What’s With All the Side Dishes? Banchan Culture Explained

The First Surprise at a Korean Meal: All Those Dishes!

If you’ve ever sat down at a Korean restaurant, one of the first things that might catch you off guard is the number of small dishes that start arriving—even before you order. These are called banchan (반찬), and they’re not appetizers or tapas. They're an essential part of the Korean dining experience.

This post will guide you through what banchan are, why they matter, how they reflect deep cultural values, and what to expect when you encounter them in Korea. Whether you’re a traveler, foodie, or just culturally curious, you’ll never look at those small plates the same way again.

A Korean meal table filled with colorful banchan side dishes, illustrating the variety, balance, and cultural richness of Korean cuisine.

What Is Banchan? More Than Just Side Dishes

Banchan refers to a variety of small dishes served along with rice in Korean meals. Unlike Western meals, where a single main dish takes center stage, Korean meals are communal and multi-dimensional.

Typical banchan may include:

  • Kimchi (fermented vegetables)

  • Namul (seasoned greens)

  • Jeon (savory pancakes)

  • Jorim (soy-braised dishes)

  • Stir-fried anchovies or tofu

  • Pickled radish

Banchan aren’t meant to be finished—they're replenishable and shared. You eat them slowly throughout your meal, choosing a little of this and that, creating your own balance of flavors with every bite.

The Cultural Philosophy Behind Banchan

Banchan isn’t just about flavor; it reflects Korea’s communal spirit and philosophy of balance. Here’s what it says about Korean culture:

  • Harmony over hierarchy: No one dish dominates. Each banchan complements the others.

  • Yin-Yang balance: Dishes often combine cold/hot, spicy/mild, crunchy/soft to create equilibrium.

  • Community and sharing: Meals are enjoyed together, with everyone reaching for the same dishes. There’s a social choreography involved—taking just enough, leaving some for others.

Historically, Korea’s royal court cuisine had up to 12 types of banchan. Today’s table may have 3~5, or more depending on the restaurant or household, but the idea of balance and harmony lives on.

Types of Banchan You’re Likely to Encounter

Here’s a closer look at common banchan you’ll likely see:

1. Kimchi

The most famous and foundational banchan. There are over 200 types, with napa cabbage and radish kimchi being the most common.

2. Namul

Blanched and seasoned greens like spinach (sigeumchi-namul) or soybean sprouts (kongnamul), often flavored with sesame oil and garlic.

3. Jeon

Mini pancakes made from vegetables, meat, or seafood, lightly battered and pan-fried.

4. Jorim

Ingredients like tofu, eggs, or radish braised in soy-based sauces for a rich, savory taste.

5. Stir-fried Anchovies (Myulchi-bokkeum)

Tiny dried anchovies stir-fried with soy sauce and sugar. Crunchy, salty, and a bit sweet.

6. Pickles and Fermented Delights

Quick pickled cucumbers, spicy radishes, and fermented soybean pastes round out the flavor profile.

Each of these isn’t just tasty—they’re preserved, practical, and rooted in Korean seasons and history.

Why So Many Dishes? And Why Are They Free?

Foreigners often ask: “Why are there so many dishes?” or “How are they all free?”

The answer lies in Korea’s culinary identity. Banchan are part of the meal itself, not extra. Their presence shows hospitality and care. In fact, in Korean homes, the preparation of banchan is an expression of love and effort.

Restaurants typically prepare banchan in bulk, often using local seasonal ingredients. That’s why they can serve them without extra charge—and why you’ll sometimes get different sets depending on the day.

📝 Pro Tip: If you really enjoy a particular banchan, it’s perfectly okay to politely ask for more. Most places will happily refill them.

Personal Story: My First Time Eating Banchan

When I first visited Seoul, I remember sitting down at a small BBQ place. Before we even touched the grill, the table filled with tiny plates—some spicy, some sweet, some totally unfamiliar. I didn’t know what to do.

The Korean friend I was with smiled and said, “Don’t worry, just try everything.” I did—and found myself building the perfect bite: grilled meat, rice, kimchi, and a sliver of pickled radish.

Since then, I’ve realized that banchan isn’t just food—it’s a way of understanding how Koreans eat: with intention, balance, and a lot of flavor in every spoonful.

Final Thoughts: Banchan Is the Heart of Korean Meals

Banchan is not a side show. It’s the soul of Korean dining. It teaches us that food can be pluralistic, generous, and deeply cultural.

If you're planning to visit Korea, take time to appreciate these small dishes—not just as tastes, but as traditions. Don’t rush through them. Mix, match, ask questions, and enjoy the sensory adventure.

Popular posts from this blog

What It’s Really Like to Live in Korea as a Foreigner

Image
Living in Korea as a Foreigner: Culture, Challenges, and Everyday Moments Living in Korea as a foreigner is both a fascinating and complex experience. It’s a country that dazzles with high-speed internet, world-class public transport, and a rich culture of food, music, and history. But beneath the surface of k-pop glitz and Seoul city lights, daily life can be full of contradictions - moments that are both exciting and humbling, liberating and isolating. This guide explores what it’s really like to live in Korea as a non-Korean. No sugarcoating. Whether you're planning to move, already here, or just curious, you'll find real insights about housing, work culture, social norms, and the unspoken rules of everyday life. 1. The First Shock: Culture Clash and Subtle Social Codes The biggest adjustment for most foreigners isn’t language - it’s the invisible social codes. Korea is a Confucian society at its core, and that influences everything from how you greet someone t...
Read more

What Nunchi Really Means and Why It Matters

Image
Understanding Nunchi: Korea’s Silent Social Intelligence You may have heard the term nunchi being casually mentioned in K-dramas or Korean conversations. But what exactly does it mean? Often translated as “eye-measure” or “reading the room,” nunchi is one of Korea’s most deeply rooted yet least understood cultural concepts. It’s not just about being polite or observant—it’s a form of emotional intelligence that shapes how people interact in social, professional, and even family contexts. In this post, we’ll explore what nunchi really is, why it matters in Korean society, how foreigners often misunderstand it, and how you can develop your own nunchi to thrive in Korean cultural settings. 1. What Is Nunchi, Really? Nunchi (눈치) literally means "eye-measure"—the ability to sense other people’s moods, unspoken feelings, and social dynamics. It's not a fixed set of rules, but a fluid skill that requires quiet observation, fast processing, and subtle reaction. In everyday life,...
Read more

Unspoken Rules in Korean Society You Should Know

Image
Understanding Korea Beyond Words – Unspoken Rules Every Foreigner Should Know Respecting Age and Hierarchy Is Not Optional In Korea, age isn’t just a number—it shapes the way people interact, especially when it comes to speech levels and social behaviors. When you meet someone, one of the first questions is, "How old are you?" This may seem intrusive in Western cultures, but in Korea, it helps determine which level of politeness (존댓말) to use. It's also about knowing your place in the hierarchy. For instance, if you're having dinner with a group and someone turns out to be older—even by a single year—it's expected that you pour their drink first and wait for them to eat before starting. Not doing so might come off as disrespectful. This hierarchy seeps into all parts of life: school, the workplace, even friendships. Learning to navigate it will go a long way in forming genuine connections. Silence Speaks Volumes in Korean Society If someone responds to your...
Read more