Korean Food & Restaurant: Dietary Restrictions and Allergies

Key allergy/diet phrases: 알레르기 (allergy), 채식주의자 (vegetarian), 못 먹어요 (can't eat). Korea's cuisine heavily uses soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and se...

The Rule

Key allergy/diet phrases: 알레르기 (allergy), 채식주의자 (vegetarian), 못 먹어요 (can't eat). Korea's cuisine heavily uses soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and seafood — these are hard to avoid entirely. Korean food culture is central to daily life and social bonding. Understanding food-related phrases isn't just about eating — it's about connecting with Korean people and culture. From street markets to fine dining, these expressions will make your Korean food experiences richer and more authentic.

Why English Speakers Get It Wrong

English speakers often struggle with Korean food vocabulary because: 1. Many dishes have no English equivalent — you must learn the Korean name 2. Ordering conventions are different (call the server, use 주세요) 3. Korean food etiquette has unspoken rules that aren't obvious Key phrase: 알레르기가 있어요 (Allereugi-ga isseoyo) — "I have allergies" This is one of the most practical phrases you'll use in Korea.

How It Works

Key allergy/diet phrases: 알레르기 (allergy), 채식주의자 (vegetarian), 못 먹어요 (can't eat). Korea's cuisine heavily uses soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and seafood — these are hard to avoid entirely. Examples: • 땅콩 알레르기가 있어요. (ttangkong arrereugiga iteoyo.) — "I have a peanut allergy." • 고기 안 먹어요. (gogi an meokeoyo.) — "I don't eat meat." • 이거 해산물 들어가요? (igeo haesanmur deureogayo?) — "Does this contain seafood?" • 글루텐 프리 있어요? (geurruten peuri iteoyo?) — "Do you have gluten-free options?" Write your allergies in Korean on your phone to show the server: '저는 [food] 알레르기가 있습니다' (I have a [food] allergy). Visual communication works when language fails.

Real Examples

• 땅콩 알레르기가 있어요. (ttangkong arrereugiga iteoyo.) — "I have a peanut allergy." • 고기 안 먹어요. (gogi an meokeoyo.) — "I don't eat meat." • 이거 해산물 들어가요? (igeo haesanmur deureogayo?) — "Does this contain seafood?" • 글루텐 프리 있어요? (geurruten peuri iteoyo?) — "Do you have gluten-free options?"

Common Mistakes

❌ Directly translating English food phrases into Korean ✅ Use natural Korean expressions: 땅콩 알레르기가 있어요. → Korean food language has its own patterns that don't map 1:1 from English. ❌ Not using polite endings (주세요, -요) when ordering ✅ Always add 주세요 (juseyo — please give me) when ordering → Dropping politeness markers sounds rude, even at casual eateries.

Quick Tip

Write your allergies in Korean on your phone to show the server: '저는 [food] 알레르기가 있습니다' (I have a [food] allergy). Visual communication works when language fails. Practice tip: Visit a Korean restaurant near you and try ordering in Korean. Even outside Korea, Korean restaurant staff will be delighted if you use these phrases. Start with 이거 주세요 (this one please) — it never fails!

Write your allergies in Korean on your phone to show the server: '저는 [food] 알레르기가 있습니다' (I have a [food] allergy). Visual communication works when language fails.

Examples

땅콩 알레르기가 있어요. — ttangkong arrereugiga iteoyo. — I have a peanut allergy.

고기 안 먹어요. — gogi an meokeoyo. — I don't eat meat.

이거 해산물 들어가요? — igeo haesanmur deureogayo? — Does this contain seafood?

글루텐 프리 있어요? — geurruten peuri iteoyo? — Do you have gluten-free options?