Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 식당 | sikdang | [ɕʰik̚t͈a̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 레스토랑 | reseutorang | [ɾe̞sʰɯtʰo̞ɾa̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 음식점 | eumsikjeom | [ˈɯ(ː)mɕʰik̚t͡ɕ͈ʌ̹m] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term 식당 is the most common and versatile way to say restaurant or cafeteria, covering everything from general eateries to school or company dining halls. When you want to refer specifically to a place known for delicious food in an informal way, you might use the term 맛집.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 식당 is composed of 식, meaning eat and 당, meaning place or hall.
Which one should you use?
While 식당 is a general term for any eating place, 레스토랑 is a loanword that typically implies a more Western-style or upscale dining establishment. In contrast, 음식점 is a more formal or administrative term, often used in professional contexts, official documents or business listings to mean a food establishment.
How do you pronounce it?
sikdang
When do people say it?
When dining out, you might find these useful phrases: 메뉴판 주세요. (Please give me the menu.), 음식을 주문하고 싶어요. (I would like to order some food.), 추천 메뉴가 있나요? (Do you have any recommended dishes?), 계산서 주세요. (Please bring the bill.), and 카드로 결제할 건데요. (I would like to pay by card.).
Did you know?
- In many Korean 식당, you will find a call button on the table. Instead of waving to a server, you press it to signal the staff to come to your table.
- In Korean culture, it is common for the oldest person at the table in a 식당 to be the one to start eating first as a sign of respect.
- Many traditional 식당 provide 'banchan', which are small side dishes served for free. These are often refillable without any additional charge.
Examples in context
- 이 음식점 토요일에는 더 붐벼.This restaurant is busier on Saturdays.This sentence shows how to describe the business of a specific 음식점 on a certain day.Tatoeba #4749599 by kimhkng, translation #2046888 by CK
- 와! 이 레스토랑 필라프가 정말 맛있는데!Wow! The pilaf at this restaurant is really good!This sentence expresses praise for the food at a specific 레스토랑.Tatoeba #11110734 by intertime, translation #2683796 by FeuDRenais2
- 톰은 직업을 잃은 뒤로 레스토랑에서 식사한 적이 없어.Tom hasn't eaten at a restaurant since he lost his job.This sentence describes a situation where someone has not eaten at a 레스토랑 for a period of time.Tatoeba #8555364 by Eunhee, translation #8555363 by CK
- 저희는 식당에서 저녁을 먹었어요.We had dinner at the restaurant.
- 저희는 음식점에 예약을 했어요.We made a reservation at the restaurant.
- 오늘은 어떤 집에서 점심을 먹을까요?Which restaurant shall we have lunch at today?
- 이 동네에는 유명한 맛집이 많이 있어요.There are many famous restaurants in this neighborhood.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Jihun are deciding where to eat lunch.
- 민지 Min-ji근처에 맛있는 식당이 있어요?geuncheoe masissneun sikdang-i isseoyo?Is there a delicious restaurant nearby?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 저기 골목에 식당이 하나 있어요.ne, jeogi golmog-e sikdang-i hana isseoyo.Yes, there is a restaurant in that alley over there.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨, 그 식당 가볼까요?Jihun ssi, geu sikdang gabolkkayo?Jihun, shall we try that restaurant?
- 지훈 Ji-hun좋아요, 민지 씨. 거기로 가요.joayo, Minji ssi. geogiro gayo.Sounds good, Minji. Let's go there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “restaurant” translations and entries 식당, 레스토랑, 음식점, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
