8 phrases for ordering coffee in Korean (yes, 아아 is a word)
Korea has more cafes per person than almost anywhere, and the ordering ritual is the same in every one: a short exchange at the counter, a buzzer (진동벨) that goes off when your drink is ready, and the question of whether you are staying or taking it away.
These eight lines cover that exchange in polite 요 speech, plus the two questions you will want once you have sat down. The cafe slang in the notes is current and Koreans use it without irony.
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아이스 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요.
aiseu amerikano han jan juseyo.
One iced Americano, please.
The national order. Cups are counted with 잔, so two is 두 잔. Among friends and on menus it shrinks to 아아 (iced Americano) and 뜨아 (hot Americano), and baristas will understand either.
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따뜻한 거로 주세요.
ttatteutan georo juseyo.
Hot, please.
Literally: Give me with the warm one.
The answer to 아이스로 드릴까요, 따뜻한 거로 드릴까요? (iced or hot?), which you will be asked for anything that comes both ways. 아이스로 주세요 is the other reply.
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포장해 주세요.
pojanghae juseyo.
To go, please.
Literally: Please wrap it.
Answers 드시고 가세요? (staying?). If you are staying, say 먹고 갈게요 or 마시고 갈게요 (I will drink it here). 테이크아웃 is also understood.
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샷 추가해 주세요.
syat chugahae juseyo.
Add an extra shot, please.
샷 추가 usually costs a little extra. For the opposite, 연하게 해 주세요 (make it weak); for less ice, 얼음 적게 주세요.
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덜 달게 해 주세요.
deol dalge hae juseyo.
Less sweet, please.
덜 is 'less', and it saves lattes and ades that arrive very sweet by default. 시럽 빼 주세요 (no syrup) is the firmer version.
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영수증은 괜찮아요.
yeongsujeungeun gwaenchanayo.
No receipt, thanks.
The till asks 영수증 드릴까요? (receipt?) and often 적립하시겠어요? (collect points?). 괜찮아요 declines both politely; it is the all-purpose 'no thank you' in shops.
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와이파이 비밀번호가 뭐예요?
waipai bimilbeonhoga mwoyeyo?
What is the wifi password?
Usually printed on the receipt or a sign by the counter, so look first. 비밀번호 is the word for any password, including the one on an apartment door.
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콘센트 있어요?
konsenteu isseoyo?
Is there a power outlet?
Cafe studying (카공, from 카페 공부) is a Korean institution, and seats by an outlet go first. Some cafes limit laptops at busy hours, so a sign saying 노트북 금지 means no laptops.
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Almost every request follows the shape noun + 주세요 or verb + 해 주세요, so once you have 주세요 you can improvise: 빨대 주세요 (a straw), 캐리어 주세요 (a carrier for several drinks). And when the 진동벨 buzzes, collect your drink yourself; cafes in Korea do not bring it to the table.