Meaning
Requesting a dish to be prepared with a milder level of spiciness.
Cultural Background
Spiciness is often measured against 'Shin Ramyun'. If you say 'Shin Ramyun level', most Koreans will understand exactly how much heat you can handle. The 'Fire Noodle Challenge' made Korean food seem impossibly spicy to the world, but in reality, most Koreans also order '덜 맵게' for daily meals. During a 'Hoesik' (company dinner), if the boss likes spicy food, subordinates might hesitate to ask for '덜 맵게'. However, it is increasingly acceptable to state preferences. Delivery apps have revolutionized this phrase. It is now a standard 'checkbox' or 'note' rather than a spoken request, leading to more precise spice levels (e.g., Level 1, 2, 3).
The Shin Ramyun Rule
If you aren't sure how spicy 'less spicy' is, ask for 'Shin Ramyun level'. It's the universal constant in Korea.
Don't say '더'!
Double-check your pronunciation. 'Deo' (더) will bring the fire, 'Deol' (덜) will bring the relief.
Meaning
Requesting a dish to be prepared with a milder level of spiciness.
The Shin Ramyun Rule
If you aren't sure how spicy 'less spicy' is, ask for 'Shin Ramyun level'. It's the universal constant in Korea.
Don't say '더'!
Double-check your pronunciation. 'Deo' (더) will bring the fire, 'Deol' (덜) will bring the relief.
It's not rude
Don't worry about offending the chef. In modern Korea, customizing spice levels is very common and expected.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the word meaning 'less'.
너무 매워요. ___ 맵게 해 주세요.
'덜' means less, which is what you need to reduce the spiciness.
Which of the following is the most polite way to ask for less spice in a restaurant?
Choose the best option:
'-주세요' is the standard polite ending for requests.
Complete the dialogue.
점원: 주문하시겠어요? 손님: 짬뽕 하나 주세요. 그런데 ____ 맵게 해 주세요.
The customer wants to modify the spicy Jjamppong to be milder.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a very fancy restaurant and want to be extra polite.
'부탁드립니다' is the most formal and polite way to make a request.
Match the Korean to the English.
1. 덜 맵게, 2. 더 맵게, 3. 안 맵게
덜 = less, 더 = more, 안 = not.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Deo vs Deol
Practice Bank
5 exercises너무 매워요. ___ 맵게 해 주세요.
'덜' means less, which is what you need to reduce the spiciness.
Choose the best option:
'-주세요' is the standard polite ending for requests.
점원: 주문하시겠어요? 손님: 짬뽕 하나 주세요. 그런데 ____ 맵게 해 주세요.
The customer wants to modify the spicy Jjamppong to be milder.
You are at a very fancy restaurant and want to be extra polite.
'부탁드립니다' is the most formal and polite way to make a request.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
덜 = less, 더 = more, 안 = not.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes, it's the closest equivalent to asking for a 'mild' version of a spicy dish.
Usually no, as Kimchi is pre-made. You can't ask for 'less spicy Kimchi' in a restaurant.
Use '안 맵게 해 주세요' (An maepge hae juseyo).
Absolutely. They hear it dozens of times a day.
It's an adverb meaning 'less' or 'to a smaller extent'.
Say '더 맵게 해 주세요' (Deo maepge hae juseyo).
Yes, '덜 맵게 부탁드립니다' (Deol maepge butak-deurimnida).
Korean 'mild' is often still spicy by international standards. It's relative!
No, it's specifically for spicy heat. For sweetness, you'd say '덜 달게' (less sweet).
It's a slang term for someone who can't handle spicy food. You might be called this if you use the phrase often!
Yes, write it in the 'Request to Store' box.
That means 'make it a little spicy', which might actually increase the heat if the dish wasn't spicy to begin with.
'덜' is 'less than standard', while '조금' is 'a little bit'.
The grammar is the same, but North Korean food is generally much less spicy than South Korean food.
Related Phrases
더 맵게 해 주세요
contrastPlease make it spicier.
안 맵게 해 주세요
similarPlease make it not spicy.
맵기 조절 돼요?
builds onCan I adjust the spice level?
양념 따로 주세요
specialized formPlease give the sauce on the side.
맵찔이
similarA person who can't eat spicy food.
