top of page
Search

Restaurant Names in Korean | Korean Food Chains to Try


안녕하세요 Readers! I’m Koreanstudyjunkie, aka Junie.


In my effort to post more content, I’ve realized there are certain ultra niche topics that may not be super popular, but are sought after by smaller groups of people. Therefore, I’ve decided that I will try to reach every niche corner I can and continue to make posts like this.


In this post, I have compiled a list of common restaurant chains in Korean, as well as good Korean restaurant chains you might be interested in trying!


Korean Restaurant Chains

  • 본죽 (Bonjuk) – Porridge (죽) Restaurant

  • 한촌설렁탕 (Hanchon Seolleongtang) – Ox Bone Soup (설렁탕) Restaurant

  • 신선설농탕 (Sinsun Seollongtang) – Famous for Beef Bone Soup

  • 놀부부대찌개 (Nolbu Budae Jjigae) – Army Stew (부대찌개) Restaurant

  • 유가네 닭갈비 (Yugane Dakgalbi) – Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken (닭갈비)

  • 철판목장 (Cheolpan Mokjang) – Sizzling Meat Restaurant

  • 명륜진사갈비 (Myeongnyun Jinsa Galbi) – Unlimited BBQ Ribs (갈비)

  • 새마을식당 (Saemaeul Sikdang) – Korean BBQ and Stews

  • 육회자매집 (Yukhoe Jamae Jip) – Raw Beef Dish (육회) Restaurant

  • 사라다카츠 (Sarada Katsu) – Pork Cutlet (돈카츠) Restaurant

  • 김밥천국 (Gimbap Cheonguk) – Korean Fast Food (Kimchi, Kimbap)

  • 미스터돈 (Mr. Don) – Fried Donut Chain

  • 마포갈매기 (Mapo Galmaegi) – Grilled Mackerel BBQ Restaurant

  • 두레국수 (Dure Guksu) – Noodles (국수) Restaurant

  • 오장동 떡볶이 (Ojangdong Tteokbokki) – Spicy Rice Cake (떡볶이) Restaurant

  • 홍콩반점 0410 (Hong Kong Banjeom 0410) – Chinese-Korean Fusion Restaurant

  • 쌍계탕 (Ssamgyetang) – Ginseng Chicken Soup Restaurant

  • 청기와 (Cheonggiwa) – Ginseng-based Cuisine Restaurant

  • 한방삼계탕 (Hanbang Samgyetang) – Herbal Chicken Soup Restaurant



Western Restaurant Chains


  • 맥도날드 (McDonald's)

  • 버거킹 (Burger King)

  • 롯데리아 (Lotteria) – Korean Fast Food Chain

  • KFC (KFC)

  • 피자헛 (Pizza Hut)

  • 도미노피자 (Domino's Pizza)

  • 파파존스 (Papa John's Pizza)

  • 스타벅스 (Starbucks)

  • 던킨도너츠 (Dunkin' Donuts)

  • 서브웨이 (Subway)

  • 크리스피크림 도넛 (Krispy Kreme Donuts)

  • TGIF (TGI Fridays)

  • 아웃백 스테이크하우스 (Outback Steakhouse)

  • 쉐이크쉑 (Shake Shack)

  • 더플레이스 (The Place) – Italian Restaurant



International Restaurant Chains


  • 이케아 레스토랑 (IKEA Restaurant)

  • 하드록카페 (Hard Rock Café)

  • 칠리’s (Chili's)

  • 베니건스 (Bennigan's)

  • 파리바게뜨 (Paris Baguette) – Bakery Café Chain

  • 뚜레쥬르 (Tous les Jours) – Bakery Chain



Buffet Chains


  • 씨푸드 뷔페 (Seafood Buffet)

  • 라뜰리에 (L'atelier) – Buffet with French-style dishes

  • 롯데호텔 뷔페 (Lotte Hotel Buffet)

  • 쉐라톤 뷔페 (Sheraton Buffet)

  • 코코이찌방야 (Coco Ichibanya) – Japanese Curry Buffet


Shortening Restaurant Names


In casual speech, Koreans often shorten or modify the names of restaurant chains to make them easier or more familiar to say.


