Side dishes Recipes
624 recipes. Page 7 of 26
Side dishes (banchan) are the heart of Korean dining culture. A typical meal features multiple small plates - seasoned vegetables (namul), braised dishes (jorim), pickled items, and salted seafood. Classics like spinach namul, bean sprout salad, and stir-fried anchovies can be prepared in advance and enjoyed over several days.
Korean Cauliflower Jangajji (Pickled Cauliflower)
Korean pickled cauliflower made by soaking bite-sized florets in a boiled-and-cooled brine of soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar. The dense, compact structure of cauliflower absorbs the pickling liquid at a gradual pace, developing flavor over time without turning soft - a texture advantage over vegetables like cucumber or radish that break down faster. Vinegar and sugar balance each other cleanly, and the soy sauce adds a low layer of umami beneath the bright, tangy top note. The pickle works well as a palate cleanser alongside fried or grilled food, and holds up just as well as a plain rice side. The preparation is simple: boil the brine, let it cool, pour it over the florets, and wait.
Korean Spicy Squid Salad (Gochujang Blanched Squid)
Ojingeo-muchim tosses blanched squid in a gochujang-vinegar dressing for a tangy, spicy seafood banchan that works equally well as a rice side dish or as anju with drinks. Squid, unlike vegetables, has an extremely narrow blanching window that determines the entire outcome: one minute to ninety seconds in boiling water is the limit. Beyond that, the proteins contract and the texture turns rubbery; under that, the interior stays translucent and fishy. Plunging into ice water immediately after blanching halts carryover cooking and locks in the ideal springy-bouncy texture. The dressing combines gochujang, gochugaru, vinegar, sugar, garlic, sesame oil, and sesame seeds, with vinegar playing the pivotal role - it introduces a sharp acidity over the squid's marine umami, forming a triangular balance with the chili heat. Julienned onion and cucumber mixed in add textural variety and stretch the portion. A popular variation stirs in one tablespoon of mayonnaise, whose emulsified fat wraps around the heat and produces a milder, creamier version.
Chonggak Muchim
Chonggak muchim seasons 400 g of young ponytail radish with gochugaru, fish sauce, garlic, sugar, scallion, and vinegar. Wash away all grit and retain any tender green tops that are attached. Slice the radish diagonally to about 0.5 cm so each piece has a broad surface for the seasoning. Sprinkle the slices evenly with 1 tablespoon coarse salt and let them stand for 15 minutes, turning them once halfway through. Rinse the salted radish only once in cold water, drain it in a colander, and press out the remaining moisture so the seasoning is not diluted. In a separate bowl, combine 2 tablespoons gochugaru, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Stir until no dry pepper flakes remain. Add the drained radish and 2 tablespoons chopped scallion, then use your fingertips to coat both sides of every slice without crushing them. Mix in 1 teaspoon vinegar only after the red seasoning is evenly distributed. Let the finished muchim stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving. The method separates salting, rinsing, draining, and seasoning into clear stages, which makes it easier to control the amount of surface moisture and spread the thick pepper mixture evenly over the radish.
Korean Stir-fried Chives and Shrimp
Deveined shrimp are dried thoroughly and seared over high heat until their shells turn pink, then tossed briefly with garlic chives for a stir-fry that takes under ten minutes from cutting board to plate. Removing every trace of surface moisture before the shrimp hit the pan is the single most important step; residual water generates steam and turns the sear into a braise, leaving the shrimp pale and soft instead of lightly caramelized. Sliced garlic goes into the oil first to build an aromatic base that clings to every ingredient. One tablespoon of soy sauce paired with a teaspoon of oyster sauce amplifies the natural seafood umami without tipping the dish into excessive saltiness, and black pepper sharpens the finish. The chives must go in last and cook for no more than sixty seconds; any longer and they lose their vivid color and turn stringy. At 220 calories with 26 grams of protein per serving, this dish fills the role of a satisfying yet light side that pairs well with steamed rice or slides neatly into a packed lunch.
Korean Grilled Gizzard Shad
Jeoneo-gui is a grilled gizzard shad dish that captures the best of autumn, when this small fish is at peak fat content and flavor. The fish is scored on both sides with close, shallow cuts, rubbed with coarse salt, and left to rest for ten minutes before grilling. The resting time allows surface moisture to draw out, which reduces fishiness and creates the conditions for a properly crisp skin over a hot pan or grill. Gizzard shad has numerous fine, small bones that make the raw fish awkward to eat, but scoring densely and cooking over high heat softens the bones through heat, allowing the entire fish to be eaten without picking. A ginger soy dipping sauce - minced ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sliced cheongyang chili - accompanies the fish to cut through its notable oiliness, with the sharp ginger note neutralizing the fishy aroma. Autumn gizzard shad is so prized in Korea that the proverb says its grilling smell is enough to bring a daughter-in-law back home.
