Korean side dishes have become incredibly popular around the globe in recent times. This is primarily due to the influence of K-drama shows, YouTube mukbang influencers, and globalization. Korean banchan are not just food items rather they hold the country's traditions and cultural heritage. The side dishes range from vegetarian, hot, and spicy, to non-vegetarian, cold, and flavorful.
Koran banchan are popular for their taste and flavor, along with that they're packed with many nutrients. This is one of the reasons why koreans have youthful skin and a fit body. So, let's explore 20 delicious Korean side dishes.
Kimbap has gained popularity from K-dramas among non-koreans consumers. It is made from steamed white rice also known as bap. Along with white rice, other veggies such as carrots, spinach, cucumber, radish pickle, and any kind of cooked meat are rolled in gim, a sheet of dried seaweed.
Since, kimbap has a lot of varieties such as cheese, tuna, vegetarian, and spicy kimbap, you can prepare and eat based on your preference. This side dish can be served with any Korean food of your choice. This banchan has become everyone's favorite and easy-to-go food when it comes to picnics or outgoing activities.
2. Korean Fish Cake (Eomuk Bokkeum)
Eomuk bokkeum is a type of side Korean dish made with a mixture of mild-flavored fish, vegetables, and starch. This item comes in various shapes and colors. It tastes like a combination of salty, sweet, and seafood flavors all at once.
Pairing this Korean fish cake with rice, kimchi, reddish pickle, meats, and any other dishes you like, will give you a flavorful taste. This can be served hot or cold depending on your preferences.
The most popular Korean side dish is Baechu kimchi. We have been seeing this Korean banchan primarily in K-drama shows, and Korean Mukbang videos on YouTube. Due to its influence on social media, the majority of us have tried this for real.
This Korean side dish is prepared by mixing fermented napa cabbage with lots of spices such as garlic, red chili powder, ginger, and scallions. Since it's made by the fermentation process, it holds a good amount of probiotics that help with immune power, good digestion, and several health benefits.
This kimchi is normally made starting from September to November, and fermented kimchi will last through the winter. This side dish is usually good to eat at the beginning of the meal and without it Korean food is incomplete.
4. Sukju Namul (Mung Bean Sprouts)
One of the easiest Korean side dishes to make is sukju namul. This side banchan is packed with nutrients and is lightweight. It's usually served with bibimbap or other dishes such as pork, chicken, rice, veggies, etc. The sprouts are grown by soaking mung beans in the water for a day and then grown sprouts are plucked.
Since mung bean sprouts are rich in minerals, and vitamins such as Vitamin A, B1, B2, C, E, and iron, all of which help with digestion issues, eye health, heart health, etc. This is why koreans don't forget to add this side dish to their daily meals.
It's one of the favorite side dishes among the Koreans. This banchan is a mixture of freshly chopped cucumber with various seasonings. Since it blends well with any main course dishes, Koreans never fail to include this in their regular meals.
This flavorful refreshing side bachan is mostly consumed during the warmer season to beat the challenging heat. Besides that, it can be prepared any time of the day and served with rice, beef, or BBQ dishes. Sometimes, it is also used as a substitute for cabbage kimchi.
6. Pickled Radish Paper (Ssam-Mu)
Pickles are considered easy to make and serve as a side dish since it is a less effort-made banchan. here comes the sweet, tangy, and crunchy radish pickle. This side dish is best served with Korean BBQ, pork, or any meat items. Basically, the radish is cut into very thin slices or whatever shape you prefer, then seasonings such as vinegar, salt, sugar, spicy sauce, or red chilly powder are added for more flavors.
The pickle is low in calories and rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help to detoxify the cells, improve skin health, and boost gut health and digestion.
Naengmyeon is widely famous in Korea during the summer season. It's because the noodle is served cold with some beef or chicken, and some seasonings to feel the chilliness in the heating summer. The noodles are handmade and produced using flour and various starch including potatoes, sweet potatoes, and buckwheat.
This Korean side dish is rich in fiber, protein, and other essential nutrients making it one of the healthiest side dishes. It can be served with silvers of cucumber, reddish pickle, boiled eggs, brisket slices, beef, Korean pear, etc. Naengmyeon can be eaten primarily during the summer season because they're served cool.
