Asking for Recommendations: 'What do you like?'

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TL;DR 🦄

🙏 추천해 주세요 [chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo] — "please recommend (something)"

🍽️ 뭐가 맛있어요? [mwo-ga ma-si-sseo-yo?] — "what's good/tasty here?"

🔥 여기 인기 메뉴가 뭐예요? [yeo-gi in-gi me-nyu-ga mwo-ye-yo?] — "what's the popular item here?"

🤔 뭘 골라야 할지 모르겠어요 [mwol go-ra-ya hal-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo] — "I don't know what to choose"

👍 그럼 그걸로 할게요 [geu-reom geu-geol-lo hal-ge-yo] — "then I'll go with that"

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🎧 Iru Helper Note — Practice asking for suggestions at the Korean Helper Widgets — great for restaurants, cafes, and shops! 🌟

🌈 The Big Picture

When you're not sure what to choose — at a restaurant, cafe, or store — 추천해 주세요 ("please recommend something") is your best friend. You can make it more specific: 맛있는 거 추천해 주세요 ("recommend something delicious") or 인기 있는 메뉴 추천해 주세요 ("recommend a popular item"). 🌟

🎭 Asking and Responding

Useful question patterns: 여기 뭐가 맛있어요? ("what's good here?"), 제일 잘 나가는 게 뭐예요? ("what's the best seller?"). When someone recommends something, respond with 오, 그래요? 그럼 그걸로 할게요 ("oh really? then I'll go with that") or ask a follow-up: 그게 좀 매워요? ("is that a bit spicy?"). 🎭

🧳 Essential Phrase Kit

추천해 주세요 [chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo] — please recommend something 🙏

뭐가 맛있어요? [mwo-ga ma-si-sseo-yo?] — what's tasty? 🍽️

제일 잘 나가는 게 뭐예요? [je-il jal na-ga-neun ge mwo-ye-yo?] — what's the best seller? 🔥

여기 처음 왔는데, 추천 좀 해 주세요 [yeo-gi cheo-eum wan-neun-de, chu-cheon jom hae ju-se-yo] — this is my first time here, please recommend something 🆕

단 거 좋아하면 이거 어때요? [dan geo jo-a-ha-myeon i-geo eo-ttae-yo?] — if you like sweet things, how about this? 🍰

이거 어떠세요? [i-geo eo-tteo-se-yo?] — how about this one? (polite, used by staff) 💁

그럼 그걸로 할게요 [geu-reom geu-geol-lo hal-ge-yo] — then I'll go with that 👍

다른 추천도 있어요? [da-reun chu-cheon-do i-sseo-yo?] — do you have any other recommendations? 🔄

뭘 골라야 할지 모르겠어요 [mwol go-ra-ya hal-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo] — I don't know what to choose 🤔

강력 추천이에요! [gang-nyeok chu-cheon-i-e-yo!] — I highly recommend it! 💪

🛠️ Putting It Together

A: 여기 처음 왔는데, 추천 좀 해 주세요. B: 그럼 이 가게는 김치찌개가 진짜 유명해요. [A: yeo-gi cheo-eum wan-neun-de, chu-cheon jom hae ju-se-yo. B: geu-reom i ga-ge-neun gim-chi-jji-gae-ga jin-jja yu-myeong-hae-yo.]

A: "This is my first time here, please recommend something." B: "Then, this place is really famous for its kimchi stew." 🍲 — 유명하다 = "famous."

A: 단 거 좋아하면 이 케이크 어때요? 제일 잘 나가요. B: 오, 좋아요. 그럼 그걸로 할게요. [A: dan geo jo-a-ha-myeon i ke-i-keu eo-ttae-yo? je-il jal na-ga-yo. B: o, jo-a-yo. geu-reom geu-geol-lo hal-ge-yo.]

A: "If you like sweet things, how about this cake? It's the best seller." B: "Oh, great. Then I'll go with that." 🍰 — -(으)면 = "if."