Korean Sweet Potato Pancakes
Goguma-jeon is a Korean sweet potato pancake made by julienning peeled sweet potatoes, folding them into a batter of pancake mix, water, salt, and a touch of sugar, then spreading the mixture thin in an oiled pan and frying both sides until golden. The sweet potato's starch gelatinizes in the heat and bonds with the batter to create lacy, crisp edges, while the center retains the tuber's natural moist sweetness. Keeping the pancake thin is non-negotiable-pressing the batter flat with the back of a spoon ensures even cooking and maximum crunch, because thick portions steam internally and turn soggy. Adding a teaspoon of sugar to the batter amplifies the sweet potato's subtle sweetness and encourages faster caramelization at the edges.
Korean Braised Kelp Strips
Dasima jorim is a banchan that repurposes dried kelp - typically discarded after making stock - into a glossy, chewy side dish through slow braising. The kelp is soaked in cold water for at least twenty minutes until it softens and becomes pliable, then cut into strips roughly one centimeter wide. Simmered in soy sauce, rice syrup, cooking wine, and garlic over medium-low heat for fifteen minutes or more, the braising liquid gradually reduces and thickens into a lacquer-like glaze that coats each strip on all sides. The rice syrup contributes both sweetness and the shine that gives the dish its visual appeal. The resulting texture is difficult to compare - somewhere between the springiness of gummy candy and the firm bite of pasta al dente, resilient but with a clean snap when bitten through. Refrigerated overnight, the seasoning penetrates the dense seaweed fibers more deeply, and the flavor continues to intensify over several days, making it a banchan that improves the longer it sits.
Korean Celery Jangajji (Blanched Soy Lemon Pickle)
Celery jangajji is a Korean soy pickle made by briefly blanching celery stalks to tame their fibrous exterior, then submerging them in a boiled brine of soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar. Peeling away the tough outer strings and cutting into five-centimeter lengths before a thirty-second blanch removes the raw grassy edge while leaving the celery's distinctive cool, herbal scent intact. Lemon slices and whole garlic cloves added to the jar contribute a gentle citrus brightness and mild pungency that build quietly as the pickle rests. After two days in the refrigerator the brine penetrates evenly, producing a crisp, tangy side dish that pairs particularly well with grilled or braised pork. By the fourth or fifth day the flavors deepen further, and even those put off by raw celery's sharpness tend to find the pickled version approachable.
Korean Scallion Salad (Spicy Green Onion Grilled Meat Side)
Pa-muchim is a julienned green onion salad that serves as a classic accompaniment to Korean grilled meat. The onions are soaked in cold water for 10 minutes to draw out harsh sulfur compounds, leaving only a clean crispness behind. A dressing of soy sauce, red pepper flakes, sugar, vinegar, and sesame oil coats the thin strands, delivering a balance of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy notes in each bite. Toasted sesame seeds scattered on top contribute a lingering nuttiness. The salad should be eaten promptly after tossing, as the onions begin to wilt within minutes; placed on top of grilled pork belly or bulgogi, the sharp freshness cuts through the richness of the meat.
Chwinamul
Chwinamul uses 200 g of fresh chamchwi greens, briefly blanched and seasoned with garlic, perilla oil, salt, and sesame seeds. Trim the tough stem ends and swish the leaves under running water, rinsing again if any grit remains between the broad surfaces. Bring 1 liter of water to a strong boil before adding the greens. Turn the bundle as it blanches for about 1 minute so the leaves and stems heat evenly. Remove it when the leaves look brighter and the stems bend slightly. Transfer the greens to cold water for at least 30 seconds to stop the residual heat, swish them again, and squeeze firmly with both hands until excess water no longer drips. Loosen the compressed bundle before adding 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 tablespoon perilla oil, and 0.5 teaspoon salt. Spreading these seasonings across the opened leaves prevents one section from receiving most of the salt. Massage the greens with your fingertips for about 30 seconds, stopping when every leaf has a light coating, then finish with 1 teaspoon sesame seeds. There is no pan cooking after blanching in this recipe. The texture is controlled by the short blanch, immediate cooling, and thorough draining, while loosening the squeezed greens helps the fixed amount of seasoning distribute evenly.