This is especially common with well-known Western restaurant chains, but it can also happen with Korean restaurants.


For example, 맥도 (McDo) is a shortened form of 맥도날드 (McDonald's), and people might say 오늘 맥도 가자! (Let's go to McDonald's today!).


Similarly, 스타박스 (Starbucks) gets shortened to 스타박스 (Starbucks), and you might hear 스타박스에서 커피 마시자! (Let's have coffee at Starbucks!).


For 버거킹 (Burger King), people might say 버킹 (Burger King), as in 버킹 가서 햄버거 먹자. (Let’s go to Burger King and eat a hamburger).


피자헛 (Pizza Hut) becomes 피햇 (Pizza Hut), and 도미노피자 (Domino's Pizza) gets shortened to 도미노 (Domino's Pizza).


Even with Korean restaurant chains, names are often shortened. 본죽 (Bonjuk), a porridge restaurant, can simply be called 본죽, as in 오늘 본죽 먹으러 갈래? (Do you want to go to Bonjuk today?).


유가네 닭갈비 (Yugane Dakgalbi), known for its spicy stir-fried chicken, can be shortened to just 유가네, as in 유가네 가서 닭갈비 먹자. (Let’s go to Yugane and eat dakgalbi).


Similarly, 김밥천국 (Gimbap Cheonguk) becomes 김천 (Gimcheon) in casual speech, as in 김천 가서 김밥 먹을래? (Shall we go to Gimbap Cheonguk and eat gimbap?).


사라다카츠 (Sarada Katsu), a restaurant famous for its tonkatsu, is often called 사라다 (Sarada), as in 사라다 가서 돈카츠 먹자. (Let’s go to Sarada and eat tonkatsu).


놀부부대찌개 (Nolbu Budae Jjigae) becomes simply 놀부 (Nolbu), and you might hear 놀부 가서 부대찌개 먹자. (Let’s go to Nolbu and eat budae jjigae).


Sometimes, even more casual modifications occur, like shortening 롯데리아 (Lotteria) to just 롯데 (Lotte), as in 롯데 가자. (Let’s go to Lotte [Lotteria]).


For KFC, people might say 케이 (K), as in 케이에서 치킨 먹자. (Let’s eat chicken at KFC).


던킨도너츠 (Dunkin’ Donuts) is often referred to as 도넛 (Doughnuts), with the phrase 도넛 먹으러 가자. (Let’s go eat doughnuts).



Shortening names is a natural trend in Korean, making them quicker and easier to say, especially in informal settings, and it’s a common practice for places that are familiar or frequently visited.



Using 집 + Food


In Korean, adding 집, which means "house," to a food name is a common way to refer to a type of restaurant or place that specializes in a particular dish.


It implies a casual, homestyle atmosphere, and it’s often used to describe small, specialty restaurants.


For example:

  • 칼국수집 – A restaurant that specializes in 칼국수 (hand-cut noodles).

  • 김치찌개집 – A restaurant that specializes in 김치찌개 (kimchi stew).

  • 삼겹살집 – A restaurant that specializes in 삼겹살 (grilled pork belly).

  • 갈비집 – A restaurant that specializes in 갈비 (BBQ ribs).

  • 떡볶이집 – A restaurant that specializes in 떡볶이 (spicy rice cakes).

  • 보쌈집 – A restaurant that specializes in 보쌈 (boiled pork with side dishes).

  • 비빔밥집 – A restaurant that specializes in 비빔밥 (mixed rice with vegetables and meat)

  • 냉면집 – A restaurant that specializes in 냉면 (cold noodles)


Using 집 after a food name creates a sense of a traditional, specialized, or local place focused on that particular dish.


