delicious in korean
How to Say "Delicious" in Korean (맛있어 / 맛있어요): Casual & Polite
맛있어요
masisseoyo
Quick answer
Say 맛있어 (masisseo) to a close friend or 맛있어요 (masisseoyo) politely — both mean delicious or 'it tastes good' in Korean.
Common forms
| Register | Hangul | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| casual | 맛있어 | masisseo | Between friends or family when eating together — completely natural and warm. Often paired with 진짜 (really) or 너무 (so) for extra emphasis. |
| polite | 맛있어요 | masisseoyo | Polite form — use with a host, older family member, restaurant staff, or anyone you want to sincerely thank for the food. The most versatile and safe choice. |
| formal | 맛있습니다 | masitseumnida | Formal — used in food broadcasts, cooking competitions, restaurant reviews, or formal dining contexts. Rarely needed in everyday situations. |
| really delicious | 진짜 맛있어 | jinjja masisseo | 진짜 (really) is the most common intensifier for food compliments. 너무 맛있어 (neomu masisseo, so delicious) is equally natural and enthusiastic. |
How it changes by relationship
와, 진짜 맛있어! 어떻게 만들었어?
Wa, jinjja masisseo! Eotteoke mandeureosseo?
at a friend's place: Wow, this is really delicious! How did you make it? — Adding the follow-up question shows genuine appreciation and keeps the conversation going.
어머니, 정말 맛있어요!
Eomeoni, jeongmal masisseoyo!
at a family dinner (polite to elder): Mom, this is really delicious! — a warm and much-appreciated compliment. Koreans find food praise particularly meaningful; it honors the cook's effort.
음식이 진짜 맛있어요, 감사합니다.
Eumsigi jinjja masisseoyo, gamsahamnida.
in a restaurant (to staff): The food is really delicious, thank you — staff genuinely appreciate hearing this. Many Koreans make a point of saying it when leaving.
맛있다~ 😋
masitda~
casual reaction while eating: 맛있다 as a self-exclamation is extremely natural while enjoying food alone or with friends — it's the verbal equivalent of a satisfied smile.
Examples
이 김치찌개 너무 맛있어!
I gimchijjigae neomu masisseo!
This kimchi stew is so delicious!
잘 먹겠습니다! 맛있어 보여요.
Jal meokgesseumnida! Maisseo boyeoyo.
I'll eat well! It looks delicious.
정말 맛있습니다, 요리 잘 하시네요.
Jeongmal masitseumnida, yori jal hasineyo.
It's truly delicious, you cook really well.
Usage note
Saying 맛있어요 alone is a compliment, but the full Korean meal ritual matters more: you're expected to say 잘 먹겠습니다 (jal meokgesseumnida, I will eat well) before starting — a thank-you to whoever prepared the food — and 잘 먹었습니다 (jal meogeotseumnida, I ate well) after finishing. Skipping these in a Korean household is noticeably rude, more so than forgetting to say the food was delicious. Adding 맛있었어요 (it was delicious) after 잘 먹었습니다 is a natural and appreciated way to give a complete, heartfelt thank-you.
Mini quiz
What is the primary Korean phrase for "delicious" here?
FAQ
What do Koreans say before eating?
잘 먹겠습니다 (jal meokgesseumnida) — literally 'I will eat well' — is said before eating as a thank-you to the host or cook. It's a standard social expectation, not optional.
What do Koreans say after eating?
잘 먹었습니다 (jal meogeotseumnida) — 'I ate well / thank you for the meal.' This closes the meal and expresses gratitude. Very important in a Korean home.
How do you say 'this is so delicious' in Korean?
진짜 맛있어 (jinjja masisseo) casually or 정말 맛있어요 (jeongmal masisseoyo) politely. Both convey genuine enthusiasm.
What's the opposite — how do I say 'not tasty'?
맛없어 (mas-eopseo) casually or 맛이 없어요 (masi eopseoyo) politely. Be careful — saying this directly can come across as blunt or rude, especially to the person who cooked.
What does 맛집 mean?
맛집 (matjip) = a place (집) known for great taste (맛) — a go-to restaurant or beloved food spot. You'll see it constantly in K-drama descriptions, food vlogs, and travel guides.
Is 맛있어 used for drinks too?
Yes — 맛있어 works for anything you consume: food, drinks, even good coffee. 이 커피 진짜 맛있어 (i keopi jinjja masisseo) = This coffee is really good.