It seems like the whole world is falling in love with Korean food, and with good reason. Korean BBQ and other recipes are delicious and add tons of flavor to our family tables.
Asian-inspired dishes are popular all over the world, and the culture of South Korea has become increasingly popular. From K-pop to fashion, South Korean culture is fascinating and interesting. However, it’s the food that has people flocking to Korean restaurants. We can’t get enough of delicious soups, salads, and Korean food entrees.
Korean food takes advantage of five fantastically bold flavors: sour, salty, sweet, bitter, and spicy.
When it comes to Korean food, there’s something for everyone to love.
From the bustling streets of Seoul to the quiet corners of Jeonju, Korean side dishes, or banchan, are an integral part of every meal in South Korea. Known for their unique flavors and varied textures, these small plates complement the main dishes and enhance the overall dining experience. As you explore the world of Korean cuisine, you’ll quickly learn that banchan adds not only flavor, but also color and variety to the table.
Korean side dishes range from fermented vegetables like kimchi to marinated meats and seafood, all with a balance of spice, sweetness, and tanginess. You’ll notice that many banchan ingredients overlap, making it easy to mix and match dishes as you please. As you continue trying different side dishes, you may find that some become staples in your meals, while others might surprise and delight your palate with their distinct taste profiles.
But what about Korean side dishes?
Korean people call the side dishes that go along with their meals “banchan” and we decided to go look for some great Korean banchan recipes.
From Korean vegetables such as Korean seasoned spinach to meaty main dishes like tuna pancakes, we’ve got your Korean side dishes covered.
Let’s get started enjoying all of the banchan that’s out there to explore.
If you’re looking for Korean side dishes that are super easy, you can’t go wrong with a salad.
This simple green salad is easy to make and it will go beautifully with any type of Korean BBQ meat that you grill.
To make this Korean side salad, use whatever types of mixed greens you enjoy. Choose from butterhead lettuce, baby swiss chard, arugula, oak lettuce, and even baby spinach.
If you like salmon patties, you’ll love these Korean tuna pancakes.
Think of a pancake, but something slightly thicker and definitely savory.
You can use canned tuna to make these little nuggets of deliciousness. The seasoning comes from garlic powder (or garlic), onion, kosher salt, black pepper, and sesame oil.
If you’re a potato lover, you will appreciate gamja jorim, or Korean braised baby potatoes.
This is one of the Korean side dishes that call for just a few basic ingredients (in addition to the potato) that you probably have in your pantry if you’re already cooking a lot of Korean or Asian foods.
Gamja jorim gets lots of flavor from the green chili peppers and onion.
This potato recipe also has instructions for making a braising liquid that is full of tasty ingredients.
You can also add other veggies to this versatile recipe if you like.
Want it extra spicy? No problem. Just add some red chili pepper paste and you’re all set.
Oi Muchim (오이무침) is translated to simply Korean cucumber salad, but there is nothing simple about the explosive flavors in this easy Korean side dish.
This easy cucumber salad gets tons of flavor from Korean red chili powder and rice vinegar, and sugar gives it just enough sweetness. The contrast in flavors makes this simple cucumber salad one of the most common Korean side dishes.
Soy sauce gives this salad its signature flavor, and it’s even better if you make it with an English or Persian cucumber.
You can refrigerate this cucumber salad for a few days and serve it cold. Just freshen it every day with more sesame seeds and fresh green onions (scallions).
One of our favorites is this Korean coleslaw. This salad is similar to kimchi, but it’s crunchier and much more refreshing.
This Korean coleslaw is by turns tangy, spicy, and sweet, and it goes beautifully with grilled chicken, fish, or beef.
The slaw consists of carrots, scallions (green onion), and perilla leaves that are thinly sliced.
For the sauce that’s used in this dish, use castor sugar, sesame oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, Korean fish sauce, and gochurgaru (Korean chili flakes).
In addition to being super tasty, the ingredients in this coleslaw make it a nutrient-dense dish.
What does a Korean macaroni salad look like? Well, chances are, Korean macaroni salad looks just like your own traditional macaroni salad.
This traditional Korean side dish is creamy and slightly sweet, and you will find it served at most restaurants that serve Korean food.
The ingredients in this macaroni salad are similar to what you see in macaroni salads anywhere: mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, white sugar, and a bit of salt and honey.
To add even more flavor to this classic Korean salad, consider capsicums, cabbage, and apples.
When you’re having a Korean barbecue, it just seems natural to have a macaroni salad.
Gaji namul, or steamed eggplant, is a popular Korean vegetable side dish that is made by tossing steamed eggplant with a special Korean soy sauce seasoning.
This dish is super healthy and, equally importantly, it’s easy to make.
To make this, you cut the long eggplants into thin strips and season them. Just 15 minutes later, you have one of the most popular Korean BBQ side dishes.
Gaji namul gets its flavor from chopped garlic, sesame oil, dark soy sauce, chopped green chili peppers, sugar, red chili powder (gochukaroo), and sesame seeds.
You can serve this steamed eggplant over rice to make it a full meal.
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
