According to the new “Sparkling Korea!” television commercial, foreigners from around the world come here to sample Korea’s delicious, exotic cuisine (and to throw snow at each other in front of Kyeung Bok Geung palace). Here is a little help for those of you with no snow, but a love for good food.
However, cultural differences may force you to expand your Korean lexicon. Fear not though.
For if I have learned anything from watching Korean TV over the past eight
years it has been that the officially accepted sign for delicious (whether your mouth is full or not) is the thumbs up.
Some phrases you might need:
I’ll have this: Ee-gut choam chew-say-yo. 이것 좀 주세요.
Is this really spicy? Ee-gut no-mu may-whoa-yo? 이것 너무 매워요?
What time do you close? Myut she moon dot-dah-yo? 몇 시에 문 닫아요?
Where’s the restroom? Hwa-jang sheel audi ee-soy-yo? 화장실 어디 있어요?
May I have some water, please? Mool choam chew-sa-yo. 물 좀 주세요.
May I have another water, please? Mool hah-nah daw chew-say-yo. 물 하나 더 주세요.
It’s summer. Why is my water so hot? Chee-gum yaw-reum ee-ay-yo.
Way mool-ee no-mu doo-gaw-wah-yo? 여름 이예요. 왜 물이 너무 뜨거워요?
Can I get the check? Gay-sahn hay chew-say-yo. 계산 해 주세요.
Some phrases you may never need:
Can I have some kimchi with this? Kimchi choam chew-say-yo. 김치 좀 주세요.
Are you staring at me? Nah-lull boam-nee-kah? 나를 봅니까?
Would you like to practice your English with me? Nah-rrang young-oh hway-hwa yon-suep ha-sheel-lay-yo? 나랑 영어 회화 연습 하시래요?
Is there a fine for spitting on the street? Geel-ay-saw chim beta-myun bol-geum ee-saw-yo?
길에서 침 뺕으면 벌금 있어요?
I prefer toilet paper to napkins on the table, please: Nah-neun hyoo-jee-lull napkin bo-dah daw-cho-wah-hay-yo. 나는 휴지를 냅킨 보다 더 좋아해요.
Is this loud guy next to me drunk? Jaw sheek-ah-roh-oon nahm-jah sool- chee-hess-soy-yo?
저 시끄러운 남자 술 취했어요?
Excuse me. She-lay ham-nee-dah 실례합니다
No please I insist that you take this seat. Ee chwa-suck-ay ahn-juh-say-yo. 이좌석에 앉으세요
Bon A petit! Mah-she-gay due-sa-yo! 맛 있게 두세요
So, while you enjoy your time in Korea, make the most of your Korean Dining experience. ~ Gus
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