A: 메뉴가 너무 많아서 뭘 골라야 할지 모르겠어요. B: 그럼 제가 자주 시키는 거 추천해 드릴게요. [A: me-nyu-ga neo-mu ma-na-seo mwol go-ra-ya hal-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo. B: geu-reom je-ga ja-ju si-ki-neun geo chu-cheon-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.]

A: "There's so much on the menu, I don't know what to choose." B: "Then let me recommend what I order often." 📋 — -아/어 드릴게요 = polite "I'll do [this] for you."

🗣️ Speaking Practice: Mini Dialogue

Read both roles out loud, then switch roles!

민수: 여기 자주 오세요? 저는 처음이라 뭘 시켜야 할지 모르겠어요.

[Minsu: yeo-gi ja-ju o-se-yo? jeo-neun cheo-eu-mi-ra mwol si-kyeo-ya hal-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo.]

Minsu: "Do you come here often? It's my first time, so I don't know what to order."

지은: 네, 자주 와요. 여기는 파스타가 진짜 맛있어요. 그리고 샐러드도 인기 있어요.

[Jieun: ne, ja-ju wa-yo. yeo-gi-neun pa-seu-ta-ga jin-jja ma-si-sseo-yo. geu-ri-go sael-leo-deu-do in-gi i-sseo-yo.]

Jieun: "Yes, I come often. The pasta here is really good. And the salad is popular too."

민수: 오, 그럼 파스타로 할게요. 혹시 매운 거 있어요?

[Minsu: o, geu-reom pa-seu-ta-ro hal-ge-yo. hok-si mae-un geo i-sseo-yo?]

Minsu: "Oh, then I'll go with the pasta. Is there a spicy one by any chance?"

지은: 네, 이 메뉴는 좀 매워요. 매운 거 괜찮으세요?

[Jieun: ne, i me-nyu-neun jom mae-wo-yo. mae-un geo gwaen-cha-neu-se-yo?]

Jieun: "Yes, this one's a bit spicy. Are you okay with spicy food?"

민수: 네, 좋아요! 강력 추천이라니 한번 먹어볼게요.

[Minsu: ne, jo-a-yo! gang-nyeok chu-cheon-i-ra-ni han-beon meo-geo-bol-ge-yo.]

Minsu: "Yes, sounds great! Since it's highly recommended, I'll give it a try."

🧭 Speaking Tip

혹시 ("by any chance") softens questions: 혹시 매운 거 있어요? sounds gentler than 매운 거 있어요?. Also, -(으)ㄹ게요 ("I'll go with...") is the standard way to finalize your choice when ordering. 🌟

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

❌ Saying just 추천 alone (it's a noun, "recommendation") → ✅ Use the verb form 추천해 주세요 or 추천해 주실 수 있어요? for a request.

❌ Asking 뭐가 좋아요? too vaguely → ✅ Be specific: 단 거 추천해 주세요 ("recommend something sweet") gets a better answer.

❌ Forgetting -(으)로 할게요 when finalizing a choice → ✅ This is the natural "I'll have/go with..." phrase, much more common than 주세요 alone in this context.

❌ Confusing 인기 있다 (popular) with 유명하다 (famous) → ✅ Both work, but 유명하다 implies wider/longer-term reputation.

Now you'll never be stuck choosing again — 골라봐요! 🌟✨

Try this exercise

Instructions: Practice asking for and giving recommendations.

1. Translate: "Please recommend something delicious." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

맛있는 거 추천해 주세요 [ma-si-neun geo chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo]

2. Fill in: 제일 잘 ＿＿＿＿ 게 뭐예요? ("What's the best seller?")

Answer

나가는 [na-ga-neun]

3. Translate: "I don't know what to choose." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

뭘 골라야 할지 모르겠어요 [mwol go-ra-ya hal-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo]

4. True or False: 인기 있다 means "to be popular."

Answer

True

5. Translate: "Then I'll go with that." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

그럼 그걸로 할게요 [geu-reom geu-geol-lo hal-ge-yo]

6. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿ 매운 거 있어요? ("Is there a spicy one, by any chance?")

