200+ Best Korean Side Dishes

Are you ready for mouth-watering traditional Korean side dishes 반찬 (banchan)? Here is a list that you can try when eating Korean food. Aside from delicious Korean cooking, Korean side dishes complete the whole dining experience. It’s very unusual to see a Korean meal without even a single traditional side dish on the table. Today we will discover some Korean side dishes served with Korean BBQ. We will also learn some Korean side dish recipes that you can prepare at home. If you are ready for all that and more, let’s dive into it!

What Are Korean Side Dishes?

반찬 (Banchan)

When you’re in a Korean BBQ or any other Korean restaurant, you will be first served with small plates with different snacks that are usually vegetables seasoned. These small dishes are called Korean side dishes.

Banchan (반찬) are little side dishes customarily served with rice and are designed to be shared by everyone at the meal. They’re more like small complimentary snacks within a meal than actual appetizers. Most Korean side dishes have staple ingredients like vegetables, sesame seeds, fish sauce, sesame oil, green onions, Korean red pepper flakes, and more.

Koreans Love For Side Dishes: Where It All Started?

Did you know that Koreans are one of the highest consumers of vegetables? This is because for 700 years, starting from the era of the Three Kingdoms, Koreans were influenced by strict Buddhist practices. Because of this, they don’t consume meat for a long time. Vegetables have been their only form of food, so the Koreans adapted and created different recipes. Korean side dishes or Korean banchan have always been a part of Korean culture.

Koreans also learned how to preserve their vegetables because of the harsh winters that they are experiencing. This is why fermentation is greatly used in Korean side dishes and Korean main dishes.

Today, even if Koreans also love meat, like pork belly, you cannot remove vegetable dishes and side dishes in a typical meal. It has and will always be part of their culture as Korean.

Types Of Korean Side Dishes

Fun fact, in a typical Korean meal, the table setting is named after the number of side dishes: 3 cheop (삼첩) for three side dishes, 5 cheop (오첩) for five, 7 cheop (칠첩) for seven and 9 cheop (구첩) for nine. The number of Korean side dishes served at a dining table should be in an odd number. They believe that serving even several Korean side dishes will bring bad luck. But, in the Korean royal cuisine, there are 12 Korean banchan dishes that are served.

Now, let us discover different Korean side dishes that are typically served in Korean meals.

Kimchi (김치)

Kimchi is a term that refers to salty and fermented vegetables. It is typically fermented in earthenware pots and stored underground to avoid being exposed to the cold winters, which can cause them to freeze and to keep the fermentation process from being hurried unduly.

There are hundreds of different kimchi recipes that use a variety of vegetables. The most popular kimchi Korean side dish is the napa cabbage kimchi.

Namul (나물)

Namul is the type of Korean side dish that refers to edible grass, leaves, herbs, and vegetables that are steamed, blanched, marinated. Koreans usually use green onion, sesame oil, sesame seeds, minced garlic, salt, sugar, soy sauce, and gochugaru (Korean chili pepper flakes) to season this side dish.

Jorim (조림)

Jorim is a slow-cooked Korean dish created by simmering vegetables, meat, seafood, fish, or tofu in seasoned broth until the liquid has been absorbed and reduced.

Jeol-in (절인)

Pickled side dishes are also common in Korean cuisine. Pickling is done by adding vinegar to the vegetables go through a rapid pickling process overnight. When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they have a shelf life of around 2 weeks.

Bokkeum (볶음)

In Korean cuisine, bokkeum refers to stir-fried meals with a sauce such as fish sauce and soy sauce.

Famous Korean Side Dishes Perfect For Korean BBQ

Now, let us discover different Korean side dishes typically served in Korean meals and are perfect for Korean BBQ.

1. Traditional Napa Cabbage Kimchi

통배추김치 (Tongbaechu-kimchi)

This is the most popular Korean side dish in Korean cuisine. It is also one of the easy Korean side dishes anyone can make. You can see Koreans partner this with almost any Korean food.

