← Guides · By Ray Lei · Published 2026-11-14

How do you read a Korean menu (인분, 공기밥, 사리 and common dish words)?

Q: What does 인분 mean on a Korean menu?

인분 (inbun) is the counter word for person or serving. It appears on Korean menus as a portion size indicator: 1인분 (il-inbun) means one serving for one person, 2인분 (i-inbun) means two servings for two people. At Korean BBQ restaurants, most dishes have a minimum order requirement — typically 2인분, meaning you must order at least two servings. Seeing 2인분 이상 주문 on a menu means a minimum of two servings must be ordered.

Q: What is 공기밥 on a Korean menu?

공기밥 (gonggi bap) is a serving of steamed rice in an individual bowl. 공기 means air (referring to the bowl's airtight quality) and 밥 means rice. At most Korean restaurants, a serving of rice is charged separately as 공기밥. It is typically a small additional charge per person. Some set meals (세트) include 공기밥. If you do not see rice as part of your dish, you will likely need to order 공기밥 separately.

Q: What is 사리 at a Korean restaurant?

사리 (sari) refers to an additional portion of noodles that can be added to a hot pot, stew, or soup dish. At Korean BBQ restaurants, ordering 사리 adds glass noodles, udon, or ramen noodles to the remaining broth or sauce at the end of the meal. It is typically offered as a charged add-on (추가) and must be specifically ordered. Some restaurants may ask if you want 사리 추가 (additional noodles) when you are near the end of eating the main dish.

Q: What does 추가 mean on a Korean menu?

추가 (chuga) means extra or additional — indicating an additional charge or add-on option. When you see 추가 on a menu next to an item, it means you can order that item as an extra for an additional cost. For example, 고기 추가 means extra meat at an additional charge. 공기밥 추가 means an additional rice bowl for an extra charge. It is similar to 'add-on' or 'supplement' in English menu terminology.

Q: What does 세트 mean on a Korean menu?

세트 (seteu, from English 'set') means a set meal — a combination of dishes sold together at a single price. At Korean restaurants, a 세트 typically bundles a main dish with rice (공기밥), a stew (찌개), and sometimes a small dessert or drink. Set meals are often more economical than ordering each component separately and are a common choice for solo diners who want a complete meal without over-ordering.

This is a focused vocabulary reference for Korean menu words you will encounter frequently. 인분 means serving/person. 공기밥 is an individual rice bowl (usually a small extra charge). 사리 is a noodle add-on. 추가 means extra charge. 세트 is a set meal. For the full Korean menu reading guide, see the Korean menu reading guide.

Korean menus use a set of recurring terms that do not map directly onto English menu conventions. Understanding these terms unlocks menus that would otherwise be opaque — particularly at Korean BBQ restaurants (where portion sizing and add-ons are key parts of the experience) and at jjigae (stew) restaurants where noodle refills and rice add-ons are common.

This guide is a vocabulary reference — 25 key terms organized by category. For a broader introduction to ordering at Korean restaurants from scratch, the Korean menu reading guide covers the full picture including dish types, ordering process, and restaurant etiquette.

