Korean for Packing Food to Go: Say "Sauce on the Side" So It Survives the Trip
Learn to ask for sauce or seasoning separately when packing Korean food to go, so your container stays clean on the train. Master 소스 따로, 양념 따로, and the polite request 소스는 따로 포장해 주세요.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you buy fried chicken, 회 (raw fish), or any dressed dish to eat later on a train, the last thing you want is sauce soaking everything. In Korean, the key phrase is 따로, meaning 'separately.' You'll learn to ask for sauce or seasoning on the side using polite request patterns. This lesson gives you reusable sentences for any packed food situation, so you can keep your meal intact until you're ready to eat.
By the end, you can…
- ask for sauce to be packed separately using 소스는 따로 포장해 주세요.
- specify that seasoning or sauce should be separate with 양념 따로 or 소스 따로.
- politely request extra containers or bags for sauces when needed.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
소스는 따로 포장해 주세요.
Please pack the sauce separately.
so-seu-neun tta-ro po-jang-hae ju-se-yo
Use this when ordering takeout or asking staff to pack your food. It clearly requests that sauce not be poured over the dish.
양념은 따로 주세요.
Please give the seasoning separately.
yang-nyeo-meun tta-ro ju-se-yo
양념 refers to seasoned sauce or marinade, common with fried chicken or spicy dishes. Use this to keep the sauce on the side.
소스 따로, 양념 따로 부탁드려요.
Sauce separately, seasoning separately, please.
so-seu tta-ro, yang-nyeom tta-ro bu-tak-deu-ryeo-yo
A polite way to emphasize both. 부탁드려요 is a soft request, good for busy staff.
따로 담을 통 주시겠어요?
Could you give me a separate container?
tta-ro da-meul tong ju-si-get-eo-yo
Ask for an extra small container if you want to pack the sauce yourself. 통 means container or bowl.
국물은 안 넣어 주세요.
Please don't add the broth.
gung-mu-reun an neo-eo ju-se-yo
For dishes with liquid, like some 회 or soups, ask to leave out the broth to prevent leaking.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 'Noun + 은/는 따로 + Verb' means 'as for Noun, do it separately.' For example, 소스는 따로 포장해 주세요 (Please pack the sauce separately) or 양념은 따로 주세요 (Please give the seasoning separately). The particle 은/는 marks the item you want separate, and 따로 means 'separately.' You can swap the noun: 국물은 따로 주세요 (Please give the broth separately). This pattern works for any food component you want kept apart.
When to use it
Use these phrases when ordering takeout or asking staff to pack your food. They are especially useful for fried chicken (후라이드 치킨), 회 (raw fish), or any dish with sauce that might soak the container. For example, if you're taking food on a train, say: 소스는 따로 포장해 주세요. If the dish has both sauce and seasoning, you can say: 소스 따로, 양념 따로 부탁드려요. Always use polite endings like 주세요 or 부탁드려요 with staff.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
어서 오세요. 주문하시겠어요?
Welcome. Would you like to order?eo-seo o-se-yo. ju-mun-ha-si-get-eo-yo?네, 후라이드 치킨 한 마리 포장해 주세요. 그리고 소스는 따로 포장해 주세요.
Yes, please pack one fried chicken to go. And please pack the sauce separately.ne, hu-ra-i-deu chi-kin han ma-ri po-jang-hae ju-se-yo. geu-ri-go so-seu-neun tta-ro po-jang-hae ju-se-yo.네, 알겠습니다. 소스는 따로 작은 통에 담아 드릴게요.
Okay, understood. I'll put the sauce in a separate small container for you.ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. so-seu-neun tta-ro ja-geun tong-e da-ma deu-ril-ge-yo.감사합니다. 국물은 안 넣어 주세요.
Thank you. Please don't add the broth.gam-sa-ham-ni-da. gung-mu-reun an neo-eo ju-se-yo.A little context goes a long way
In Korea, takeout food is often packed with sauce already mixed in. Asking for it 따로 (separately) is common and not rude, especially for fried chicken or 회. Staff may provide small containers or packets. Use polite language (주세요, 부탁드려요) to keep the request friendly. If you're unsure, you can simply say 소스 따로 주세요, which is still polite.
One thing to watch for
Using 따로 as a verb, like 소스를 따로해 주세요.
Try this instead: 따로 is an adverb, so it should modify the verb. Say 소스는 따로 포장해 주세요 or 소스는 따로 주세요. For example, 소스는 따로 주세요 is correct.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask for the sauce to be packed separately?
Show a sample answer
소스는 따로 포장해 주세요.
This uses the pattern Noun + 은/는 따로 + Verb. You could also say 소스 따로 주세요, which is slightly less formal but still polite.
2What phrase would you use to ask for a separate container for the sauce?
Show a sample answer
따로 담을 통 주시겠어요?
This asks for a separate container. Another option is 작은 통 주시겠어요? (Could you give me a small container?) Both are polite.
3How do you say 'Please don't add the broth'?
Show a sample answer
국물은 안 넣어 주세요.
This uses 안 넣어 주세요 to request no broth. You could also say 국물 빼 주세요, which is equally polite.
Remember the key phrase 소스는 따로 포장해 주세요 to keep your food from getting soggy. Use 따로 with the item you want separate, and always finish with a polite request like 주세요.
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