Four phrases for ordering tteokbokkiLanguage
덜 맵게 해 주세요 (deol maepge hae juseyo) — Less spicy, please
Ask for a less spicy version of a dish.
Less spicy, please덜 = less맵다 = spicyUpdated Oct 20, 2026
Study tools for this phrase
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Korean Language for Complete Beginners (Korean Heba, Udemy)
A short video course that goes from Hangeul and pronunciation to basic sentences and travel phrases such as hotel check-in and ordering food. A free preview lets you check the teaching style first.
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Tuttle Learner's Korean-English Dictionary
A learner's dictionary with over 5,600 Korean headwords, easy English definitions and example sentences in Hangeul, romanization and English.
What it means
덜 (deol) means “less,” 맵게 (maepge) is a form of the adjective 맵다 (“spicy”), and 해 주세요 (hae juseyo) is “please do it for me.” The Basic Korean Dictionary defines 맵다 as having a sharp, fiery taste like red pepper or mustard, pronounced [맵따].
When to use it
Say it when you order tteokbokki, ramyeon, stews or any dish that may be spicy. It is a request, so keep the polite 주세요 ending.
Build your own request
The pattern “~게 해 주세요” means “please make it ~.” Swap 덜 and the adjective to change the request.
More on K for All
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