Korean for Takeaway Noodles: Asking for Broth and Noodles Packed Separately
Learn to say 국물 따로, 면 따로 and 국물은 따로 담아 주세요 so your takeaway noodles stay firm, not soggy.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you order noodle soup to go in Korea, the noodles can soften in the broth before you get home. The practical fix is to ask for the broth and noodles in separate containers. This lesson teaches three core pieces: 국물 따로 (broth separately), 면 따로 (noodles separately), and the polite request 국물은 따로 담아 주세요 (please put the broth separately). You will use these with 냉면, 잔치국수, and udon-style takeaway. The focus is on speaking clearly and politely at the counter or on the phone, not on memorizing menu vocabulary.
By the end, you can…
- ask for broth and noodles to be packed separately using 국물 따로 and 면 따로.
- make a polite request with 국물은 따로 담아 주세요.
- check whether the shop can pack them apart using 따로 담을 수 있어요?
- respond to a follow-up question about containers or timing.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
국물은 따로 담아 주세요.
Please put the broth separately.
guk-mul-eun tta-ro da-ma ju-se-yo
Polite request at the counter or on the phone. Use when you want the broth in its own container.
면은 따로 담아 주세요.
Please put the noodles separately.
myeon-eun tta-ro da-ma ju-se-yo
Use when you want the noodles packed apart from the broth or sauce.
국물 따로, 면 따로 해 주세요.
Broth separately, noodles separately, please.
gung-mul tta-ro, myeon tta-ro hae ju-se-yo
A compact way to ask for both to be separated. Natural for takeaway.
따로 담을 수 있어요?
Can you pack them separately?
tta-ro da-meul su i-sseo-yo?
A yes/no check before ordering. Useful if you are not sure the shop can do it.
냉면 국물은 따로 주세요.
Please give the cold noodle broth separately.
naeng-myeon guk-mul-eun tta-ro ju-se-yo
For 냉면 takeaway. The broth is often packed separately by default, but this makes it clear.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The key pattern is noun + 은/는 + 따로 + 담아 주세요 or 주세요. Use 은 after a consonant and 는 after a vowel. Examples: 국물은 따로 담아 주세요 (broth, please pack separately), 면은 따로 담아 주세요 (noodles, please pack separately). For a shorter request, drop the verb and say 국물 따로, 면 따로 해 주세요. The word 따로 means 'separately' and does not change form here. If you want to ask if it is possible, use 따로 담을 수 있어요? This is a polite question ending in -요.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you order noodle soup to go and want to avoid soggy noodles. For 냉면, the broth is often served separately already, but saying 냉면 국물은 따로 주세요 confirms it. For 잔치국수, the noodles are thin and soften quickly, so 면은 따로 담아 주세요 is practical. For udon-style takeaway, the broth is hot and the noodles are thick; asking 국물은 따로 담아 주세요 keeps the noodles firm. At the counter, say the phrase clearly and add 감사합니다 when you finish. If the staff asks a follow-up, you can answer 네 or 아니요.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
안녕하세요. 잔치국수 하나 주세요.
Hello. One janchi-guksu, please.an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. jan-chi-guk-su ha-na ju-se-yo.네, 잔치국수 하나요. 드시고 가세요, 포장이세요?
Yes, one janchi-guksu. Will you eat here or is it takeaway?ne, jan-chi-guk-su ha-na-yo. deu-si-go ga-se-yo, po-jang-i-se-yo?포장이요. 국물은 따로 담아 주세요. 면은 따로 담아 주세요.
Takeaway. Please put the broth separately. Please put the noodles separately.po-jang-i-yo. guk-mul-eun tta-ro da-ma ju-se-yo. myeon-eun tta-ro da-ma ju-se-yo.네, 알겠습니다. 국물 따로, 면 따로 담아 드릴게요.
Okay, understood. I will pack the broth separately and the noodles separately.ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. guk-mul tta-ro, myeon tta-ro da-ma deu-ril-ge-yo.A little context goes a long way
In Korean service situations, the polite -요 style is safe and friendly. The phrase 담아 주세요 is a request, not a command, and is appropriate with staff. Some shops may pack broth separately by default for certain dishes, but asking directly is never rude. If the shop is busy, keep your request short: 국물 따로, 면 따로 해 주세요. Do not assume all shops can do it; use 따로 담을 수 있어요? to check first.
One thing to watch for
Saying 국물 따로 주세요 without the particle 은/는 when you want to be clear about the broth as the topic.
Try this instead: Use 국물은 따로 담아 주세요 or 국물은 따로 주세요. The particle 은 marks the broth as the thing you are talking about. For noodles, say 면은 따로 담아 주세요. If you want both, say 국물 따로, 면 따로 해 주세요.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask the staff to put the broth separately in a polite way?
Show a sample answer
국물은 따로 담아 주세요.
This uses the topic particle 은 after 국물 and the polite request 담아 주세요. You can also say 국물은 따로 주세요; both are polite and clear.
2You are ordering 냉면 takeaway and want to confirm the broth is separate. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
냉면 국물은 따로 주세요.
This names the dish 냉면 and asks for the broth separately. If the shop already packs it separately, the staff will simply confirm.
3How do you ask if the shop can pack the noodles and broth separately?
Show a sample answer
따로 담을 수 있어요?
This is a polite yes/no question using -(으)ㄹ 수 있어요. You can also add the specific items: 국물하고 면 따로 담을 수 있어요?
For takeaway noodles, say 국물은 따로 담아 주세요 and 면은 따로 담아 주세요. If you want a short version, use 국물 따로, 면 따로 해 주세요. Always check with 따로 담을 수 있어요? if you are unsure.
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