchan, street food, and key ordering phrases in Hangul.
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Korean BBQ — 한국 바비큐 (Hanguk Babikyu)
Korean BBQ (고기구이, gogigui) is more than a meal — it is a social experience. Meat is grilled at the table and wrapped in lettuce leaves with garlic, ssamjang, and other condiments. These are the essential meat terms you need to know.
At Korean BBQ, the youngest person at the table traditionally pours drinks for the elders. When receiving a drink from an elder, hold your glass with both hands. When pouring for an elder, support your pouring arm with your other hand. These are important etiquette rules.
Side Dishes — 반찬 (Banchan)
No Korean meal is complete without banchan, the small shared side dishes that accompany every meal. These are always free and refillable at restaurants in Korea.
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Street Food — 길거리 음식 (Gilgeori Eumsik)
Korean street food is legendary. Night markets and pojangmacha (포장마차, street food tents) offer an incredible variety of snacks and meals. These are the must-know items.
Korean street food is incredibly affordable. At most markets, you can get a plate of tteokbokki for around 3,000-4,000 won (about $2-3 USD). Look for the longest lines — locals always know the best stalls.
Essential Dining Phrases
These phrases will help you navigate any Korean restaurant or food stall:
- 잘 먹겠습니다 (jal meokgesseumnida) — Said before eating (I will eat well)
- 잘 먹었습니다 (jal meogeosseumnida) — Said after eating (I ate well)
- 메뉴판 주세요 (menyupan juseyo) — Menu, please
- 계산서 주세요 (gyesanseo juseyo) — The bill, please
- 맵지 않게 해주세요 (maepji anke haejuseyo) — Please make it not spicy
- 맛있어요! (masisseoyo!) — It's delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you order food in Korean?
The most common pattern is [dish name] + 주세요 (juseyo), which means "please give me." For example: 불고기 주세요 (bulgogi juseyo) means "Bulgogi, please." To specify quantity, add a number with the counter 개 (gae) or 인분 (inbun, for servings): 삼겹살 이인분 주세요 (samgyeopsal iinbun juseyo) means "Two servings of pork belly, please."
What is banchan and do you have to pay for it?
반찬 (banchan) refers to the small side dishes served with every Korean meal. These typically include kimchi, pickled vegetables, seasoned spinach, and more. In Korea, banchan is free and refillable. You can ask for more by saying 반찬 더 주세요 (banchan deo juseyo, "More side dishes, please").
What does Korean BBQ ordering look like?
At a Korean BBQ restaurant, you order meat by 인분 (inbun, servings). Most places require a minimum of two servings. You say the meat name followed by the number of servings: 삼겹살 이인분 주세요 (two servings of pork belly, please). The staff will bring the raw meat, and you grill it yourself at the table.
What are the most common Korean drinking food terms?
Food eaten with alcohol is called 안주 (anju). Popular anju includes 치킨 (chicken), 오징어 (dried squid), 두부김치 (tofu with kimchi), and 감자튀김 (French fries). The phrase 치맥 (chimaek) combines 치킨 (chicken) and 맥주 (beer) and refers to the beloved combo of fried chicken and beer.