Korean BBQ is basically a religion here. I go at least twice a month, and yes, I know exactly how much meat a table of 4 needs. Let me share my wisdom.
Korean BBQ Basics
Before we talk phrases, know the system:
- Order at least 2 servings - Most places require minimum 2 portions per meat type
- Side dishes are FREE and unlimited - Just ask for refills
- Staff often grills for you - Especially at tourist areas
- Don’t flip the meat too much - One flip is enough
- Use scissors - Koreans cut meat with scissors. It’s normal.
Quick Overview
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 삼겹살 2인분 주세요 | samgyeopsal iinbun juseyo | 2 servings of pork belly please |
| 불판 좀 갈아주세요 | bulpan jom garajuseyo | Please change the grill |
| 반찬 더 주세요 | banchan deo juseyo | More side dishes please |
| 상추 더 주세요 | sangchu deo juseyo | More lettuce please |
| 공기밥 주세요 | gonggibap juseyo | Rice please |
| 여기요! | yeogiyo! | Excuse me! (to call staff) |
| 불 좀 줄여주세요 | bul jom juryeojuseyo | Please lower the heat |
| 고기 추가요 | gogi chugayo | More meat please |
1. 삼겹살 2인분 주세요 (samgyeopsal iinbun juseyo) - “2 servings of pork belly”
When to Use It
The ordering formula: [Meat type] + [Number]인분 + 주세요
인분 (inbun) = servings/portions
Real Example
Common Meats
| Korean | Romanization | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| 삼겹살 | samgyeopsal | Pork belly |
| 목살 | moksal | Pork neck/collar |
| 항정살 | hangjeongsal | Pork jowl |
| 소갈비 | sogalbi | Beef short ribs |
| 차돌박이 | chadolbagi | Beef brisket |
| 양념갈비 | yangnyeomgalbi | Marinated ribs |
DO:
- Order at least 2인분 per meat type (1인분 often not allowed)
- Ask what’s popular: “뭐가 맛있어요?” (mwoga masisseoyo?)
DON’T:
- Order everything at once (meat comes fast and gets cold)
2. 불판 좀 갈아주세요 (bulpan jom garajuseyo) - “Please change the grill”
When to Use It
When the grill gets burnt and crusty. This happens fast, especially with fatty meats like samgyeopsal.
Don’t be shy - Koreans change the grill multiple times per meal. It’s expected.
Real Example
Grill-Related Phrases
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 불판 | bulpan | Grill plate |
| 불 | bul | Fire/heat |
| 새 불판 | sae bulpan | New grill |
| 타요! | tayo! | It’s burning! |
3. 반찬 더 주세요 (banchan deo juseyo) - “More side dishes please”
When to Use It
Side dishes (반찬) are FREE and UNLIMITED at Korean restaurants. Run out of kimchi? Just ask.
You can also ask for specific items: “김치 더 주세요” (gimchi deo juseyo)
Real Example
Essential BBQ Side Dishes
| Korean | Romanization | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| 김치 | gimchi | Kimchi |
| 쌈장 | ssamjang | Dipping paste |
| 마늘 | maneul | Garlic |
| 파절이 | pajeoori | Green onion salad |
| 깻잎 | kkaennip | Perilla leaves |
| 된장찌개 | doenjangjjigae | Soybean paste stew |
4. 상추 더 주세요 (sangchu deo juseyo) - “More lettuce please”
When to Use It
쌈 (ssam) = wrapping meat in lettuce/leaves. It’s THE Korean BBQ move. You’ll run out of lettuce fast.
Real Example
Ssam Essentials
| Korean | Romanization | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| 상추 | sangchu | Lettuce |
| 깻잎 | kkaennip | Perilla leaf |
| 쌈 | ssam | Wrap |
| 쌈장 | ssamjang | Wrap sauce |
| 쌈 싸서 먹다 | ssam ssaseo meokda | To eat wrapped in leaves |
5. 공기밥 주세요 (gonggibap juseyo) - “Rice please”
When to Use It
Rice usually costs extra at BBQ places (1,000-2,000 won per bowl). Order when you want to balance the meat with some carbs.
Alternative: Some places have 볶음밥 (bokkeumbap - fried rice) that staff makes on the grill with leftover bits. SO GOOD.
Real Example
When to Use It
Korean restaurants don’t have the “wait for server to come” culture. You CALL them. Loudly.
여기요 literally means “here” - you’re saying “hey, over here!”
Some restaurants have buttons to call staff. Press it shamelessly.
Real Example
Calling Staff
| Korean | Romanization | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 여기요! | yeogiyo! | Standard call |
| 저기요! | jeogiyo! | Slightly more polite |
| 사장님! | sajangnim! | “Boss!” (small shops) |
| (press bell) | - | If available |
7. 불 좀 줄여주세요 (bul jom juryeojuseyo) - “Lower the heat please”
When to Use It
BBQ grills can get TOO hot, burning your meat before it’s cooked inside. Ask staff to adjust.
Opposite: 불 좀 높여주세요 (bul jom nopyeojuseyo) - “Please raise the heat”
Real Example
When to Use It
Still hungry? Order more! Just say what you want + 추가요.
추가 (chuga) = additional
Real Example
Ordering More
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 추가요 | chugayo | Additional please |
| 하나 더 | hana deo | One more |
| 같은 거요 | gateun geoyo | Same thing |
| 메뉴판 주세요 | menyupan juseyo | Menu please |
Complete Korean BBQ Script
Here’s a full meal from start to finish:
Mid-meal:
End of meal:
My Experience
The golden ratio for 2 people: Start with 2인분 of one meat, see how hungry you are, then order more. My husband and I usually do 삼겹살 2인분 + 목살 1인분 + 공기밥 2. Perfect amount.
Some places give you a new grill automatically. Others you wait until it’s a charcoal disaster. Just ask - no one’s judging. I usually ask after finishing one type of meat before starting another.
I judge Korean BBQ places by their 반찬. Good samgyeopsal with sad banchan? Disappointing. Okay meat with amazing banchan? I’ll come back. My must-haves: 김치, 파절이 (green onion salad), 쌈장, 마늘.
The perfect ssam: lettuce leaf, add grilled meat, small piece of garlic, dab of ssamjang, bit of pajeori, then stuff the whole thing in your mouth. Pro tip - don’t take a bite, commit to the whole thing.
The 볶음밥 at the end of the meal is the real dessert. The staff mixes rice with leftover meat bits, egg, and kimchi on the grill. I dream about this. Not all places offer it - ask “볶음밥 돼요?” (bokkeumbap dwaeyo?)
When I lived abroad, I kept awkwardly waiting for servers to notice me. In Korea I yell “여기요!” across the restaurant without shame. It’s not rude here, it’s expected.
I like my meat medium-well. My husband likes it basically raw (Korean style). We have grill wars every time. The compromise: keep one side of the grill hot, one side cooler.
The danger zone: ordering too much too early. The meat keeps coming and you can’t stop eating and suddenly you’re lying on the floor. Pace yourself, order in rounds.
BBQ Etiquette Tips
- Youngest person pours drinks - for older people at the table
- Don’t pour your own drink - let others pour for you
- Use two hands - when receiving drinks from elders
- The last piece - Don’t take it without offering to others
- Scissors are normal - Don’t be weirded out
Related Posts
- Korean Food Reactions - How to express “this is amazing”
- Korean Cafe Ordering - For dessert after BBQ
Writing this made me hungry. Excuse me while I go order delivery samgyeopsal.