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!
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