Beginner • • 17 min read

Korean Food and Dining: Complete Vocabulary Guide

Master Korean food vocabulary and dining culture. Learn essential dishes, ingredients, cooking terms, and proper restaurant etiquette for authentic Korean dining experiences.

Essential Dishes

Rice Dishes

밥 - Rice
비빔밥 - Mixed rice bowl
김밥 - Seaweed rice roll
볶음밥 - Fried rice
죽 - Porridge
덮밥 - Rice bowl with toppings
곤드레밥 - Rice with herbs

Noodle Dishes

라면 - Ramen
국수 - Noodles
잡채 - Glass noodles
냉면 - Cold noodles
우동 - Udon
칼국수 - Knife-cut noodles
짜장면 - Black bean noodles

Basic Food Vocabulary

1. What does '밥' mean?

2. Which word means 'spicy'?

3. Match the meaning: '물'

Soup and Stew

Soups

국 - Soup
미역국 - Seaweed soup
된장국 - Soybean paste soup
김치국 - Kimchi soup
맑은국 - Clear soup
갈비탕 - Beef rib soup
삼계탕 - Ginseng chicken soup

Stews

찌개 - Stew
김치찌개 - Kimchi stew
순두부찌개 - Soft tofu stew
된장찌개 - Soybean paste stew
부대찌개 - Army base stew
청국장 - Fermented soybean stew

Main Dishes

Meat Dishes

불고기 - Marinated beef
삼겹살 - Pork belly
갈비 - Ribs
닭갈비 - Spicy chicken
제육볶음 - Stir-fried pork
닭볶음탕 - Braised chicken
돼지갈비 - Pork ribs

Seafood Dishes

생선구이 - Grilled fish
오징어볶음 - Stir-fried squid
해물파전 - Seafood pancake
회 - Raw fish
조개구이 - Grilled clams
새우구이 - Grilled shrimp

Main Dish Practice

1. What is '삼겹살'?

2. How do you say raw fish in Korean?

3. What type of dish is '해물파전'?

Side Dishes

Common Banchan

반찬 - Side dish
김치 - Kimchi
나물 - Seasoned vegetables
장아찌 - Pickled vegetables
무말랭이 - Dried radish
시금치 - Spinach
콩나물 - Bean sprouts

Kimchi Types

배추김치 - Cabbage kimchi
깍두기 - Radish kimchi
총각김치 - Young radish kimchi
열무김치 - Young summer radish kimchi
파김치 - Green onion kimchi
오이소박이 - Cucumber kimchi

Restaurant Phrases

Ordering

메뉴 주세요 - Menu please
주문하시겠어요? - Would you like to order?
이거 주세요 - This please
추천해 주세요 - Please recommend something
맵게 해주세요 - Make it spicy
덜 맵게 해주세요 - Make it less spicy

Service Requests

물 좀 주세요 - Water please
수저 주세요 - Utensils please
반찬 더 주세요 - More side dishes please
계산서 주세요 - Bill please
포장해 주세요 - Please wrap it to go
여기요 - Excuse me (calling server)

Restaurant Phrases

1. How do you ask for the menu?

2. What's the polite way to start eating?

3. How do you ask for the bill?

Ingredients

Basic Ingredients

고추 - Chili pepper
마늘 - Garlic
파 - Green onion
양파 - Onion
생강 - Ginger
두부 - Tofu
버섯 - Mushroom

Seasonings

고추장 - Red pepper paste
된장 - Soybean paste
간장 - Soy sauce
참기름 - Sesame oil
소금 - Salt
설탕 - Sugar
후추 - Pepper

Cooking Terms

Methods

볶다 - Stir-fry
굽다 - Grill/Bake
삶다 - Boil
찌다 - Steam
튀기다 - Fry
절이다 - Pickle
무치다 - Season/Mix

Descriptions

맵다 - Spicy
달다 - Sweet
짜다 - Salty
시다 - Sour
쓰다 - Bitter
담백하다 - Plain/Mild
고소하다 - Nutty

Cooking Practice

1. What does '볶다' mean?

2. How do you say something is spicy?

3. What's the word for soy sauce?

Dining Etiquette

Table Manners

  1. Wait for elders to start
  2. Hold bowl in hand
  3. Use spoon for rice/soup
  4. Use chopsticks for side dishes
  5. Don’t leave chopsticks in rice

Cultural Tips

  1. Pour drinks for others
  2. Accept with both hands
  3. Cover mouth when using toothpick
  4. Share communal dishes
  5. Clean your plate

Dining Etiquette

1. What should you use for eating rice?

2. When can you start eating?

3. How should you receive dishes or drinks?

Next Steps

To improve your Korean food knowledge:

  1. Try cooking Korean dishes
  2. Visit Korean restaurants
  3. Learn ingredient names
  4. Practice ordering in Korean
  5. Study cooking videos

Remember: Understanding Korean food vocabulary enhances both your language skills and cultural appreciation.

Food Types

1. Which is a traditional Korean soup?

2. What type of food is '불고기'?

3. Which banchan (side dish) is most common?