Korean menu vocabulary: 25 key terms

Korean	Romanization	Meaning	Notes
인분	Inbun	Serving / person	2인분 = for 2 people; most Korean BBQ dishes require minimum 2인분
공기밥	Gonggi bap	Individual bowl of steamed rice	Usually charged separately; ask if included in your set
사리	Sari	Noodle add-on (refill)	Added to hot pot or stew at the end of the meal; usually an extra charge
리필	Ripil	Refill	Often seen on banchan: 리필 가능 means refill available
세트	Seteu	Set meal	Combination of dishes at a bundled price; often includes rice and stew
추가	Chuga	Extra / additional charge	고기 추가 = extra meat; 공기밥 추가 = extra rice bowl
반찬	Banchan	Side dishes	Complimentary small plates served at every Korean meal; refillable
오늘의 메뉴	Oneul-ui menyu	Today's menu / daily special	Seasonal or daily changing dishes
추천	Chucheon	Recommended	Chef's recommendation or restaurant specialty
소 / 중 / 대	So / Jung / Dae	Small / Medium / Large	Size options; also used for spice level in some restaurants
국물	Gungmul	Broth / soup (liquid)	국물 있는 (gungmul inneun) = with broth; often used to describe soup-based dishes
볶음	Bokkeum	Stir-fried	김치볶음밥 = kimchi fried rice; 낙지볶음 = stir-fried octopus
구이	Gui	Grilled	삼겹살구이 = grilled pork belly; 생선구이 = grilled fish
찜	Jjim	Braised or steamed	갈비찜 = braised short ribs; 계란찜 = steamed eggs
국	Guk	Soup (lighter broth-based)	미역국 = seaweed soup; 뭇국 = radish soup
찌개	Jjigae	Stew (thicker, richer than 국)	된장찌개 = soybean paste stew; 순두부찌개 = soft tofu stew
덮밥	Deopbap	Rice bowl with topping	제육덮밥 = pork on rice; 오징어덮밥 = squid on rice
비빔	Bibim	Mixed	비빔밥 = mixed rice bowl; 비빔냉면 = spicy mixed cold noodles
냉	Naeng	Cold	냉면 = cold noodles; 냉국 = cold soup
튀김	Twigim	Fried (battered)	새우튀김 = battered shrimp; 고구마튀김 = battered sweet potato
전	Jeon	Savory pancake	해물파전 = seafood and green onion pancake; 김치전 = kimchi pancake
무침	Muchim	Seasoned / dressed (cold side dish)	콩나물무침 = seasoned bean sprouts; 오징어무침 = seasoned squid salad
1인분 추가	Il-inbun chuga	Add one additional serving	Used to order extra portions beyond the minimum; listed as an add-on
포장	Pojang	Takeout / to go	포장해 주세요 = please pack this to go
맵지 않게	Maepji anhge	Not spicy	Request to reduce spice level; also see 순한 맛 (mild version) on some menus

Practical notes

인분 is about minimum order quantities, not just serving size. At Korean BBQ restaurants, most grillable meats are listed with a minimum of 2인분. You cannot order 1인분 of galbi or samgyeopsal — you must order at least two servings. For solo diners, some Korean BBQ restaurants offer 1인분 dining, but this is specifically noted on the menu.
공기밥 is almost always a separate charge. Unlike in some other Asian cuisines where rice is included, at a Korean restaurant, steamed rice (공기밥) is typically charged per bowl. It is a small charge but expect it to appear on your bill.
사리 is offered at the end of the main dish. At hot pot restaurants, the server may offer 사리 when the main ingredients are almost finished. The noodles cook in the remaining broth and are considered a separate mini-course.
볶음밥 at the end of a hot pot. Some Korean hot pot restaurants offer a fried rice (볶음밥, bokkeum bap) made in the remaining sauce at the end of the meal — the server mixes rice with the leftover sauce on the grill. This may be included or charged as 추가.
To scan a Korean menu and see what each dish is before ordering, ChefBear can translate Korean menus and explain each term.

Frequently asked questions

What does 인분 mean on a Korean menu?

인분 (inbun) is the counter word for serving or person. 2인분 means two servings for two people. At Korean BBQ restaurants, most dishes require a minimum order of 2인분.

What is 공기밥 on a Korean menu?

공기밥 is a serving of steamed rice in an individual bowl. At most Korean restaurants it is charged separately per person. It is typically a small additional charge. If your set meal (세트) includes rice, it will say so explicitly.

What is 사리 at a Korean restaurant?

사리 is a noodle add-on — an additional portion of noodles added to a hot pot or stew at the end of the meal. It is usually an extra charge. The server may offer it when the main ingredients are nearly finished.

What does 추가 mean on a Korean menu?

추가 means extra or additional — indicating an add-on that carries an additional charge. 고기 추가 means extra meat for an extra charge; 공기밥 추가 means an additional rice bowl.

What does 세트 mean on a Korean menu?

세트 (from English "set") means a set meal — a combination of dishes bundled at a single price. A 세트 typically includes a main dish, rice (공기밥), and a small stew (찌개). It is often more economical than ordering components separately.