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Side Dishes & Kimchi 반찬·김치

24 Korean side dishes and kimchis explained — what's in each one, how spicy it is, and how to order it.

Banchan (반찬) are the small side dishes that come with almost every Korean meal — kimchi, seasoned vegetables (namul), braised potatoes, fish cake and rolled omelette. They are shared by the table and usually refilled for free; many restaurants have a self-service refill station.

Good to know

There are many kinds of kimchi: napa cabbage kimchi is the default, cubed radish kimchi (kkakdugi) goes with soups, and white kimchi and water kimchi are not spicy. Most kimchi is made with fish sauce or salted shrimp, so it is not vegetarian unless it says so.

Quick picks

From our dish notes. Recipes vary, so ask if an ingredient matters to you.

Not spicy

Usually vegetarian

No pork

All of them.

Questions about Korean side dishes

Are side dishes free in Korean restaurants?

Yes — banchan come with the meal and refills are usually free. Ask the staff (반찬 더 주세요, banchan deo juseyo) or use the self-service bar if there is one.

Is kimchi vegetarian?

Usually not: most kimchi contains fish sauce or salted shrimp. Seasoned vegetables (namul) such as spinach and bean sprouts are normally vegetarian.

Which Korean side dishes are not spicy?

Not spicy: Water Kimchi, White Kimchi, Seasoned Bean Sprouts, Seasoned Spinach, Seasoned Bracken, Stir-fried Anchovies, Braised Potatoes, Soy-braised Beef, Rolled Omelette, Gim, Yellow Pickled Radish, Sweet Soy Black Beans, Leafy Greens for Wraps.

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