It’s easy to make homemade kimchi using napa cabbage. Here are the ingredients that you’ll need:

1 Large Napa Cabbage
1 cup Korean coarse sea salt (for making kimchi)
1 pound Korean radish
5 cups of water
3-4 scallions
1/4 Korean pear
1 piece dashima
1 tbsp of glutinous rice powder
1/2 cup gochugaru (Korean red chili pepper flakes)
3 – 4 raw shrimps
3 tbsp minced garlic
3 tbsp myulchiaekjeot (fish sauce)
1/4 cup salted shrimp
1 tsp grated ginger
1 tsp sesame seeds
1/2 cup water or dashima

2. Korean Soybean Sprout Side Dish

콩나물 무침 (Kongnamul Muchim)

The Korean soybean sprout is a famous Korean side dish that you can typically see at a Korean dining table. This easy-to-prepare side dish is slightly crunchy and well-seasoned with garlic, sesame oil, scallions, and salt. It also has a subtle flavor, but you can make it spicy if you want.

3. Korean Spicy Cucumber Salad

오이무침 (Oi Muchim)

The spicy cucumber salad is a Korean side dish with a sweet, salty, crunchy, spicy, and tangy flavor. Pickled cocktail cucumbers and Korean red pepper flakes provide flavor to this simple dish.

4. Korean Zucchini Side Dish

호박 볶음 (Hobak Bokkeum)

This sweet and soft stir-fried Korean zucchini side dish is perfect for Korean meals, especially meat dishes. It is made with traditional Korean ingredients like medium zucchini, saeujeot (salted shrimp), garlic, sesame seeds, sesame oil, cooking oil, and scallions.

5. Korean Braised Potatoes

감자조림 (Gamja Jorim)

If you’re a potato lover, the Korean Braised Potatoes side dish is perfect for you. This Korean side dish is made with baby potatoes coated in a sweet and savory glaze. To make Korean Braised Potatoes, you need mini/baby potatoes, vegetable (or any neutral) oil, soy sauce, honey, garlic, gochugaru (Korean chili flakes ), water, sesame seeds, and green onions.

6. Korean Steamed Eggplant Side Dish

가지 나물 (Gaji Namul)

Gaji Namul is also one of the easiest Korean side dishes to prepare. It is a healthy side dish because it is made of steamed eggplant that is well-seasoned.

7. Korean Spinach Side Dish

시금치나물 (Sigeumchi Namul)

Another side dish that is one of the Korean staples is the Spinach Side Dish. This side dish is best paired with many Korean dishes. It is made of baby spinach, scallion, guk ganjang (soup soy sauce), garlic, sugar, sesame oil, sesame seeds, salt, and pepper. If you want it to be spicy, you can add gochujang (Korean red chili pepper paste).

8. Korean Pickles In Soy Sauce

장아찌 (Jangajji)

Jangajji is another common side dish usually served at the Korean dining table. It has salty, umami, sweet, crunchy, and spicy flavors. Creating jangajji is simple: prepare a brine using soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar, bring it to a boil, then pour it over crisp and sturdy raw veggies to marinade.

Although jangajji is traditionally cooked with perilla leaves, cucumbers, garlic scapes, chayote squash, moo radish, and chile peppers, you can use any veggies that are in season and accessible.

9. Korean Radish Salad/Korean Spicy Radish Salad

무생채 (Musaengchae)

Musaengchae is a radish-based meal. There are various varieties, such as sweet and sour radish salad and non-spicy radish salad. The Korean radish used in this side dish is similar to the Daikon radish of Japan, but it has quite a different texture and taste. The most famous and common variation served is the spicy radish salad.

10. Korean Steamed Eggs

Gyeran Jjim (계란찜)

The Korean steamed eggs are one of the crowd’s favorites. It is a Korean side dish made with eggs, broth, or water and seasoned with salt, sesame oil, and green onions. It is served in a pot to contain the heat. It is also called volcano steamed eggs because of the volcanic cone shape combined with the steam that releases from the eggs.