8. Japchae (Korean Stir-Fried Noodles)
Japchae are like transparent noodles that are made from sweet potato starch and water. This side dish is stir-fried and seasoned with sesame oil, sugar, red pepper, and soy sauce. Along with that, veggies such as onion, chopped mushrooms, garlic, carrot, and spinach are added to give a nutritional touch to the side dish.
In addition to that, This banchan can be prepared as vegetarian or non-vegetarian based on your preferences. For the non-veg option, you can add chicken, beef, or pork along with your favorite veggies. Japchae is usually prepared during Korean festivals such as the Korean Harvest Festival, the Lunar New Year, etc.
Tteokbokki is a famous street food that is made of rice cakes, fish cakes, eggs, chili powder, and garlic and garnished with some green onions. It can be spicy or nonspicy depending on the seasoning added. If it is seasoned with gochujang then turns out to be spicy or if the seasoning is ganjang then it's nonspicy.
People prefer this Korean side dish to eat with boiled eggs, Korean fish cake soup, seaweed rolls, and scallions. If you prefer it to pair with other main course dishes such as rice or some non-veg, you can do that.
Since it's served hot which makes it an ideal choice during the winter to feel the the warmth with its spiciness.
10. Jjukkumi Gui (Seasoned Baby Octopus)
Needless to say, seafood is loved by koreans. One of the Korean seafood side dishes is Jjukkumi Gui. Unlike the name suggests, the baby octopus is a fully matured ones that fall under the category of small octopus species. It can be prepared in many ways popularly including seasoned, deep-fried, and grilled. The taste is tender, chewy, and flavorful.
This Korean banchan is prepared to start through a marination process that includes the addition of ingredients such as garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, lemon, ginger, green onions, and some green herbs of your choice. Rice, potato salads, kimchi, and bibimbap are some of the dishes that blend well with seasoned baby octopus.
Besides that, octopus is a good source of protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, both of which reduce inflammation, support heart health, and improve brain function. Nutritional value along with its mouth-watering taste made this banchan popular among koreans.
11. Gamjajeon (Potato Pancakes)
Gamjajeon is a Korean potato pancake that is made of grated potatoes and some ingredients. This savory side dish tastes crispy and chewy from the outside layer and has a soft texture on the inside. This is usually served as an appetizer before the main course dish arrives at the table.
This Korean banchan is prepared mostly during rainy days to make the atmosphere cozy. Besides that, it can be cooked any time of the year regardless of any occasion. Since potatoes contain vitamins, minerals, and fiber, you can benefit from these nutrients by using less oil while cooking them.
Mushrooms are known for their richness in protein, fiber, antioxidants, and low calories. All of these nutrients help to lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and inflammation. This is why mushrooms are popularly consumed in Korea either as a side dish or including it in main dish.
Mushrooms can be prepared in many ways. First, Boiled mushrooms are seasoned with some ingredients such as salt, lemon, sesame oil, carrots, green chilies, and any other veggies or spices you want to add. The other ways are to make soup out of it, pan-fried, etc. This side dish is prepared any time regardless of the special events and served with rice, soups and stews, salads, etc.
13. Pa kimchi (Green Onion Kimchi)
Pa kimchi also known as green onion kimchi is a famous Korean banchan. When it comes to listing out the Korean side dishes it can't be missed out. This kimchi tastes tangy, a bit sweet, and spicy. It's made by mixing the fermented fresh green onions with some main ingredients such as ginger, garlic, sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce. You can serve this banchan with any dish of your preference.
The best time to prepare pa kimchi is in the spring and early summer since these are the times when green onions are grown and tender. Besides that, it is packed with lots of nutrients such as probiotics, and vitamins A and C which do good things to our health.
14. Gosari Namul (Fiddlehead Ferns Side Dish)
It's a traditional Korean side dish made with dried gosari. This side dish is mostly prepared during Korean festivals such as the Lunar New Year. Besides that, it can be prepared as an everyday banchan. The dish is chewy in nature and seasoned with garlic, soy sauce, salt, garlic, sesame oil, and other spices of your choice.
The dish is rich in vitamins, fiber, minerals, and iron, all of which help to contribute to your better health. It's a versatile side dish that can be served with any Korean dishes including bibimbap, stir-fried glass noodles, kimchi, and rice cakes.
