Hungry to learn Korean? Today we’ll dive into everyday food vocabulary and the exact phrases you need to order politely, say what you like, and chat about meals. If you’ve ever wanted to ask for water, order coffee, or say “I like kimchi,” this lesson is for you.

We’ll keep it simple and practical, with short explanations and bite-sized exercises you can do right away.

Essential food words you’ll use a lot

Here are common words you’ll see on menus or hear at home. Try saying them out loud and notice the polite ending 요 in the example sentences.

Try these mini-sentences

Say them aloud. Notice how object particles 를/을 attach to food words before verbs like 좋아해요 (to like) or 먹어요 (to eat).

물 한 잔 .

Ordering food and drinks

The most useful pattern in a restaurant or café is: [item] + [quantity] + 주세요.

• For drinks, use the counter 잔 (cups): 커피 한 잔 주세요.
• For general items, you often hear native numbers without a counter: 비빔밥 하나 주세요. Native numbers: 한(1), 두(2), 세(3), 네(4).

커피 하나 잔 주세요 → 커피 한 잔 주세요 Use native numbers (한) with the counter 잔. Don’t say 하나 잔. 저는 김치 좋아요 → 저는 김치를 좋아해요 Use the verb 좋아하다 and object particle 를/을. 물 주세요요 → 물 주세요 Only one polite ending -요.

Quick practice: like vs eat vs order

Try making your own sentences. Keep it simple and polite.

• 저는 과일을 좋아해요. (I like fruit.)
• 저는 밥을 먹어요. (I eat rice/a meal.)
• 비빵이 아니고 빵이에요! Practice clear vowels: 빵 (ppang).

More natural phrases to try

• 김치찌개 맛있어요. (Kimchi stew is delicious.)
• 물 두 잔 주세요. (Two glasses of water, please.)
• 비빔밥 하나 주세요. (One bibimbap, please.)
• 생선은 괜찮아요. (Fish is okay.)

Notice: 은/는 often sets a topic or contrast (생선은…), while 를/을 marks a clear object (빵을 먹어요). At A1, using 를/을 before action verbs keeps your meaning clear.

Wrap-up

You learned core food words (밥, 김치, 빵, 물, 커피…), how to say likes with 좋아해요, how to eat with 먹어요, and the key ordering phrase [item] + [quantity] + 주세요. Practice by “ordering” items around you: 사과 한 개 주세요, 커피 한 잔 주세요.

Keep the -요 ending for politeness, use 를/을 with objects, and remember native numbers for small quantities (한, 두, 세, 네). You’ve got this—천천히, 맛있게 배우세요! (Slowly, learn deliciously!)