21 Easy & Quick Korean Side Dishes (Banchan)
Explore 21 Korean side dishes known as Banchan! They are the highlight of the Korean meals. Make these easy recipes, from vegetables to tofu, right in your kitchen.
Here is a collection of quick and easy Korean side dishes (Banchan). Banchan dishes are essential for any Korean meal and are key elements of Korean cuisine.
Enjoy a range of vegetable side dishes made from ingredients like soybean sprouts, cucumber, spinach, potatoes, tofu, and eggs. Many of these dishes are vegetarian or vegan-friendly.
These recipes are simple and fast, ready in 30 minutes or less. They use popular Korean cooking techniques such as blanching, steaming, braising, and pan-frying with simple seasonings.
Banchan pairs well with main dishes like bulgogi and Korean BBQ ribs, or just with a bowl of rice. Each dish offers a unique, healthy flavor.
What about kimchi? Yes, kimchi counts as a side dish in Korean cuisine, but it stands in a category all its own. Therefore, I haven’t included it in this banchan roundup. You can find numerous kimchi recipes on my site.
Easy & Quick Korean Side Dishes (Banchan)
Korean Bean Sprout Side Dish (Kongnamul Muchim)
We call this soybean sprout side dish, “a national side dish of Korea" because every household consumes this bean sprout Korean side dish at least once a week.
Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim)
This Korean braised tofu, called Dubu Jorim, is easy to make and flavorful. Pan-sear tofu slices, then braise them in a savory, spicy soy sauce with gochugaru. Serve with rice or noodles.
Korean Spinach Banchan (Two Ways)
Korean spinach banchan, also known as Sigumchi Namul, is a classic side dish in Korean cuisine. There are two delicious variations of this recipe – one made with soy sauce and the other with gochujang – that you can learn to make and choose your favorite.
Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim)
Korean cucumber salad (Oi Muchim) is a crunchy, refreshing side dish perfect for any meal. This quick, 10-minute recipe features a sweet, salty, spicy, and tangy sauce with a hint of gochujang.
Jangjorim (Soy Braised Beef with Eggs)
Jangjorim is a Korean side dish of soy-braised beef, often with eggs and shishito peppers. The beef is tender from braising and complements any Korean meal nicely.
Steamed Korean Eggplant (Gaji Namul)
Steamed Korean eggplant side dish is simple and healthy. Enjoy the vibrant purple color of eggplant along with its soft texture and delicious taste.
Crispy Pan Fried Tofu (Quick Korean Style)
Make crispy pan-fried tofu in 10 minutes! Enjoy Korean-style tofu (dubu buchim) with a golden crust and flavorful sauce, no long time pressing or cornstarch needed.
5-Minute Microwave Silken Tofu (Soft Tofu)
This Korean silken tofu (soft tofu) takes less than 5 minutes to prepare using a microwave. With a simple soy chili sauce, it makes easy, quick, healthy, and delicious side dish or a light meal.
Korean Braised Lotus Root
Lotus root makes a delectable Korean side dish. Braising with soy sauce and rice syrup creates a charming sweet and salty flavor. The glazed lotus root also has a unique texture, soft and chewy yet a little crispy.
Korean Steamed Eggs (Gyeran Jjim)
Enjoy fluffy, velvety Korean steamed eggs, also known as Gyeran Jjim. This easy recipe combines eggs and chicken stock, steamed to perfection in a small pot for a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth side dish.
Gamja Bokkeum (Korean Stir-Fried Potatoes)
Gamja Bokkeum is a Korean stir-fried potato dish with a soft yet chewy texture. It's easy to make with simple ingredients and full of flavor!
Easy Gamja Jorim (Korean Braised Potatoes)
Gamja Jorim is a popular Korean side dish made with potatoes braised in a sweet and savory soy sauce. This easy recipe takes the flavor of regular braised potatoes to the next level.
Korean Fish Cake Side Dish (Eomuk Bokkeum)
Eomuk bokkeum, a popular Korean fish cake side dish, is quick and easy to make with soy sauce, onions, and other basic Asian pantry ingredients.
