8 Korean table manners phrases (잘 먹겠습니다 and what comes after)

Thank you for the meal.

Literally: I will eat well.

Said before the first bite, to whoever cooked or is paying, and to nobody in particular at a restaurant. The 습니다 form is standard here even among people who otherwise speak casually.

Please, you first.

Nobody lifts chopsticks before the eldest person at the table does. 드세요 is the honorific of 먹다 (to eat), and this line is what you say if the elder is waiting on you out of politeness.

Eat plenty.

Literally: Eat a lot.

The host's line, and the one restaurant staff say when they set the food down (맛있게 드세요 is the other). The reply is 네, 잘 먹겠습니다.

Let me pour you a drink.

Literally: Please receive a glass.

You pour for others and never for yourself. Pour and receive with two hands for anyone older, and when drinking with elders, turn your head slightly away. Refills only go into an empty glass.

More side dishes, please.

Side dishes are refilled free at almost every Korean restaurant, so asking is expected. Name the one you want, 김치 더 주세요, or press the call button (호출벨) on the table.

I'm full. I can't eat any more.

Literally: Belly is full. More, I cannot eat.

Hosts keep offering; this is how you stop them without offence. Leaving a little food is fine, and 못 먹겠어요 with 겠 sounds gentler than a flat 못 먹어요.

Thank you, that was a good meal.

Literally: I ate well.

The closing pair to 잘 먹겠습니다, said as you put down your chopsticks and again to staff on the way out. Forgetting it is the one table-manners slip Koreans do notice.

I'll get this.

Literally: I will buy.

The elder or the person who did the inviting usually pays, and the junior buys coffee afterwards. Among friends the bill is often split (더치페이, from Dutch pay), so if someone insists with this line, let them.