MENU TRANSLATION · SOUTH KOREA
Read a Korean menu in English, from stew to barbecue
When you translate a Korean menu into English, keep the dish name, serving count and price together. Piggy Nose can explain a photographed menu in English while retaining the original Korean names. This helps you ask about the right dish and avoid treating a shared pot or a meat portion as a complete individual meal.
Menu examples: from local text to an informed choice
These labels are useful when comparing Korean dishes and ordering formats. They are general explanations, not a statement about any particular restaurant’s recipe.
| On the menu | In plain English | Before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| 김치찌개kimchi-jjigae | Kimchi stew; the other ingredients depend on the version served. | Check the listed meat, seafood or tofu and whether rice is included. |
| 비빔밥bibimbap | Rice mixed with assorted toppings and seasoning. | Confirm the toppings and whether sauce is served separately. |
| 삼겹살samgyeopsal | Pork belly, often offered for tabletop grilling. | Look for the weight, price per portion and minimum number of portions. |
| 2인분 이상2 inbun isang | Two or more servings. | Confirm the minimum order and whether the displayed price is per serving. |
Do not crop out the serving notes
A small note beside a price can change how much food you need to order. Include grams, person counts and minimum-serving labels in the photo. For example, a two-serving minimum and a per-serving price should not be mistaken for one shared dish at the displayed price.
Build a barbecue order from the actual menu
Ask the assistant a specific question such as “Two people, budget 50,000 KRW: which meat portions and sides on this menu fit?” Then check portion weights, minimum orders and extras with the server. Recommendations use the scanned menu and can miss rules that were not photographed.
Ask what comes with a stew or set
Do not assume that rice, side dishes or refills are included based on another restaurant you visited. Read the set description and ask the staff. VISITKOREA restaurant listings distinguish individual dishes, set menus and serving counts, which is a useful reminder to keep those labels in your scan.
Read past the main ingredient
A translated title is only the start. Check descriptions for toppings, broth and sauces, and ask directly about anything important to you. Reference images help you picture a dish but cannot confirm the actual recipe, spice level or portion at this restaurant.
Try your own menu, before you order.
10 free scans a day after sign-in. No download or card required for free scans. Internet required.
Continue with GoogleQuestions before your trip
Can I translate Korean Hangul into English from a menu photo?
Yes. Choose English, sign in and upload or photograph the Korean menu. Piggy Nose reads the printed menu language and returns English dish explanations with original names and prices. Check unclear text and numbers against the photo.
Can I use the menu translator for a solo meal in Korea?
Yes. Tell the assistant you are dining alone and ask for suggestions from the scanned menu. Check minimum portions with staff, particularly for shared pots or barbecue. The app cannot override a restaurant’s order requirements.
Further reading
Official travel resources for the food and ordering context in this guide; they do not endorse Piggy Nose.