Other Easy Korean Side Dishes (Banchan)

(Hangul) Korean	Romanization	English Translation
부추김치	buchu-kimchi	Asian chive kimchi
취나물	chwinamul	aster scaber side dish
아스파라거스무침	asparagus-muchim	asparagus side dish
사골국물	sago-gukmul	beef bone broth
쇠고기전	soegogi-jeon	beef pancakes
쇠고기무국	soegogi-muguk	beef and radish soup
갈비탕	galbitang	beef short ribs soup
대구전	daegujeon	breaded cod fillets
검은콩조림	geomeun-kongjorim	braised black beans
막갈비찜	makgalbi-jjim	braised beef short ribs
고등어무조림	godeungeo-mujorim	braised mackerel with radish
코다리조림	kodari-jorim	braised semi-dried pollock
족발	jokbal	braised pig’s trotters
꽁치조림	kkongchi-jorim	braised saury
연근조림	yeon-geun-jorim	braised lotus roots
김치찜	kimchijjim	braised kimchi & pork
문어조림	muneo-jorim	braised octopus
갈비찜	galbi-jjim	braised beef short ribs
브로콜리 두부무침	broccoli dubu-muchim	broccoli with tofu
브로콜리 피클 , 브로콜리 장아찌	broccoli pickles	brokoli pikeul
뚝배기불고기	ttukbaegi-bulgogi	bulgogi stew in an earthenware pot
배추전	baechujeon	cabbage pancake
겨자냉채	gyeoja-naengchae	cold salad with spicy mustard sauce
오이냉국	oi-naengguk	cold cucumber soup side dish
무우나물 , 무나물	muwoonamul	cooked radish side dish
조개탕	jogaetang	clam stew
오징어실채볶음	ojingeo-silchae-bokkeum	crunchy squid threads
차이오티 김치	chaioti gimchi	chayote kimchi
콘치즈	konchijeu	corn cheese
가지냉국	gaji-naengguk	cold eggplant side dish
콜라드그린	collard greens	collard greens side dishes
깍두기	kkakdugi	cubed radish kimchi
오이장아찌	oijangajji	cucumber pickles
청경채 두부된장국	cheonggyeongchae dubu-doenjangguk	doenjangguk with bok choy and tofu
맥적	maekjeok	doenjang pork skewers
북어포 고추장무침	bugeopo gochujang-muchim	dried shredded pollock seasoned with gochujang
북어국	bugeoguk	dried pollock soup
청국장찌개	cheonggukjang-jjigae	extra-strong fermented soybean paste stew
계란장조림	gyeran-jangjorim	eggs in soy broth
가지나물	gaji-namul	eggplant side dish
양배추김치	yangbaechu-kimchi	emergency kimchi
명란젓	myeongnanjeot	fermented pollock roe
오징어젓	ojingeojeot	fermented squid side dish
된장찌개	doenjang-jjigae	fermented soybean paste stew with scallops
김부각	gim-bugak	fried seaweed paper coated with glutinous rice paste
약고추장	yak-gochujang	fried gochujang
과일샐러드	gwa-il-saeleodeu	fruit salad
어묵	eomuk	fish cakes
껍질콩 마늘 볶음	kkeopjilkong maneul bokkeum	garlic green beans
김치전	kimchijeon	grandma-style kimchi pancake
파김치	pa-kimchi	green onion kimchi
고추전	gochujeon	green chili pepper pancake
고추장아찌	gochu-jangajji	green chili pepper pickles
굴비구이	gulbi-gui	grilled salted & dried yellow Corvina
고등어구이	godeungeo-gui	grilled mackerel
콩비지찌개	kongbiji-jjigae	ground soybean stew
해파리냉채	haepari-naengchae	jellyfish salad
호박전	hobak jeon	Korean fried zucchini
버섯탕수	beoseot-tangsu	Korean crispy mushrooms
치킨무	chicken-mu	Korean Pickled Radish
계란말이	yeran mari / gyeranmari	Korean Egg rolls
마카로니 샐러드	makaloni saelleodeu	Korean macaroni salad
상추 겉절이	sangchoo geotjeori	Korean lettuce salad
참치전	chamchijeon	Korean tuna pancakes
두부조림	dubu jorim	Korean tofu (braised)
마파두부	mapadubu	Korean-style mapo tofu
궁중떡볶이	gungjung-tteokbokki	Korean Royal court stir-fried rice cakes
쌈장	ssamjang	Korean spicy dipping sauce
참깨 브로콜리	chamkkae beulokolli	Korean sesame broccoli
코울슬로	koulseullo	Korean coleslaw