Answer

혹시 [hok-si]

7. Translate: "Do you have any other recommendations?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

다른 추천도 있어요? [da-reun chu-cheon-do i-sseo-yo?]

8. True or False: 강력 추천 means "highly recommended."

Answer

True

9. Fill in: 이 가게는 김치찌개가 진짜 ＿＿＿＿. ("This place is really famous for kimchi stew.")

Answer

유명해요 [yu-myeong-hae-yo]

10. Practice saying this out loud: 여기 처음 왔는데, 인기 메뉴 추천해 주실 수 있어요? 매운 거 좋아해요. [yeo-gi cheo-eum wan-neun-de, in-gi me-nyu chu-cheon-hae ju-sil su i-sseo-yo? mae-un geo jo-a-hae-yo.]

Answer

"This is my first time here, could you recommend a popular item? I like spicy food." → Polite request with a preference!

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Vocabulary Box

추천해 주세요 → please recommend

인기 있다 → to be popular

유명하다 → to be famous

잘 나가다 → to sell well

혹시 → by any chance

-(으)ㄹ게요 → I'll [do]

골라야 할지 모르겠어요 → don't know what to choose

강력 → strongly

처음 → first time

메뉴 → menu

Pitfalls 💡

추천 alone isn't a request

be specific

-(으)로 할게요 to finalize

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Want more reps? Visit the Practice Hub when you're ready! 🚀

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🎯 Practice Hub — Asking for Recommendations

안녕하세요! [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] Let's never be stuck choosing again! 🌟✨

🔊 Audio reminder: Use the Korean Helper Widgets to hear any phrase.

Exercise 1 — At a Restaurant 🍽️

A. Translate: "What do you recommend here?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

여기 뭐 추천해요? [yeo-gi mwo chu-cheon-hae-yo?]

B. Translate: "This is my first time, so please recommend something." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

처음이라 추천 좀 해 주세요 [cheo-eu-mi-ra chu-cheon jom hae ju-se-yo]

C. Fill in: 이 가게는 ＿＿＿＿가 유명해요. ("This place is famous for its bulgogi.")

Answer

불고기 [bul-go-gi]

D. True or False: 시키다 can mean "to order (food)."

Answer

True

E. Translate: "I'll have what you're having." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

저도 같은 걸로 할게요 [jeo-do ga-teun geol-lo hal-ge-yo]

F. Fill in: 이거 ＿＿＿＿ 맛있어요? ("Is this really delicious?")

Answer

진짜 [jin-jja]

G. True or False: 같은 걸로 할게요 means "I'll have the same one."

Answer

True

H. Translate: "Is the spicy one popular?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

매운 게 인기 있어요? [mae-un ge in-gi i-sseo-yo?]

I. Fill in: 매운 거 ＿＿＿＿ 잘 못 먹어요. ("I can't really handle spicy food.")

Answer

별로 [byeol-lo]

J. Practice saying this out loud: 여기 처음 왔는데 뭐가 맛있어요? 매운 건 잘 못 먹어서, 안 매운 거로 추천해 주세요. [yeo-gi cheo-eum wan-neun-de mwo-ga ma-si-sseo-yo? mae-un geon jal mot meo-geo-seo, an mae-un geo-ro chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.]

Answer

"This is my first time here, what's good? I can't handle spicy food well, so please recommend something not spicy." → Specific and polite!

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Quick Reference:

추천해 주세요/유명해요

같은 걸로 할게요

안 매운 거로

Exercise 2 — At a Cafe or Shop ☕

A. Translate: "What kind of coffee do you recommend?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

어떤 커피 추천해요? [eo-tteon ko-pi chu-cheon-hae-yo?]

