When you sit down at a Korean restaurant, don’t be surprised if a dozen little plates suddenly appear in front of you.
That’s banchan!
Quick Summary
- Banchan is a general term for the side dishes served in a Korean meal.
- When Koreans say banchan, we usually and traditionally mean every little dish except rice, kimchi, main dish, and soup.
- Banchan is complimentary at Korean restaurants.
What Is a Korean Banchan?
Banchan refers to the side dishes served with a Korean meal.
They’re not appetizers, not condiments, and definitely not optional.
You’ll find them in small dishes arranged in the center of the table around the main dish, shared by everyone.
Some banchan are served cold, others hot. And some are spicy, others mild.
Banchan is meant to support the main dish and gives you a variety of textures and flavors.
When Koreans say banchan, we usually and traditionally mean every dish except rice, kimchi, main dish, and soup.
What Is the Most Popular Korean Banchan?
You might think it’s kimchi. But baechu kimchi (napa cabbage) is practically always on the table. So, kimchi is just the beginning.
The top banchan that every Korean loves are
- Jangjorim (soy braised beef and quail eggs)
- Japchae (glass noodles with vegetables and meat)
- Myulchi Bokkeum (stir-fried dried baby anchovies)
- Gamjachae Bokkeum (stir-fried potatoes)
- Kongnamul Muchim (seasoned soybean sprouts)
- Gyeran-jjim (fluffy steamed egg)
- Gyeran Mari (rolled or folded omelet)
- Gamja Jorim (soy sauce-glazed potatoes)
- Oi Muchim (spicy crunchy cucumber salad)
Depending on the region or household, you might get different banchan.
Is Korean Banchan Healthy?
Korean banchan is healthy when it’s made traditionally.
Most are vegetable-based, lightly seasoned, and steamed, stir-fried, or fermented. They’re not deep-fried or smothered in heavy sauces.
Many of them use toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, and chili flakes, which are flavorful but not overly heavy.
Many banchan happen to be vegan or vegetarian without even trying.
Overall, banchan is one of the reasons Korean meals are considered nutritionally balanced.
They’re tasty and nutritious, and one reason why Koreans can eat so much and still stay fit.
Just watch out for some places that sweeten their banchan too much. If it tastes like dessert, it’s probably not healthy.
How Many Banchan Per Meal?
It really depends, but even a modest home meal will have at least 3 banchan on the table.
At a typical Korean restaurant, you might get 4 to 6, sometimes more.
A more formal or traditional spread like a hanjeongsik (Korean-style full-course meal) will easily give 10 to 20 different banchan.
In Jeolla Province, you’ll see a true banchan feast covering the entire table.
But there’s no magic number.
Banchan is all about enjoying variety and balance!
Is Banchan Free in Korea?
Yes! This is one of the best surprises for first-timers.
Banchan is complimentary at Korean restaurants.
You’ll get a fresh set when you sit down, and if you finish them, it’s totally normal to ask for free refills.
Just wave down your server or ring a bell on the table and say, “여기 반찬 좀 더 주세요 (Please give me some more banchan)” or more politely “반찬 좀 더 주실 수 있을까요? (Could you please give me some more side dishes?)”
A general rule of thumb is that you can ask for refills once, and twice if you’re really hungry. Restaurants usually don’t like it if you ask for them more than three times.
Many restaurants also have a “self” zone where you can dish up more banchan.
But let’s not abuse the system or waste food.
Why Do Koreans Eat Banchan?
The short answer is that it’s tradition and it’s delicious.
I grew up eating all kinds of banchan my mom made. It was so normal, I never even thought about it.
But banchan brings diversity to the table.
So, we don’t get sick of eating Korean food all day, every day for our entire life.
Because… there’s always something different on the table.
Of course, not having enough banchan can cause drama at home. Korean kids or husbands may grumble about the lack of side dishes. We call it “banchan tujeong (반찬 투정),” or whining about banchan.
What Are Some Korean Banchan Etiquette?
- Don’t gobble them up all at once.
Eating too quickly or too much too soon can come across as impolite or even selfish in a group setting. - Don’t stir, poke, or dig around.
When you reach in with your chopsticks, pick up whatever you touch first. - Don’t hog the favorites.
Some banchan (like glazed potatoes or japchae) disappear faster than others. Take a modest portion.
Side dishes are a defining feature of Korean cuisine.
They may look small, but their impact on the meal is huge.
They balance flavors, add variety, and reflect Korea’s communal dining culture.