도미양념구이	domi-yangnyeom-gui	Korean style fried snapper with seasoning sauce
케일장떡	kaeil-jangtteok	kale Pancakes
천사채	cheonsachae	kelp noodle salad/seaweed noodle salad
김치전	kimchijeon	kimchi pancake
김치국	kimchi-guk	kimchi soup
채식김치	chaesik-kimchi	vegetarian kimchi
김치찌개	kimchi-jjigae	kimchi stew
김치 고등어통조림 찌개	kimchi godeungeo-tongjorim jjigae	kimchi and mackerel camping stew
명아주무침	myeongaju-muchim	lamb’s quarter’s side dish
마파두부	mapadubu	mapa tofu
미나리무침	minari-muchim	minari side dish
치즈떡갈비	cheese tteokgalbi	minced, seasoned, and grilled beef ribs with cheese
떡갈비	tteokgalbi	minced, seasoned, and grilled beef ribs
버섯들깨탕	beoseot	deulkkae-tang – mushroom soup
빈대떡	bindaetteok	mung bean pancakes
청포묵무침	cheongpomuk-muchim	mung bean jelly side dishes
숙주오이나물	sukju-oi-namul	mung bean sprout and cucumber side dish
숙주나물무침	sukjunamul-muchim	mung bean sprout side dish
쑥국	ssukguk	mugwort soup
안매운 콩나물국	an-maeun kongnamulguk	non-spicy soybean sprout soup
소꼬리탕	sokkoritang	oxtail soup
뼈해장국	ppyeo-haejangguk	ox bone hangover soup
완자전	wanja-jeon	pan-fried meat and tofu patties
깻잎전	kkaennip-jeon	pan-fried perilla leaves with fillings
두부부침양념장	dububuchim-yangnyeomjang	pan-fried tofu with spicy sauce
깻잎김치	kkaenip-kimchi	perilla leaf kimchi
깻잎장아찌	kkaennip-jangajji	perilla leaf pickles
감자전	gamjajeon	potato pancakes
감자샐러드	gamja-salad	potato salad
감자조림	gamja-bokkeum	potato & soy sauce side dish
총각김치	chonggak-kimchi	ponytail kimchi
동태전	dongtaejeon	pollock pancake
동치미	dongchimi	radish water kimchi
산마늘전	sanmaneul-jeon	ramp pancakes
무생채	musaengchae	radish salad
간장게장	ganjang-gejang	raw crabs marinated in soy sauce
김구이	gim-gui	roasted seaweed sheets
계란말이	gyeran-mari	rolled omelet
새우소금구이	saeu-sogeum-gui	salt-roasted shrimp
장조림	jangjorim	salty beef side dish
애호박새우볶음	aehobak-saeu-bokkeum	sautéed zucchini and shrimp
미역줄기볶음	miyeokjulgi-bokkeum	sautéed sea plant
해물전	haemuljeon	seafood pancakes
해물파전	haemul-pajeon	seafood green onion pancake
쇠고기 미역국	soegogi miyeokguk	seaweed soup with beef
김무침	gim-muchim	seasoned seaweed
멸치무침	myeolchi-muchim	seasoned dried anchovies
굴무침	gulmuchim	seasoned fresh oysters
육회	yukhoe	seasoned raw beef
무말랭이무침	mumallaengi-muchim	seasoned dried radish strips
오징어채무침	ojingeochae-muchim	seasoned dried shredded squid
가자미 양념튀김	gajami yangnyeom-twigim	seasoned pan-fried flatfish
도토리묵무침	dotorimuk-muchim	seasoned acorn jelly
새우전	saeujeon	shrimp pancakes
감자전	gamjajeon	simple potato pancake
시금치조개 된장국	sigeumchi-jogae doenjangguk	soybean paste soup with spinach and clams
된장방아	doenjang-banga	soybean paste based dipping sauce for raw fish
콩조림	kongjorim	soybean side dish
배추된장국	baechu-doenjangguk	soybean paste soup with cabbage
콩나물무침	kongnamul-muchim	soybean sprout side dish
콩나물국밥	kongnamul-gukbap	soybean sprout soup with rice
콩나물국	kongnamulguk	soybean sprout soup
오징어국	ojingeo-guk	squid soup
물회	mulhoe	spicy raw fish soup
닭볶음탕	dakbokkeumtang	spicy braised chicken breasts
도라지무침	doraji-muchim	spicy bellflower root side dish
어묵볶음	eomuk-bokkeum	spicy stir-fried fish cakes
육개장	yukgaejang	spicy beef and vegetable soup
두부조림	dubu-jorim	spicy braised tofu
짬뽕	jjamppong	spicy mixed-up seafood noodle soup