Korean Busan-Style Stir-fried Fish Cake
Busan-style stir-fried fish cake begins with a step that separates it from rushed versions: square fish cake sheets are blanched for twenty seconds in boiling water to remove the residual processing oil from manufacturing. Skipping this produces a flat, industrial greasiness in the finished dish that no amount of seasoning corrects. Oil goes into a hot pan, minced garlic is fried briefly until fragrant, and julienned onion and carrot are added next and cooked for two minutes until their natural sugars begin to release. The blanched fish cake strips go in, followed by soy sauce and oligosaccharide syrup. As the soy sauce hits the hot pan surface, it reduces almost instantly into a thin, glossy glaze that coats every surface; the oligosaccharide syrup caramelizes in the residual heat, building a sweet-salty layer underneath. High heat and a total cook time of three minutes or less is essential - fish cake left on the stove beyond that loses its moisture and turns rubbery. Diagonally sliced green onion goes in at the very end, added off the heat to preserve its fresh bite. A scatter of sesame seeds finishes the dish. Because the flavors are stable at room temperature and do not deteriorate as the dish cools, it is a reliable and practical side dish for packed lunches.
Korean Horse Mackerel with Yuzu Soy Glaze
Horse mackerel is marinated in a sauce of yuzu marmalade, soy sauce, cooking wine, and garlic, then grilled on a grill pan until the skin crisps and chars lightly. The citrus notes from the yuzu naturally suppress fishiness while harmonizing with the soy sauce saltiness. Brushing the remaining glaze in the final minute gives the skin a lacquered sheen. Sesame oil and sliced scallion complete the dish with a toasted, aromatic finish. The brevity of the ingredient list belies how decisively the yuzu transforms a grilled fish into something bright and fragrant.
Korean Pan-fried Oyster Jeon
Gul-jeon is a Korean dish featuring oysters that are pan-fried in a delicate coating of flour and egg. The preparation starts with fresh seasonal oysters that are rinsed carefully in a mild salt water solution to ensure they are clean. Once the rinsing is complete, it is necessary to pat each oyster until it is thoroughly dry. This particular step is crucial because residual water leads to oil splattering during the frying process and prevents the flour from adhering to the surface in a uniform manner. The intended result is a very thin layer of flour, as a thick coating will muffle the natural oceanic brine of the oyster. After the light dusting of flour, the oysters are submerged in beaten egg. This egg batter serves as an insulating layer that conducts heat slowly into the center of the seafood. This specific cooking method keeps the interior of the oyster plump and moist while the exterior reaches a soft golden color. As the oysters cook, they release a distinct mineral aroma associated with fresh seafood. Adding finely chopped garlic chives shortly before the cooking is finished provides a sharp, garlicky contrast that emphasizes the natural mineral profile of the dish. It is important to cook the oysters over a steady medium flame for approximately two minutes on each side. If the heat is set too high, the egg exterior will scorch before the inside is sufficiently warmed through. When flipping the oysters, you should do so carefully and avoid pressing down on them with a spatula. In instances where the oysters are exceptionally large, pressing them into a flatter shape prior to the start of the cooking process will facilitate more even heat distribution throughout the piece.
Korean Soy-Braised Deodeok Root
Deodeok-jorim is a Korean braised banchan made from deodeok root simmered in soy sauce, rice syrup, garlic, and sesame oil until each piece takes on a glossy, lacquered coating. The root's pronounced bitter-herbal aroma softens considerably as the sweet-salty glaze penetrates during cooking, while the interior stays dense and pleasantly chewy throughout. A single green chili stirred in near the end contributes a restrained background heat, and toasted sesame seeds with a final drizzle of sesame oil add a nutty dimension on top. Deodeok is a foraged mountain root prized for its earthy, slightly resinous character, and this preparation tames that wild quality just enough to make it approachable as a daily side dish. Paired with other vegetable banchan, it anchors the kind of traditional Korean table that prioritizes vegetables over protein.
Korean Chamnamul Jangajji (Pimpinella Pickles)
Chamnamul jangajji is a quick-pickled Korean spring green made with the herb's distinct aromatic character preserved in a soy-and-apple-vinegar brine. The greens are cut to chopstick length and packed loosely in a jar, then covered with brine that has been brought to a boil and allowed to cool to lukewarm before pouring. Pouring while still hot would drive off the volatile compounds responsible for chamnamul's herbal fragrance, so temperature control here is essential. Apple vinegar produces a softer, rounder acidity than standard rice vinegar, which means it seasons the greens without overpowering their grassy character. A squeeze of lemon juice is added to the cooled brine to sharpen the finish without adding harshness. After one day in the refrigerator the pickle is ready to eat, and it holds its best aroma for up to five days. Serve alongside rice or tuck a few stems into a ssam wrap with grilled pork to let the herb's brightness counter the fat.
