What Is Banchan? A Simple Guide to Korean Side Dishes

If you visit a Korean restaurant, several small dishes may arrive before or with your main meal. These dishes are called banchan (반찬). They are an important part of Korean dining, but the system can be confusing for first-time visitors.

What Does Banchan Mean?

Banchan refers to dishes eaten together with rice. English speakers often call them “side dishes,” but they are not always treated as optional extras. They help create a balanced meal by adding different flavors, textures and ingredients.

Common Types of Banchan

• Kimchi: Fermented vegetables, commonly napa cabbage or radish.
• Namul: Seasoned vegetable dishes, often made with spinach, bean sprouts or wild greens.
• Jorim: Ingredients slowly simmered in a seasoned sauce.
• Bokkeum: Stir-fried dishes such as small anchovies or vegetables.
• Jeon: Ingredients coated with batter or egg and pan-fried.
• Muchim: Vegetables or other ingredients mixed with seasonings.

The exact selection depends on the restaurant, region, season and main dish.

Are Banchan Free?

At many Korean restaurants, a basic set of banchan is included with the meal rather than listed as separate menu items. However, this is a common practice—not a promise that every dish in every restaurant is free.

Special dishes, large portions or extra menu items may cost more. If you are unsure, ask the staff before ordering.

Can You Ask for Refills?

Many restaurants refill basic banchan at no additional charge. The easiest polite request is:

Banchan jom deo juseyo (반찬 좀 더 주세요) — “Please give me some more side dishes.”

Ask only for the dishes you expect to finish. Taking more food and leaving it untouched creates unnecessary waste.

How Should You Eat Banchan?

There is no required order. Take a small amount, eat it with rice and combine flavors according to your preference. Some dishes cool spicy food, while others add saltiness, acidity, sweetness or crunch.

Banchan are usually shared by everyone at the table. Use serving utensils when provided. If no serving utensil is available, follow the restaurant’s setup and avoid touching shared food unnecessarily.

Vegetarian and Allergy Warning

A vegetable dish is not automatically vegetarian. Kimchi and seasoned vegetables may contain fish sauce, salted seafood, anchovy stock or other animal ingredients.

If you have a serious allergy or dietary restriction, do not rely only on appearance. Explain the restriction clearly and confirm ingredients with the restaurant. Translation cards can help, but staff may not always be able to guarantee that cross-contact has not occurred.

Useful Korean Phrases

• Igeon mwoyeyo? (이건 뭐예요?) — What is this?
• Igeo maewoyo? (이거 매워요?) — Is this spicy?
• Banchan jom deo juseyo. (반찬 좀 더 주세요.) — More side dishes, please.
• Gwaenchanayo. (괜찮아요.) — No, thank you / I’m okay.

Final Tip

Think of banchan as part of the meal rather than decoration. Try small portions first, notice how the flavors work with rice and request a refill only when you need one. This simple approach makes a Korean meal more enjoyable and respectful.

Reference

Korean Food Promotion Institute – The Roots of Hansik, Home-Cooked Meals