떡볶이	tteokbokki	spicy rice cakes
매운 무국	maeun muguk	spicy radish and beef soup
닭개장	dakgaejang	spicy chicken & vegetable soup
해물순두부찌개	haemul-sundubu-jjigae	spicy soft tofu stew with seafood
낙지볶음	nakji-bokkeum	spicy stir-fried octopus
고추소박이	gochu-sobagi	spicy stuffed green chili pepper kimchi
오징어통구이	ojingeo-tonggui	spicy grilled squid
매운 고추장 마요네즈	maeun gochujang mayonejeu	spicy gochujang mayo
고기 순두부찌개	gogi sundubu-jjigae	spicy soft tofu stew with beef
돼지불고기	dwaejibulgogi	spicy pork BBQ
돼지고기찌개	dwaejigogi-jjigae	spicy pork stew
매운 뚝배기 계란찜	maeun ttukbaegi gyeranjjim	spicy steamed eggs in an earthenware bowl
고추장 가지찜	gochujang gaji-jjim	spicy stuffed steamed eggplant
김치순두부찌개	kimchi-sundubu-jjigae	spicy soft tofu stew with kimchi and pork belly
돼지고기볶음	dwaejigogi-bokkeum	spicy stir-fried pork
매운탕	maeuntang	spicy fish stew
오이소박이 김치	oisobagi kimchi	spicy stuffed cucumber kimchi
시금치나물	sigeumchi-namul	spinach side dish
꽃빵	kkotppang	steamed flower-shaped buns
깻잎찜	kkaennipjjim	steamed perilla leaves
꽈리고추찜	kkwarigochu-jjim	steamed shishito peppers
계란찜	gyeranjjim	steamed egg side dish
뚝배기 계란찜	ttukbaegi gyeranjjim	steamed egg in an earthenware bowl
고사리나물	gosari-namul	stir-fried fern brake
김치볶음	kimchi-bokkeum	stir-fried kimchi
멸치땅콩볶음	myeolchi-ttangkong-bokkeum	stir-fried dried anchovies and peanuts
도라지볶음	doraji-bokkeum	stir-fried bellflower root
느타리버섯볶음	neutari-beoseot-bokkeum	stir-fried oyster mushrooms
감자햄볶음	gamja-haem-bokkeum	stir-fried potato and ham
부추잡채	buchu-japchae	stir-fried chives, meat, and vegetables
고사리나물	gosari-namul	stir-fried fern brake side dish
감자채볶음	gamjachae-bokkeum	stir-fried shredded potato
마늘쫑볶음	maneuljjong-bokkeum	stir-fried garlic scapes
잡채	japchae	stir-fried noodles and vegetables
콩자반	kongjaban	sweet and salty soybeans
고구마밥	goguma-bap	sweet potato rice
버섯 미나리 초무침	beoseot minari chomuchim	sweet, sour, and spicy mushrooms with water dropwort
두부강정	dubu-gangjeong	sweet and crunchy tofu
미역무침	miyeok-muchim	sweet & sour seaweed salad
닭볶음탕	dakbokkeumtang	traditional-style spicy braised chicken
두부장아찌	dubu-jangajji	tofu pickles
강된장	gang-doenjang	thick soybean paste stew
채소국물	chaeso-gukmul	vegetable stock
나박김치	nabak-kimchi	vegetable and fruit water kimchi
백김치	baek-kimchi	white kimchi
단무지	danmuji	yellow pickled radish
열무 물김치	yeolmu mulkimchi	young summer radish water kimchi
부추전	buchujeon	vegetable pancake with Asian chives

Go Beyond Korean Side Dishes, Learn Korean Now!

Pretty sure that you’ll satisfy your taste buds with the crave-worthy side dishes you have learned above. But, your Korean dining experience will never be complete without discovering some essential Korean vocabulary like ordering food, Korean food, and more. But, if you’re serious about learning Korean beyond just Korean food, Ling App is the perfect partner for you.

With the well-developed lessons and features, Ling App will give you a Korean language learning experience that is fun, engaging, and meaningful. Since it can be downloaded from your phone or accessed online, you can learn Korean anytime and anywhere you wish. So, be in a hurry and start your lesson in Korean with Ling App now!

Sheiwen Aglibot