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Ask anyone who has eaten a traditional Korean meal what surprised them most, and the answer is almost always the banchan. These small shared side dishes transform a simple bowl of rice and a main dish into a feast. Banchan come in dozens of varieties and are refilled throughout the meal at no extra cost. Here are five Korean side dishes that every food lover needs to know.
1. Kimchi
No list of Korean side dishes could start anywhere else. Kimchi is fermented vegetables, most commonly napa cabbage, seasoned with gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), garlic, ginger, salted shrimp or fish sauce, and green onion. Fresh kimchi is bright and crunchy; aged kimchi develops a sour funk perfect for cooking into stews, pancakes, and fried rice. Kimchi is not just a side dish: UNESCO recognized the cultural practice of making kimchi, known as kimjang, as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013.
2. Japchae
Japchae is a stir-fry of sweet potato glass noodles with colorful vegetables, including spinach, carrots, mushrooms, and onion, combined with beef and seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil. Sweet, savory, and satisfyingly chewy, japchae is one of the most beloved dishes in Korean cuisine and a fixture at celebrations and holiday tables.
3. Kongnamul Muchim
Kongnamul muchim is a simple, essential banchan of blanched soybean sprouts seasoned with sesame oil, garlic, green onion, and a pinch of gochugaru. It is mild, crunchy, and fresh, providing a textural contrast to richer dishes. In Jeonju, the home of Jeonju bibimbap, kongnamul is treated as a delicacy.
4. Gamja Jorim
Gamja jorim is a side dish of small potatoes braised in a sticky glaze of soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and gochugaru. The potatoes are cooked until tender on the inside and caramelized on the outside, with a sweet-savory-spicy flavor that is deeply addictive.
5. Gyeran Jjim
Gyeran jjim is a silky, custardy steamed egg dish served in a clay pot, puffed up and still sizzling when it arrives at the table. Made from beaten eggs, water or broth, and a small amount of seasoning, it is light, soft, and deeply comforting. The key to perfect gyeran jjim is the ratio of egg to liquid and steaming at just the right temperature.
Experiencing Korean side dishes at home is easier than you think. SnackFever is a monthly subscription box delivering Korea's most beloved snacks, sweets, and flavors to your door worldwide.