How to Order Korean BBQ in Korea: The Menu Words and What to Say
Samgyeopsal, galbi, "2 servings please", how to call the server and how to ask for more lettuce. Everything you need for your first Korean BBQ in Korea, with audio.
Korean BBQ in Korea is a little different from the all-you-can-eat places back home. You order by the serving, the side dishes keep coming for free, and the staff might grill for you if you look lost. Here's how to walk in, order and eat like you've done it before.
The menu words
| Korean | Say it | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| 삼겹살 | sam-gyeop-sal | pork belly, the classic |
| 목살 | mok-sal | pork neck, leaner and juicy |
| 갈비 | gal-bi | ribs, usually marinated |
| 돼지갈비 | dwae-ji gal-bi | marinated pork ribs |
| 소갈비 | so-gal-bi | beef ribs |
| 차돌박이 | cha-dol-ba-gi | thin beef brisket, cooks in seconds |
| 된장찌개 | doen-jang jji-gae | soybean paste stew, the perfect side |
| 냉면 | naeng-myeon | cold noodles, the classic way to finish |
How to order: count the servings
Meat is ordered in servings called 인분 (in-bun). Most places want at least 2 servings, even for one person. Two people usually order 2 or 3 to start.
삼겹살 2인분 주세요.
sam-gyeop-sal i-in-bun ju-se-yo "Two servings of pork belly, please."
For the numbers, Korean uses 일, 이, 삼 (il, i, sam) here: 2인분 is i-in-bun and 3인분 is sam-in-bun.
How to call the server
There's no waiting for someone to come by. Raise your hand a little and call out:
여기요!
yeo-gi-yo! "Excuse me!" (literally "over here!")
It feels loud the first time. It's completely normal, and the staff expect it. Many places also have a call button on the table.
Free refills
Lettuce, kimchi and the little side dishes (반찬, ban-chan) are free, and you can ask for more. Some places have a self-serve bar for this.
상추 좀 더 주세요.
sang-chu jom deo ju-se-yo "Could we have some more lettuce?"
Swap 상추 for anything: 김치 좀 더 주세요 for more kimchi.
How to eat it
- Let the meat cook. At many places the staff will flip and cut it with scissors. Let them, they're very good at it.
- Make a wrap. Lettuce in your palm, a piece of meat, a dab of 쌈장 (ssam-jang, the thick sauce), garlic or kimchi if you like. Fold it up.
- One bite. The wrap is meant to go in all at once. Koreans will be impressed if you do.
Paying and leaving
You usually pay at the counter by the door, not at the table.
계산해 주세요.
gye-san-hae ju-se-yo "The bill, please."
잘 먹었습니다!
jal meo-geot-seum-ni-da! "I ate well!" (say it on your way out)
There's no tipping in Korea, so the price on the menu is what you pay.
Mini quiz
1. You want 3 servings of pork neck. What do you say?
목살 3인분 주세요 (mok-sal sam-in-bun ju-se-yo).
2. The menu says 소갈비. Pork or beef?
Beef! 소 means cow.
3. How do you get the server's attention?
여기요! (yeo-gi-yo!)
Menus in Korea are often Korean only, and that's where reading Hangul pays off. Start with your first 5 letters, or see how most cafe menu words are English in disguise.
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See the workbookEmma is a Korean-American who grew up in the US and now lives in Seoul. A marketer by trade, she spent years guiding first-time visitors around Korea and teaching them to read Hangul.