B. Translate: "Is this the best-selling drink?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

이게 제일 잘 나가는 음료예요? [i-ge je-il jal na-ga-neun eu-ryo-ye-yo?]

C. Fill in: 단 거 ＿＿＿＿ 이 음료 어때요? ("If you like sweet things, how about this drink?")

Answer

좋아하면 [jo-a-ha-myeon]

D. True or False: 음료 means "beverage/drink."

Answer

True

E. Translate: "I'll take your recommendation." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

추천해 주신 걸로 할게요 [chu-cheon-hae ju-sin geol-lo hal-ge-yo]

F. Fill in: 선물용으로 ＿＿＿＿ 게 있어요? ("Is there something good for a gift?")

Answer

좋은 [jo-eun]

G. True or False: 선물용 means "for gift purposes."

Answer

True

H. Translate: "What's good for someone who doesn't drink coffee?" ＿＿＿＿

Answer

커피 안 마시는 사람한테 좋은 거 뭐예요? [ko-pi an ma-si-neun sa-ram-han-te jo-eun geo mwo-ye-yo?]

I. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿ 한테 좋은 거 있어요? means "is there something good for [someone]?"

Answer

-한테 [han-te]

J. Practice saying this out loud: 친구 선물을 사고 싶은데, 선물용으로 좋은 거 추천해 주실 수 있어요? 너무 비싸지 않은 걸로요. [chin-gu seon-mu-reul sa-go si-peun-de, seon-mul-yong-eu-ro jo-eun geo chu-cheon-hae ju-sil su i-sseo-yo? neo-mu bi-ssa-ji a-neun geol-lo-yo.]

Answer

"I want to buy a gift for a friend, could you recommend something good for a gift? Something not too expensive." → Shopping with budget in mind!

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Quick Reference:

추천해 주신 걸로 할게요

선물용/-한테 좋은 거

너무 비싸지 않은 걸로요

Exercise 3 — Full Recommendation Conversations 🗣️

A. Ask a friend what's worth watching these days. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

요즘 볼만한 거 있어요? [yo-jeum bol-man-han geo i-sseo-yo?]

B. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿한 영화인데, 진짜 재밌어요. ("It's a [type] movie, but it's really fun.")

Answer

(예시) 코미디 [ko-mi-di] — comedy

C. True or False: 볼만하다 means "worth watching."

Answer

True

D. Translate: "I'll definitely check it out." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

꼭 한번 볼게요 [kkok han-beon bol-ge-yo]

E. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿ 한번 봐 보세요. ("Definitely give it a try.")

Answer

꼭 [kkok]

F. True or False: 꼭 means "definitely/for sure."

Answer

True

G. Translate: "Thanks for the recommendation, I'll trust your judgment." ＿＿＿＿

Answer

추천 감사해요, 믿고 볼게요 [chu-cheon gam-sa-hae-yo, mit-go bol-ge-yo]

H. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿ 볼게요. means "I'll trust [you] and watch/try it."

Answer

믿고 [mit-go]

I. True or False: 믿고 가다/보다/먹다 means "to trust and go/watch/eat — i.e., go with someone's recommendation confidently."

Answer

True

J. Practice saying this out loud: 요즘 볼만한 드라마 있어요? 추천해 주시면 믿고 볼게요. 강력 추천이면 더 좋아요! [yo-jeum bol-man-han deu-ra-ma i-sseo-yo? chu-cheon-hae ju-si-myeon mit-go bol-ge-yo. gang-nyeok chu-cheon-i-myeon deo jo-a-yo!]

Answer

"Is there a drama worth watching these days? If you recommend one, I'll trust your judgment and watch it. Even better if it's highly recommended!" → A full, enthusiastic ask!

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Everyday Cheat Sheet:

볼만한 거 있어요?

꼭 한번 봐 보세요

믿고 볼게요/강력 추천

🎉 잘했어요! [jal-haess-eo-yo] Now you can confidently ask for and respond to recommendations — 화이팅! 🌟✨