Reading Korean Food Labels: A Simple Starter Guide
LIVING IN KOREA · GUIDE 08
A food package can have a lot of small print. You do not need to translate every word at once. Start with four questions: What is in it? How should I store it? What does the date mean? How much am I eating?
If you have a food allergy, check the ingredients and allergy warnings first.
1. Read the word beside the date
소비기한 means use-by date. It applies when the food is stored as directed on the package. Do not eat food after this date. The official use-by guide explains why storage matters.
제조일자 means the date the food was made. It is not a use-by date. 유통기한 means sell-by date. Do not treat these different dates as the same thing.
For example, 2026년 9월 20일 means September 20, 2026. This is only a date-reading example. Read the words beside any printed date to understand what it refers to.
Do not add a fixed number of days to a sell-by date to work out a safe eating date. If the meaning is unclear, ask the maker using the contact details on the package.
2. Check how to store it
보관방법 means storage instructions. Look for these words:
| Korean label | Simple meaning |
|---|---|
| 냉장보관 | Keep refrigerated. |
| 냉동보관 | Keep frozen. |
| 실온보관 | Store at room temperature, following the package instructions. |
| 개봉 후 | After opening. |
Follow the temperature and other conditions printed on that product. Do not assume all foods can stay on a kitchen shelf.
Instructions may change after opening. For example, a product may need refrigeration once opened. Follow any directions about how soon to use it. The printed date alone does not tell you how long an opened product will keep.
3. Read ingredients and allergy warnings
원재료명 means ingredients. 함유 means contains. For example, 우유 함유 means contains milk. 대두 means soybeans, 밀 means wheat, and 땅콩 means peanuts. These are only a few examples, not a full allergy checklist.
Also look for a warning about 같은 제조시설, meaning the same manufacturing facility. This can warn that an ingredient that can cause an allergy may get into the food during production, even when it is not a listed ingredient. Read the full warning.
A phone translation can help you find information. It should not be your only check for an allergy. If you cannot confirm whether a food is suitable, do not eat it. Ask the maker for details and follow your doctor's advice for your allergy. The official allergy-label guide is a useful reference.
4. Check the amount behind the nutrition numbers
영양정보 means nutrition information. Before comparing numbers, check whether they describe the whole pack, 100g, 100mL or another stated amount.
총 내용량 means total contents. 나트륨 means sodium, 당류 means sugars, and 단백질 means protein. These words can help you find the numbers you want to compare.
Here is a made-up example: a drink shows 40 kcal per 100mL. If you drink a 250mL bottle, that is 100 kcal: 40 × 2.5 = 100. This is a reading exercise, not a real product label.
1일 영양성분 기준치 is the daily reference value used on the label. The percentage compares the amount in the food with that daily reference. It is a comparison tool, not a personal meal plan.
Two phrases you can use
Does this contain milk?
Korean: 이 제품에 우유가 들어 있나요?
Should I keep this in the fridge after opening?
Korean: 개봉 후 냉장 보관해야 하나요?
You can show these sentences on your phone. For an allergy, also show the exact ingredient you need to avoid.
Information checked: September 8, 2026.
This guide explains common label words. Always read the actual package. For food allergies or a medical diet, follow advice from your doctor or dietitian.
Official sources
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