It’s also commonly used when talking about small, family-run eateries that have a reputation for doing one thing really well, rather than a large, multi-item menu.


For example:

  • “오늘 점심은 삼겹살집 가자.” (Let's go to a samgyeopsal restaurant for lunch today.)

  • “이 집 떡볶이 정말 맛있어.” (The tteokbokki at this place is really delicious.)


About The Word - 맛집


맛집 is a popular Korean expression that combines 맛 meaning "taste" or "flavor" and 집 meaning "house" or "place." When put together, 맛집 refers to a "delicious place" or "place with good food."


It is used to describe restaurants, cafes, or eateries that are well-known for serving particularly tasty or high-quality food. It's a word commonly used by locals and food enthusiasts to recommend spots with exceptional meals.


For example:

  • 이 집은 진짜 맛집이야! (This place is really a delicious spot!)

  • 서울에서 맛집을 많이 찾아봤어요. (I've searched for a lot of good restaurants in Seoul.)

  • 그 식당은 맛집으로 유명해요. (That restaurant is famous as a 맛집.)

  • 맛집을 소개해 줄게요. (I will introduce a good restaurant to you.)


It's a term used with high regard, implying that the restaurant is not only known for its food but has become somewhat of a food destination or local gem.


It is often used in online reviews, blogs, or by word of mouth when sharing food recommendations.



Other words/phrases similar to 맛집:

  1. 핫플

    • Short for 핫 플레이스 (hot place), it refers to trendy or popular spots, often including restaurants, cafes, or bars. It is commonly used to describe places that are currently "in vogue" or trendy.

    • Example: 요즘 이 카페는 핫플이에요. (This cafe is a hot place these days.)

  2. 미식가

    • This word refers to a gourmet or food connoisseur — someone who has refined taste and expertise in food. While not a place, it's often used when talking about someone who seeks out or recommends high-quality food spots.

    • Example: 그 사람은 미식가라서 맛있는 곳을 잘 알아요. (That person is a food connoisseur, so they know great places.)

  3. 인생 맛집

    • Literally means "life's 맛집", referring to a restaurant that is considered to be so delicious that it’s a must-try in a lifetime. It’s often used for places that are considered the best in their category.

    • Example: 이 집은 인생 맛집이에요! (This place is a life-changing delicious spot!)

  4. 숨은 맛집

    • This phrase refers to a hidden gem or hidden delicious spot. It's used for places that are not well-known but offer fantastic food, often found off the beaten path.

    • Example: 이 동네에는 숨은 맛집이 많아요. (There are many hidden gems in this neighborhood.)

  5. 배꼽집

    • Refers to a place that has a "belly-button" of deliciousness. The idea is that the food is so good, it can make your stomach feel like it’s the center of attention. It’s an expression for very delicious food, usually at a restaurant.

    • Example: 배꼽집에서 저녁 먹었어요. (I had dinner at a place with amazing food.)

  6. 길거리 음식

    • Street food is a common term for casual, affordable, and delicious food found on the streets, especially in markets or food stalls. While it refers to a type of food rather than a specific place, it's a phrase often used in the context of good, local eats.

    • Example: 서울의 길거리 음식은 정말 맛있어요. (The street food in Seoul is really delicious.)

  7. 전통 맛집

    • Refers to a traditional 맛집, a place that specializes in authentic, traditional dishes, often passed down through generations.

    • Example: 이 식당은 전통 맛집이라서 전통 음식을 맛볼 수 있어요. (This restaurant is a traditional gem, so you can taste authentic dishes.)

  8. 요리 비책

    • Refers to a restaurant or chef’s special cooking secret or a signature dish that the place is famous for, often a hidden recipe that makes the food so good.

    • Example: 그 식당은 요리 비책이 있어요. (That restaurant has a special cooking secret.)



That's all for this post! If you enjoyed it, check on the lessons I have attached at the bottom!

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet
Add a rating
Post: Blog2_Post
bottom of page