Korean Dried Anchovy Side Dish (Two Recipes)
Dried anchovies make a tasty Korean side dish with the slightly sweet and salty flavor along with the crunchy texture. Here are two different Korean anchovy recipes that you can easily make at home.
Spicy Shredded Squid Side Dish
Dried shredded squid make a tasty Korean side dish. It is cooked with sweet and savory gochujang sauce. This chewy side dish is a popular item for Korean lunch box.
Korean Steamed Shishito Peppers
Korean steamed shishito peppers are a delightful and easy-to-make side dish that pairs well with many Korean main courses.
Homemade Roasted Seaweed Snacks
Making roasted seaweed snacks is a breeze. This recipe takes just 25 minutes to roast 30 sheets, resulting in crispy, nutty, and delicious snacks that are perfect for munching.
Pickled Cucumber Side Dish
Turn Asian pickled cucumbers into a spicy salad to eat with rice. Korean chili flakes and a hint of sugar makes this simple side dish delicious and makes it a great way to enjoy pickled cucumbers.
Korean Zucchini Side Dish
This Korean zucchini side dish (hobak bokkeum) is made by a quick simmering rather than stir-frying. This is a homestyle banchan that any Korean food lover will enjoy.
Korean Cabbage with Soybean Paste
A tender young spring Korean cabbage is tossed in Korean soybean paste. Any leafy vegetables can be used and perfect to serve with rice.
Quick Steamed Perilla Leaves (kkaennip jjim)
This steamed perilla leaves are seasoned with Korean soy sauce and chili flakes, then cooked in a microwave. It makes a quick side dish.
And there you have it – 21+ easy & quick Korean side dishes (Banchan) that you can enjoy with your loved ones! I hope this list brought you some inspiration for your Korean cooking adventure.
Easy and Quick Korean Side Dishes: Korean Bean Sprout
This Korean bean sprout side dish is made with soybean sprouts. It has a crunchy texture and nutty taste. This recipe is easy and quick to make.
Ingredients
- 12 oz soybean sprouts, cleaned
- 4 tbsp water
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 1 green onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp toasted sesam seeds
- 2 tsp Korean soup soy sauce (gukganjang)
- pinch salt, as needed
Instructions
- Put sprouts in a pot and pour in 4 tablespoon of water. Close the lid tightly and let the sprouts cook over medium heat for 6 minutes. Do not open the lid. If you have a glass lid, you will see the steamed water drips down under the lid.
- Remove the pot from the heat and open the lid. Stir and turn the sprouts so that the ones on the bottom come to the top and the ones on the top end up on the bottom, and wait for 30 seconds.
- Drain the spouts in a colander to remove the extra water and let cool for a couple of minutes.
- Place the warm sprouts in a large mixing bowl. Add garlic, green onion, Korean soy soy sauce, sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, and a pinch of salt. Toss the salad with your hand or using kitchen tongs to mix well.
- Taste the salad and add more salt if needed. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
Calories: 48kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 116mg, Potassium: 102mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 32IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 23mg, Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @beyondkimchee on Instagram. I love to see your masterpiece.
I’m going to make this dish for this coming Saturday nightÂ
Hello really looking forward to making several of your dishes. I love Korean food but am just now attempting to cook it for friends and family. My question is: how many bachan dishes is customary for a main course. When I go to a restaurant, it seems they always have several.
Welcome to my site, Faye!
Korean meals don’t have a set number of side dishes; some require only one, like kimchi, while others need more. Typically, a one-bowl dish such as rice or noodles pairs well with just kimchi, but meat or stew-based meals might call for additional vegetable sides. The usual starting point is at least 2 side dishes for 2 people, adjusting based on the number of diners—4-5 sides are sufficient for 6 people, but more is always an option. This flexible guideline caters to personal preference, with restaurants often offering more sides than a typical household. A notable feature of Korean cuisine is the inclusion of a simple side soup with meaty mains for an authentic experience, although it’s unnecessary when serving stew as the main. For soup inspiration, check out my Korean soup recipes.