Korean green salads are well paired with any main course dishes. Salads are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant components so preparing a bowl of green salads not only balances your taste but also helps with digestion.
Salads are best to serve with any meat items such as beef, chicken, pork BBQ, etc. To prepare a bowl of green salad, you can collect and mix the veggies such as spinach, lettuce, carrot, cucumber, onions, tomatoes, etc. then add some pinches of salt, and sesame seeds to your taste.
Eating green salads at the beginning of the meal is said to help our gut health. There's no fixed time frame to eat salads. You can eat whenever you feel like it.
16. Beurokolli Namul (Sesame Broccoli)
Broccoli is one of the healthiest veggies yet many don't like it. But if it's prepared by adding good seasonings then there's a high chance that this might be your favorite Korean banchan. Besides that, making broccoli a part of your meals adds lots of benefits to your health.
Broccoli is available all year around so it's prepared any time. Incorporating some ingredients such as sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, sesame seeds, salt, vinegar, and some green onions gives a flavorful taste to your tastebuds. It is best to serve this side dish with rice, grilled or roasted meats, spicy rice cakes, or any other Korean dish.
Tofu was originally invented in the eastern part of Asia and it's made of soybeans. This product is soft and filled with high protein content. There are no restaurants in Korea that have no tofu on their menu list. Tofu is signified as a reminder that you can't change the past but live in the present and hope for a better future. It's because tofu is the transformative version of soybeans and can't return to its original shape again.
Tofu also known as dubu is popularly cooked as pan-fried and served with rice, noodles, or other dishes of your preference. Don't forget to include spicy sauce to dip tofu for better flavor. Besides that, it can be added to many soups to enhance the taste and nutrition level. It helps to make your bones stronger because of the calcium and magnesium content it has.
18. Gamja Jorim (Korean Braised Potatoes)
There are a lot of dishes that can be prepared from potatoes, and one of them is Gamja Jorim also known as Korean braised potatoes. It's a traditional Korean banchan that is made by mixing some ingredients such as soy sauce, sugar, garlic, vegetable oil, sesame oil, sesame seeds, red chilies, and green onions into a bowl of boiled potatoes.
Healthwise this side is nutritious as it contains fiber, carbs, potassium, and vitamins C and B. It can be served with rice, kimchi of any kind, roasted meat, or any Korean side dish of your preference.
It's an easy-to-make and healthy side dish that is made by steaming eggplant. To add flavors, ingredients such as soy sauce, garlic, green onion, sesame oil, red chili flakes, sugar, and vinegar are incorporated. This side dish can be paired with kimchi, seasoned spinach, soybean sprouts, stir-fried glass noodles, rice, etc.
This versatile dish can be consumed any time of the year, particularly in the summer when eggplants are in season. Besides that, eggplants are rich in vitamins and antioxidants that help to protect cells and boost digestion and overall health.
20. Sigeumchi Namul (Korean Spinach)
It's a simple and easy-to-make Korean side dish. The main ingredient is spinach which is seasoned with some salt, minced garlic, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. Korean spinach is high in vitamins, and minerals including vitamin K, vitamin C, and A. These components are good for your skin, and eyesight, and promote overall health.
Spinach can be served with any main course dish such as chicken, pork, seafood, and other veggies. There are no special occasions to prepare Korean spinach. You can cook it any time of the day and pair it with the food to your liking.
Author
Editor
Ranaj Ramakrishnan
Ranaj Ramakrishnan is a highly skilled and accomplished Chef, currently serving as the Head Chef at Inhabit Restaurant. With a rich career spanning prestigious hotels and resorts, Ranaj has held key culinary positions such as Sous Chef at Café de l'Esplanade, Executive Sous Chef at Fly High Kochi, and Sous Chef at Niraamaya Retreats and The Leela Kovalam, A Raviz Hotel. His earlier experience includes working at Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort, Bulldozer Group Dubai, and Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, where he refined his skills and leadership abilities in world-class kitchens.
Ranaj’s culinary journey began after his education at St. Joseph's High School, Mathilakam, and has taken him through a variety of international and Indian establishments. His passion for fine dining and attention to detail have established him as a respected figure in the hospitality industry.
Based in Thrissur, India, and originally from Koolimuttam, Ranaj continues to inspire and lead with his innovative approach to cooking and commitment to excellence in every dish.
