What Exactly Is Banchan?

Korean names

• 반찬banchanSide dishes eaten with rice
• 김치kimchiFermented, seasoned vegetables, one kind of banchan
• 계란말이gyeran-mariKorean rolled omelet, a familiar everyday side dish

The cultural side

Banchan is the word for the side dishes that go with rice. They can be cold or warm, mild or spicy, crunchy or soft, and they are not the main event. They exist to make the rice and the rest of the meal more interesting.

Because they are meant to be shared and mixed, there is no strict order. You eat what looks good next.

How it shows up at the table

1. A rice bowl with three or four small sides on the table.
2. A quick lunch of rice, an egg dish, and kimchi.
3. Leftover sides turned into a simple meal with a bowl of rice.