10 Easy Korean Phrases for Café-Hopping in Seoul

A bright and cheerful illustration of a cozy café in Seoul with a foreign woman ordering coffee from a Korean barista.


Seoul is a paradise for coffee lovers. With thousands of cafes scattered across the city, from cozy hanok-style tea rooms to sleek, minimal cafés in trendy neighborhoods like Garosugil or Seongsu, café-hopping has become a quintessential part of modern Seoul life.

But there’s one tiny problem if you don’t speak Korean: the language barrier. While many cafés in Seoul have English menus, smaller or more local spots often don't. And even when they do, knowing a few basic Korean phrases can go a long way in making your café experience smoother, friendlier, and more immersive.

Whether you’re ordering a seasonal latte, asking for a seat by the window, or simply thanking the barista, these 10 Korean phrases will help you feel more confident and connected as you hop from café to café.

1. 아머니 아머니에서 주문할건요 (A-me-ri-ka-no han-a ju-se-yo)

“One Americano, please.”
This is the most common drink order and works in nearly every café. Replace ‘A-me-ri-ka-no’ with 매치에 (mae-chi-e; Matcha), 라키 (la-ti; Latte), or 닷넷 (peu-ra-ppe; Frappé) to order something different.

2. 이거 헤어줄수 있어요? (I-geo hae-u-jul-su it-seo-yo?)

“Can you make this to go?”
Use this when you’d prefer a takeaway cup. You can also say “To-go cup” directly in English at many cafes, but this phrase is more polite.

3. 토요에 열린건가요? (Toe-yo-e yeol-lin-geo-na-yo?)

“Are you open on Saturday?”
Perfect when you discover a cute café but aren’t sure about their weekend hours.

4. 타이틀이 뭐이에요? (Tai-teul-i mwo-ye-yo?)

“What does this mean?”
Great for understanding a menu item or café sign you don’t recognize. Point to the word as you ask.

5. 저기에 안자도 되요? (Jeo-gi-e an-ja-do dwae-yo?)

“Can I sit over there?”
Useful when tables are limited or if you want that sunny window seat.

6. 네가 지금 휴대전화 충전중이에요 (Nae-ga ji-geum hyu-dae-jeon-hwa chung-jeon-jung-i-e-yo)

“My phone is charging right now.”
Perfect if someone asks to use your outlet or if you want to explain why you’re seated near a plug.

7. 가끔 구글 복사기 쓰셔도 되요 (Ga-deum gu-geul bok-sa-gi sseo-do dwae-yo?)

“Can I use the Wi-Fi printer?”
For the occasional digital nomad café that offers printing, this may come in handy.

8. 정상 털게요 (Jeong-sang teol-ge-yo)

“I’ll clear the table.”
A polite phrase if you’re cleaning up after yourself before leaving a small, local café.

9. 간단한 맛 찾고 있어요 (Gan-dan-han mat chat-go it-seo-yo)

“I’m looking for something light.”
Use this if you’re unsure what to get and want the staff to recommend a small pastry or snack.

10. 감사합니다! (“Gam-sa-ham-ni-da!”)

“Thank you!”
It never hurts to end your order with a little kindness. A warm “Gam-sa-ham-ni-da” always gets a smile.

Bonus Tip: How to Say “It’s Delicious!”

정말로 맛있어요! (Jeong-mal-lo mat-it-seo-yo!) — say this when you find the best lemon tart or hazelnut latte of your trip.

Final Thoughts

Knowing even a little Korean makes a big difference in your travel or expat experience. These phrases aren’t just practical — they show curiosity and respect for the local culture. Plus, they make your café adventures feel a little more personal.

So next time you go café-hopping in Seoul, try using one or two of these phrases. You might just get a warm nod, a friendly chat, or even a bonus cookie.

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