Korean menu & restaurant ordering guide

Meat dishes

Beef bulgogi

Thinly sliced, seasoned beef; versions range from juicy pan-cooked meat to a drier finish.

Meat dishes

Braised beef short ribs

Beef short ribs braised in a seasoned liquid, rather than grilled galbi.

Meat dishes

Pork bulgogi

Seasoned pork, with either soy-based or chili-based versions. Check the menu before assuming the heat level.

Meat dishes

Dakgalbi · stir-fried chicken

Seasoned chicken stir-fried with vegetables. Despite galbi in the name, this is a chicken dish.

Meat dishes

Jjimdak · braised chicken

Chicken braised with vegetables in a seasoned sauce. A brown sauce does not guarantee a mild dish.

Soups

Samgyetang · ginseng chicken soup

Chicken soup prepared with ingredients such as rice and ginseng. Fillings and presentation vary by restaurant.

Soups

Dak-gomtang · chicken soup

A chicken-based soup. It is distinct from beef gomtang and seolleongtang.

Soups

Galbitang · beef rib soup

A beef short-rib soup. Check the full name for spicy or specially seasoned versions.

Soups

Gamjatang · pork bone soup

A pork-bone soup, not a vegetarian potato soup despite gamja in the name.

Soups

Yukgaejang · spicy beef soup

A spicy beef-and-vegetable soup, distinct from chicken-based dakgaejang.

Stews

Pork kimchi jjigae

Kimchi stew with pork; specify the version rather than assuming all kimchi stews use the same protein.

Stews

Doenjang jjigae · soybean paste stew

A stew seasoned with fermented soybean paste. Visible tofu and vegetables do not establish a vegetarian broth.

Stews

Sundubu jjigae · soft tofu stew

A stew made with soft tofu. Ask whether seafood, meat or egg is included.

Stews

Budae jjigae

A stew often featuring processed meats. Check what comes in the base order and what is an extra add-on.

Rice dishes

Bibimbap · mixed rice

Rice mixed with assorted toppings. Sauce, meat and egg vary by restaurant.

Rice dishes

Kimchi fried rice

Rice stir-fried with kimchi. Check additions such as ham, pork and egg before ordering.

Rice dishes

Gimbap · seaweed rice rolls

Rice and fillings rolled in seaweed, then sliced. Named versions indicate different fillings.

Noodles

Japchae · glass noodles

Glass noodles mixed with vegetables and seasoning. Check the meat and portion size for the version you order.

Rice-cake dishes

Tteokbokki · rice cakes in sauce

Rice cakes cooked in sauce. Ask about fish cakes, add-ons and whether the heat can be adjusted.

Rice-cake dishes

Gungjung tteokbokki · soy-seasoned rice cakes

A soy-seasoned rice-cake dish, different from red chili tteokbokki; it may contain meat.

Soups

Tteok mandu guk · rice cake and dumpling soup

Soup with rice cakes and dumplings. Both the filling and broth ingredients need checking.

Noodles

Dak kalguksu · chicken noodle soup

A chicken-based version of knife-cut noodle soup. Kalguksu by itself does not specify one universal broth.

Noodles

Sujebi · hand-torn dough soup

Hand-torn dough pieces in soup, with broth and flavor varying across seafood, perilla and other versions.

Noodles

Bibim guksu · mixed noodles

Noodles mixed with a dressing rather than served as a broth soup. Check temperature, heat and toppings.

Noodles

Janchi guksu · noodles in broth

Thin noodles in broth with toppings. Check both the broth and any separate seasoning sauce.

Soups

Tteokguk · sliced rice cake soup

Soup with sliced rice cakes. Broth and garnishes vary, so a pale broth does not identify every ingredient.

Savory pancakes

Kimchijeon · kimchi pancake

A savory kimchi pancake. Check the kimchi ingredients as well as batter and any added seafood.

Savory pancakes

Pajeon · scallion pancake

A scallion pancake; names such as haemul-pajeon indicate seafood additions.

Side dishes

Gyeran jjim · soft cooked eggs

A soft cooked egg dish. Broth or salted shrimp seasoning may matter as much as the eggs themselves.

Side dishes

Dubu jorim · braised tofu

Tofu braised in seasoning sauce. Ask separately about chili and animal-derived sauce ingredients.

Restaurant ordering guides

Your first order at a Korean restaurant

Check the seating or waiting instructions before choosing a table.

Restaurant ordering guides

Korean BBQ portions and minimum orders

A listed serving is not a promise that it will fill one person.

Restaurant ordering guides

How to ask for less spicy Korean food

Ask whether the seasoning is premixed and whether heat can be adjusted.

Restaurant ordering guides

Vegetarian orders: ask about broth and sauces

Vegetable or tofu dishes may still contain meat broth, fish sauce or toppings.

Restaurant ordering guides

Questions to ask about food allergens

The shrimp phrase below is an example; show your own exact allergen.

Restaurant ordering guides

Asking for banchan refills and self-service

Ask whether refills are available and whether there is a self-service station.

Restaurant ordering guides

Solo dining and single-person orders

Ask whether solo dining is available before choosing your meal.

Restaurant ordering guides

Shared stews, hotpots and add-ons

Ask how many people one pot serves and how sizes differ.

Restaurant ordering guides

Ordering with a kiosk or QR menu

Choose a language if available, then check dine-in versus takeaway.

Restaurant ordering guides

Checking the bill and payment method

Check the quantities and added items on the bill.