How to Order Coffee in Korean
10-Second Answer
Ordering coffee in Korean follows a short, predictable script: name the drink, specify hot or iced (Koreans drink iced coffee even in winter — 아아 is a whole cultural phenomenon), choose for here or to go, and pay. A handful of phrases cover the entire café interaction.
Ordering the Drink
아메리카노 한 잔 주세요.
amerikano han jan juseyo.
One Americano, please.
잔 (jan) — counter word for a cup/glass.
아이스로 주세요.
aiseuro juseyo.
Iced, please.
따뜻한 걸로 주세요.
ttatteutan geollo juseyo.
A hot one, please.
아아 and 뜨아: The Famous Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Full form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 아아 (a-a) | 아이스 아메리카노 | Iced Americano |
| 뜨아 (tteu-a) | 따뜻한 아메리카노 | Hot Americano |
아아 is genuinely a cultural symbol — Korea's love of iced Americanos even in freezing winter is a running joke and a real, well-documented habit. Ordering "아아" alone at most cafés will be understood instantly.
For Here or To Go
먹고 갈게요.
meokgo galgeyo.
I'll have it here.
Literally: I'll eat/drink and go.
테이크아웃 할게요.
teikeuaut halgeyo.
I'll take it to go.
테이크아웃 — a direct English loanword, "takeout."
Size and Extras
라지 사이즈로 주세요.
raji saijeuro juseyo.
Large size, please.
샷 추가해 주세요.
syat chugahae juseyo.
Please add an extra shot.
얼음 적게 주세요.
eoreum jeokge juseyo.
Less ice, please.
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Not knowing 아아/뜨아
These shortcuts are extremely common in real ordering — worth memorizing even though the full forms also work fine.
Mistake #2 — Forgetting to specify hot/iced
Unlike some countries where "coffee" defaults to hot, Korean cafés generally expect you to specify — staff will often ask if you don't.
Mini Quiz
1. What does 아아 mean?
2. How do you say "I'll take it to go"?
3. What does 뜨아 stand for?
Related Knowledge
Learn Next
How to Ask for Directions in Korean
Coffee in hand — now the phrases for finding your way to the next stop.
Will you remember this tomorrow?
Add it to your review queue — the daily session brings it back before you forget.
Start today's study →Last updated: 2026-08-10 · Written and reviewed by a native Korean speaker.