How to Order Less Spicy Korean Food: Phrases for Your Seoul Trip

To make a dish milder in Korea, say Deol maep-ge hae-ju-se-yo (덜 맵게 해 주세요), which means "less spicy, please". For no heat at all, try An maep-ge (안 맵게).

I run Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu (Eonju branch) in Yeoksam, Seoul, and we offer spicy, clear and perilla broths. This is general information, and not every dish can be made milder.

Four phrases for spice

1. Deol maep-ge hae-ju-se-yo (덜 맵게 해 주세요): "Less spicy, please"
2. An maep-ge hae-ju-se-yo (안 맵게 해 주세요): "Not spicy, please"
3. Maep-ji an-eun geo isseo-yo? (맵지 않은 거 있어요?): "Do you have something not spicy?"
4. Mul jom ju-se-yo (물 좀 주세요): "Water, please"

Some dishes are cooked with the sauce already in them, so a kitchen may say it cannot make them milder. In that case ask for a different dish.

Pick the broth, not just the spice level

At a shabu-shabu place the broth is the spice decision. You choose it once and it carries through the whole meal.

At my restaurant the spicy broth is the hottest. The clear and perilla broths are the easier choices if someone in your group does not like heat.

How to handle a mixed group

• Choose the mild broth if even one person avoids spice
• Order a cold side dish or rice for balance
• Ask for water early, since staff will not always bring it
• Skip anything labelled spicy if you are unsure

Stir-fried and soup dishes in red sauce are usually the spicier items on a Korean menu. Grilled meat and clear soups are generally milder.

If it is too hot

Ask for water with Mul jom ju-se-yo (물 좀 주세요). Rice, a plain egg dish or a cold side dish also helps calm the heat.

Milk or sugary drinks work for some people, but the best answer is to order a milder broth first.

What "spicy" means in Korea

Korean spice is often a slow burn from red pepper, and it builds as you eat. The first bite may be fine and the fifth is the one that surprises you.

So if you are not sure, start with the mild option and add heat later. It is much easier to make a dish hotter than to cool it down.

Ask the staff how spicy a dish is when you order. Most are happy to tell you in simple English or with a gesture.

Practical examples

At a barbecue place, you can skip the spicy dipping sauce and use salt or plain sesame oil instead. At a noodle shop, ask whether there is a clear soup version of the same dish.

At a hot pot or shabu-shabu place, order the clear broth first and keep a small bowl of the spicy sauce on the side to dip. That way you control the heat without changing the whole pot.

FAQ

Can every dish be made less spicy?

No. Some dishes come with the sauce built in, so ask for an alternative.

What does maeun mean?

Maeun (매운) means spicy. Maep-da (맵다) means "it is spicy".

What is a safe choice for non-spicy eaters at your restaurant?

The clear broth or the perilla broth. Please call 070-4647-2467 if you have an allergy question.

한국어 요약

한국에서 덜 맵게 먹으려면 "덜 맵게 해 주세요"라고 말하면 돼요. 샤브샤브 가게에서는 국물이 맵기를 정하니까 맑은 국물이나 들깨 국물을 고르는 게 쉬워요. 안 맵게 안내할 수 없는 메뉴도 있다고 같이 적었어요.

한국어로 더 보려면 네이버 블로그 blog.naver.com/ruistan

About my restaurant

If you want a one-pot meal with a milder option, come and eat at mine and pick the clear or perilla broth.

Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu, Eonju branch (등촌샤브칼국수 언주점)

Address: Yeoksam-dong 670-18, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 2F (서울 강남구 역삼동 670-18 2층). Look for BEARS TACO on the 1st floor. We are one floor up.

Getting there: walking distance from Yeoksam Station (Line 2).

The meal: one pot, four courses. Beef shabu-shabu first, then vegetables, then noodles (sari), and fried rice cooked in the last of the broth.

Maps: Google Maps / Naver Map. Please check opening hours on the map before you come.

Phone: 070-4647-2467

First-timer guide: Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu near Yeoksam Station: Korean Shabu-Shabu Guide

More Seoul food & behind-the-scenes on Instagram @todoho