Banchan are the small shared side dishes that surround every Korean meal. Understanding banchan is key to understanding Korean dining culture.
What Is Banchan?
Banchan (반찬, side dishes) are the small dishes arranged around the central bowl of rice at a Korean meal. A standard Korean meal consists of rice (bap, 밥), soup or stew (guk or jjigae), and anywhere from two to twelve or more banchan. The banchan are placed in the center of the table and shared by everyone — unlike Western meals, where each person gets their own plate of everything.
The Philosophy Behind Banchan
The banchan system reflects a deep philosophy of balance in Korean food culture. A well-planned set of banchan will include contrasting flavors (spicy, salty, sweet, sour), textures (crunchy, soft, chewy), temperatures, and cooking methods (raw, blanched, braised, pickled, fermented). The goal is for each bite of rice to be different from the last as you move between dishes.
Types of Banchan
Banchan fall into several broad categories: namul (나물) — seasoned vegetables, either raw, blanched, or stir-fried; jorim (조림) — ingredients braised in soy sauce, sugar, and chili; gui (구이) — grilled or pan-fried proteins; jeon (전) — savory pancakes; and jang-jorim (장조림) — soy-braised proteins. Kimchi is technically banchan, though it has grown far beyond that classification.
How Banchan Are Served
In Korea, banchan are served communally — everyone at the table shares from the same small dishes. It is polite to use your chopsticks to take a modest amount to your rice bowl rather than eating directly from the communal dish. Banchan dishes are typically small, between 3-5 inches in diameter. At restaurants, it is normal and expected to ask for refills of banchan you enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is banchan?
Banchan (반찬) are small side dishes served alongside the main dish and rice at a Korean meal. They range from simple seasoned vegetables to fermented kimchi, braised proteins, and savory pancakes. They are placed in the center of the table for everyone to share.
How many banchan are served at a Korean meal?
A typical home meal might have 2-4 banchan, while a formal restaurant meal can have 6-12 or more. Traditional court cuisine (궁중요리) features 12 or more banchan. The number of banchan reflects the generosity of the host and the formality of the occasion.
Are banchan free at Korean restaurants?
In Korea, banchan are complimentary at almost every Korean restaurant — they are considered part of the meal. Many restaurants will refill them at no charge if you run out. Outside Korea, some Korean restaurants charge for banchan or provide fewer dishes.