Order like a local — even when you can't read the app
Korea's food delivery game is next-level, but what happens when the app is in Korean or won't accept your foreign card? These 5 phrases cover the real situations travelers face: calling restaurants directly, fixing delivery hiccups, and being polite when someone hands you late-night fried chicken. You don't need fluency — just these lines.
배달 되나요? — Do you deliver?
bae-dal doe-na-yo · Small family-run spots often aren't on Coupang Eats or Baemin. When you walk in craving jjigae at 9 PM, ask this before you give up and sit down. If they say doe-yo, you're golden. If they shake their head and say an-doe-yo, at least you tried — and they'll appreciate the Korean attempt.
전화 번호 알려 주세요 — Tell me the phone number
jeon-hwa beon-ho al-lyeo ju-se-yo · Your app crashed, your card got declined, or the restaurant just isn't listed online. Ask the counter staff this and they'll either say the number out loud slowly, point to a business card, or write it on a napkin. Plug it into your phone, call direct, and order in broken Korean or English — most places are used to it.
스푼 두 개 주세요 — Give me two spoons please
seu-pun du gae ju-se-yo · Ordered for two but only got one spoon? Craving soup with a friend? This phrase works at delivery handoff or when you call to add a request. Swap du gae (two) for se gae (three) if needed. For chopsticks, replace seu-pun with jeo-ga-rak and you're set.
앞에 놓고 가 주세요 — Just leave it at the door
a-pe no-ko ga ju-se-yo · Still in pajamas? Just out of the shower? Add this to your order notes or say it when confirming by phone. The driver will ring your bell or knock once, leave the bag outside, and walk away. It's completely normal here — no awkward eye contact required.
잘 먹을게요 — I'll eat well / Thanks for the food
jal meo-geul-ge-yo · If the driver waits and hands you the food in person — especially late at night or in the rain — this is your moment. It's a tiny gesture of thanks that acknowledges their effort. You'll usually get a smile, a nod, and good karma for your next order.
How to sound right
- The 'eo' sound in bae-dal and jeon-hwa is like the 'u' in 'sun' — short and unstressed, not 'oh'.
- End every phrase softly; -yo is polite but casual, perfect for service situations without being stiff.
- If you mess up the pronunciation, smile and try again — effort counts way more than perfection in Korea.
FAQ
- Do delivery drivers in Korea speak English?
- Most don't, but the transaction is simple: they hand you food, you take it, done. If you say phrase 5, you've already gone above and beyond. Address and payment are handled in the app, so language rarely matters.
- Can I tip delivery drivers?
- Tipping isn't expected or common in Korea — including for delivery. The driver won't be offended if you don't offer, and some may even politely refuse. A warm thank-you in Korean is worth more culturally.
- What if I need to change my delivery address last-minute?
- Call the restaurant immediately using phrase 2 to get their number if you don't have it. Say the new address clearly or have it written in Korean on your phone to read aloud. Most places will accommodate if the food hasn't left yet.
Ask James
Seoul
