"No Spicy, Please!": Essential Korean Phrases for Dining with Kids

 One of the most frequent worries I hear from parents visiting Seoul is: "What if everything is too spicy for my child?" Even as a local, I have to be careful when ordering for my son, Woobin. In Korea, even some things that look "yellow" or "clear" might have a hidden kick of ginger or green pepper! To ensure your little one enjoys their meal without any surprises, you need a few "magic words." Today, I’ll teach you the most essential Korean phrases that every traveling parent should have in their pocket.

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1. The Life-Saver: "Is this spicy?"

Before you order, always double-check. Even a simple beef soup might contain black pepper or leeks that a sensitive child might find spicy.

• Korean: 이거 매워요?

• Pronunciation: I-geo mae-wo-yo?

• Meaning: Is this spicy?

H3 "Please make it NOT spicy" If you want to be extra safe, use this phrase. It’s perfect for dishes like Bibimbap (so they leave out the red pepper paste) or Fried Rice.

• Korean: 안 맵게 해주세요.

• Pronunciation: An maep-ge hae-ju-se-yo.

• Meaning: Please make it not spicy.

2. Customizing for the Kids (Sauce on the Side)

Many Korean kids' favorites, like Donkatsu (Pork Cutlet) or Tangsu-yuk (Sweet and Sour Pork), come with the sauce poured all over. If your child is picky about textures or likes to dip, ask for the sauce separately.

• Korean: 소스는 따로 주세요.

• Pronunciation: So-seu-neun tta-ro ju-se-yo.

• Meaning: Please give the sauce on the side.

3. Essential Kid-Friendly Amenities

Most Korean restaurants are very kind to children, but they might not bring out the "kids' gear" automatically unless they see you need it.

• "Do you have a high chair?"

  • Korean: 아기 의자 있어요? (A-gi ui-ja it-seo-yo?)

• "Can I get children's cutlery (spoon/fork)?"

  • Korean: 아이용 수저 좀 주세요. (A-i-yong su-jeo jom ju-se-yo.)

4. Asking for Water and Rice

In Korea, water is usually free and self-service, but you can always ask a server. Also, adding an extra bowl of white rice is the easiest way to balance any meal.

• "Please give me some water."

  • Korean: 물 좀 주세요. (Mul jom ju-se-yo.)

• "One bowl of rice, please."

  • Korean: 공기밥 하나 주세요. (Gong-gi-bap ha-na ju-se-yo.)

5. Dealing with Allergies

This is the most critical part. If your child has a specific allergy (like peanuts or eggs), show the server this phrase or a translated card.

• "He/She has an allergy."

  • Korean: 알레르기가 있어요. (Al-le-reu-gi-ga it-seo-yo.)

• "No [Peanuts / Eggs / Milk / Flour], please."

  • Korean: [땅콩 / 계란 / 우유 / 밀가루] 빼주세요. ([Pnut / Gye-ran / U-yu / Mil-ga-ru] ppae-ju-se-yo.)

Don't worry about perfect pronunciation! Korean people are generally very patient and will appreciate that you are trying to communicate for your child's sake. Most servers will instantly understand "No Spicy" even if said in English, but using the Korean phrases above will make your experience much smoother. Which of these phrases do you think you'll use the most? If you have a specific request you need translated, leave it in the comments below, and I'll write the Korean for you!