Café & Dessert Phrases in Korean: What to Say at Coffee Shops & Bakeries
Whether you’re at Starbucks in Seoul or a cozy dessert café in Busan, knowing a few Korean phrases will make your coffee experience smoother and more fun. Here are the most useful expressions for ordering drinks, asking for takeout, and enjoying Korea’s famous café culture!
☕ Ordering Drinks
- 아메리카노 주세요 (a-me-ri-ka-no ju-se-yo) – One Americano, please
- 뜨거운 거요 / 아이스로 주세요 (tteu-geo-un geo-yo / a-i-seu-ro ju-se-yo) – Hot please / Iced please
- 사이즈는 톨로 주세요 (sa-i-jeu-neun tol-lo ju-se-yo) – I’d like a tall size
- 테이크아웃이에요 (te-i-keu-a-ut i-e-yo) – It’s for takeout
🍰 Ordering Desserts
- 이 케이크 하나 주세요 (i ke-i-keu ha-na ju-se-yo) – One of this cake, please
- 오늘의 디저트 뭐예요? (o-neul-ui di-jeo-teu mwo-ye-yo?) – What’s today’s dessert?
- 추천 메뉴 있어요? (chu-cheon me-nyu i-sseo-yo?) – Do you have a recommendation?
🪑 Seating & In-store Use
- 여기 앉아도 돼요? (yeo-gi an-ja-do dwae-yo?) – Can I sit here?
- 콘센트 있어요? (kon-sen-teu i-sseo-yo?) – Do you have an outlet?
- 화장실 어디예요? (hwa-jang-sil eo-di-ye-yo?) – Where is the restroom?
💳 Paying
- 카드 돼요? (ka-deu doe-yo?) – Do you take card?
- 포인트 적립돼요? (po-in-teu jeok-rip-dwae-yo?) – Can I earn points?
- 영수증 주세요 (yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo) – Please give me the receipt
📘 Practice Mini Dialogue
Customer: 아이스 아메리카노 하나 주세요 (a-i-seu a-me-ri-ka-no ha-na ju-se-yo)
→ One iced Americano, please.
Staff: 사이즈는 어떻게 드릴까요? (sa-i-jeu-neun eo-tteo-ke deu-ril-kka-yo?)
→ What size would you like?
Customer: 톨 사이즈요. 테이크아웃이요. (tol sa-i-jeu-yo. te-i-keu-a-ut i-yo)
→ Tall size. Takeout, please.
Staff: 네, 감사합니다. (ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da)
→ Okay, thank you.
💡 Café Culture Tips in Korea
- Self-service: Pick up drinks when your buzzer rings
- Most cafés have Wi-Fi and outlets
- Ordering in English is usually okay, but Korean phrases make staff smile 😊
Next Lesson: Useful Korean Phrases at Convenience Stores 🏪