Korean Spinach Side Dish (Sigeumchi Namul) Two Ways

Make Korean spinach side dish, sigeumchi namul, two ways — mild with soy sauce and sesame oil or bold with gochujang and doenjang. A quick, healthy spinach banchan you’ll want with every meal.

Spinach Banchan Two Ways: Classic and Spicy

In Korea, no meal feels complete without a few small side dishes, called banchan. Among them, spinach namul (시금치나물) is one of the simplest and most loved. Just a quick blanch, a squeeze, and a light seasoning turn fresh spinach into a healthy, flavorful dish that appears on everyday tables and in bibimbap

The soy sauce and sesame oil version is the one most Koreans know best — mild, nutty, and comforting. But in my hometown of Gyeongsang province of the south, we make spinach namul with gochujang and a little doenjang for a deeper, spicier flavor.

That’s the way my mom always prepared it. I enjoy both styles, but I often miss the hometown version — and my family loves it just as much as I do.

I’ll be sharing both versions here — the mild soy sauce style and the bold, spicy Gyeongsang style. They’re quick, simple, and each has its own charm. Try them both and see which one becomes your favorite.

Preparing the Spinach

Spinach for namul needs a thorough wash since dirt often hides around the roots and stems. I usually soak the bunch in a large bowl of water, then lift it out so the grit stays behind. A couple of rinses are enough to get it clean and ready to blanch.

Don’t skip this step — even a little grit can ruin the soft, delicate texture of the namul.

How to Make Spinach Namul

Classic Soy Sauce & Sesame Oil Version

Blanch the spinach quickly, rinse in cold water.

Squeeze out the excess moisture and cut the spinach into bite size pieces if the strands are too long.

A light mix with soup soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil is all it takes. This is the version most Koreans serve every day.

Tip: Use soup soy sauce (gukganjang) if you can — it seasons without darkening the spinach.

Spicy Gochujang & Doenjang Version

The base steps are the same, but the seasoning is bold and earthy with gochujang, a touch of doenjang, garlic, and sesame oil. Just rub the pastes between your fingers and toss everything up. My family loves when I make this version for a little extra kick at the table.

Tip: Adjust the spice level to your taste — I keep mine milder than my mom did.

I often make this spinach banchan when I cook beef bulgogi or LA galbi — the fresh, nutty flavor balances out the rich, marinated meat so well. If you’re planning a Korean BBQ night, I highly recommend pairing them together.

Storage Tip

Store in a container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can serve them chilled right out of fridge. Do not freeze. This spinach side dish doesn’t freeze well.

I first published this post in Feb, 2012 and have since updated it with additional write-up, images, and a video.