28 Aug What Is Banchan? A Guide to Korean Side Dishes
When you sit down for a Korean meal, you may notice several small dishes arriving at the table before or alongside your main food.
These dishes are called banchan, a familiar and much-loved part of Korean dining.
Banchan can include kimchi, seasoned vegetables, pickled dishes and other small savoury sides. Rather than being treated as separate courses, they are usually enjoyed throughout the meal alongside rice, soups, grilled dishes and other Korean favourites.
If Korean food is new to you, our guide to what to order at a Korean restaurant for the first time is a useful place to start. Understanding banchan is another easy way to understand how a Korean meal comes together.
What Is Banchan?
Banchan refers to the small side dishes served as part of a Korean meal.
The word can describe many different types of dishes, from vegetables and kimchi to seasoned, braised or pickled foods.
A Korean table may include several different banchan at once, giving diners a variety of flavours and textures to enjoy alongside the main dish.
Rather than eating one banchan from beginning to end, many people take small bites between spoonfuls of rice, soup or other dishes.
That combination is part of what makes Korean dining so varied — one meal can move between savoury, fresh, tangy, spicy and comforting flavours.
Is Kimchi a Banchan?
Yes. Kimchi is one of the best-known types of Korean banchan.
Kimchi is made by fermenting vegetables with seasonings, and napa cabbage kimchi is probably the version most people recognise.
However, kimchi is not just one dish.
Different vegetables and preparation methods can create many styles of kimchi, and the flavour can range from fresh and crisp to deeper and more fermented.
At Park Bong Sook Restaurant, house-made kimchi is an important part of our Korean table, accompanying many of the comforting dishes people come to enjoy.
What Types of Banchan Are There?
There is no single fixed set of banchan that every Korean restaurant serves.
The selection can change according to the restaurant, menu, season, ingredients and dishes being served.
Kimchi
Fermented vegetable dishes are among the most recognisable banchan.
Cabbage kimchi is widely known, but Korean cuisine includes many other varieties made from different vegetables.
Seasoned Vegetables
Vegetables can be lightly seasoned with ingredients such as sesame oil, garlic or other Korean seasonings.
These dishes often provide a lighter contrast to rich soups and meat dishes.
Pickled Side Dishes
Pickled vegetables can bring acidity and freshness to the table.
That sharp flavour can be especially enjoyable alongside savoury or richer dishes.
Braised or Savoury Banchan
Some banchan have a deeper, sweeter or more savoury flavour and may be braised or seasoned.
They add another layer of flavour to a meal without becoming the main dish.
Fresh and Simple Sides
Not every banchan needs to be strongly seasoned.
Simple vegetable dishes can help balance a table that includes rich soups, meat dishes or spicy foods.
Why Are There So Many Small Dishes on a Korean Table?
One of the distinctive features of Korean dining is that the meal is often built around several flavours being enjoyed together.
Instead of thinking of each banchan as a separate appetiser, think of the entire table as one meal.
You might take a spoonful of rice, taste some soup, have a bite of kimchi and then try another side dish.
Each combination can taste slightly different.
This is also why Korean meals can feel generous and communal. There is often more than one thing happening on the table, encouraging diners to explore different combinations while eating.
If you are still deciding which main dish to pair with your banchan, see our first-time Korean restaurant ordering guide for approachable soups, rice dishes and sharing favourites.
How Do You Eat Banchan?
There is no complicated technique required.
If it is your first time eating Korean food, simply enjoy small amounts of banchan throughout your meal.
For example:
- A spoonful of rice followed by kimchi
- A bite of a savoury main dish with a seasoned vegetable
- A spoonful of soup followed by a fresh or pickled side
- Different banchan between bites of your main meal
You do not need to eat all the banchan before starting your main dish.
They are there to be enjoyed with the meal, rather than necessarily before it.
Is Banchan Always Spicy?
No.
This is one of the most common misconceptions about Korean food.
Some banchan can be spicy, particularly dishes seasoned with chilli, but many are mild, savoury, fresh, sweet, tangy or lightly seasoned.
If you are new to Korean food and are unsure about spice, banchan can actually be a good way to discover the range of flavours found in Korean cuisine.
You may find several mild dishes on the same table as one spicy dish.
Is Banchan Made for Sharing?
Banchan is commonly placed in the centre of the table and enjoyed alongside the meal, which naturally suits the shared style of Korean dining.
This is especially noticeable when several people eat together.
A table might have individual bowls of rice and soup alongside shared main dishes and small plates of banchan.
It creates a dining experience where everyone can try a little of several different things.
Does Every Korean Restaurant Serve the Same Banchan?
No.
Banchan can differ considerably between Korean restaurants, and the selection may even change from one visit to another.
Different restaurants may have their own recipes, house specialities and preferred combinations.
The banchan served can also depend on what food has been ordered.
At Park Bong Sook Restaurant, menus and available side dishes can vary between locations, so the exact selection should not be expected to be identical at every restaurant.
You can find your nearest Park Bong Sook location to check current restaurant information, opening hours and available menus.
Why Banchan Matters in Korean Dining
Banchan may look like a collection of small side dishes, but together they help create the balance that is characteristic of a Korean meal.
A rich dish can be paired with something fresh.
A savoury soup can be followed by tangy kimchi.
Rice can soften stronger flavours.
A mild vegetable side can sit alongside something spicy.
It is this combination of flavours, rather than any single dish on its own, that helps make a Korean table feel complete.
Discover Korean Food at Park Bong Sook
If you are exploring Korean food for the first time, do not overlook the small dishes on the table.
Try them individually, enjoy them with rice and pair them with different parts of your meal.
Banchan is a simple way to experience more of the flavours and traditions that make Korean dining unique.
Park Bong Sook Restaurant has locations across Australia, with menus and dining experiences varying by restaurant.
Find your nearest Park Bong Sook location to explore the current menu, opening hours and restaurant information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does banchan mean?
Banchan is the Korean term for small side dishes that are served alongside a meal. They can include kimchi, seasoned vegetables, pickled foods and other savoury dishes.
Is kimchi considered banchan?
Yes. Kimchi is one of the most widely recognised forms of Korean banchan and is commonly enjoyed with rice, soups and other Korean dishes.
Do you eat banchan before the main meal?
Banchan is generally enjoyed throughout the meal rather than only before the main dish. You can alternate between banchan, rice, soup and other dishes at the table.
Is all banchan spicy?
No. Some banchan are spicy, but many are mild, savoury, tangy, fresh or lightly seasoned.
Does every Korean restaurant serve the same banchan?
No. The type and number of banchan can vary between restaurants and may also change according to the menu, ingredients or dishes being served.
Are Park Bong Sook banchan the same at every location?
Not necessarily. Menus and available side dishes can vary between Park Bong Sook locations, so customers should check the relevant location for its current menu and offerings.
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