Korean Tofu and Bell Pepper Salad
Paprika-dubu-muchim combines 300 grams of blanched firm tofu, crumbled coarsely by hand, with julienned red and yellow bell peppers, cucumber, and onion in a soy-vinegar dressing. Blanching the tofu for just one minute removes any raw bean flavor while preserving a soft, creamy texture that contrasts with the crisp, sweet snap of the peppers. The onion is soaked in cold water for three minutes to tame its bite before joining the bowl. Sesame oil and minced garlic round out the dressing, adding depth without heaviness. Chilling the finished dish for 10 minutes before serving sharpens the vegetable flavors and makes the tofu firmer to the bite.
Korean Chwinamul with Doenjang
This banchan brings together chwinamul, a foraged spring green with a pronounced bitter edge, and doenjang, Korea's pungent fermented soybean paste, producing a side dish where two assertive flavors push against each other and settle into something deeper than either alone. The greens are blanched for two minutes, squeezed firmly to remove excess water, and cut to an even length before seasoning. Doenjang, soup soy sauce, minced garlic, sesame oil, and perilla powder are added and worked in by hand, pressing the thick paste into the porous leaf tissue so that the salty, fermented depth clings to every strand and the seasoning does not slide off during plating. The natural bitterness of the chwinamul does not disappear under the doenjang but transforms instead, losing its sharpness and becoming layered and rounded. Letting the dressed greens rest for five minutes before serving allows the seasoning to penetrate fully, which sharpens and deepens the overall flavor in a way that is noticeable even from the first resting period. In winter months, dried chwinamul soaked overnight in cold water is used instead of fresh; the texture is softer and less fibrous but the compatibility with doenjang holds completely.
Korean Busan-Style Soy Fish Cake Stir-Fry
For this Busan-style soy fish cake stir-fry, cut 300 g fish cake lengthwise into strips about 0.5 cm wide. If the surface feels excessively oily, blanch the strips for only 10 seconds and drain them thoroughly so the sauce can cling. Slice 100 g onion and one cheongyang chili to a similar width; pieces that are much thinner can scorch before the fish cake browns. In a small bowl, dissolve 1 teaspoon sugar in 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon cooking wine, and 1 teaspoon minced garlic. Heat 1 tablespoon cooking oil in a wide pan over high heat, then stir-fry the onion for 1 minute until its edges turn translucent. Add the fish cake and cook for 2 minutes, moving the strips enough to give their surfaces light color. Pour in the prepared sauce, lower the heat to medium, and toss for 30 seconds so every strip receives an even coating. Add the sliced chili for the final minute. Stop when almost no sauce remains on the bottom of the pan, then turn off the heat and scatter 1 teaspoon sesame seeds over the fish cake. The finished coating should cling to the strips rather than pool beneath them, with the chili added late enough to retain its sharp aroma.
Korean Grilled Yellow Croaker
Yellow croaker is scaled and gutted, then salted for ten minutes to draw surface moisture out of the flesh, which simultaneously reduces any fishy odor and firms the exterior slightly before cooking. A light dusting of flour creates a thin barrier between the skin and the hot oil, preventing the delicate skin from sticking to the pan and forming a fine crisp layer that holds the juices inside. The mild, clean white flesh of yellow croaker is one of its most valued qualities, and the flour coating allows that flavor to express itself without interruption from heavy seasoning. Knowing when to flip is the central technique: the fish should not be touched until the underside has turned fully golden-brown and released naturally from the pan surface, at which point two wide spatulas used simultaneously keep the body intact through the turn. Yellow croaker has been a fixture on ancestral memorial tables (jesa-sang) and ceremonial spreads throughout Korean history, and remains a steady everyday banchan alongside rice and soup.
Assorted Korean Pancakes (Holiday Mixed Jeon Platter)
Hanjeongsik jeon-modeum is a mixed Korean pancake platter that brings together meat patties, zucchini jeon, shiitake mushroom jeon, and stuffed green chili jeon on a single serving board, forming the visual and gastronomic centerpiece of Seollal and Chuseok holiday tables. Each ingredient is cut to portion size, dusted lightly in flour, coated in beaten egg, and pan-fried over medium heat until both sides turn a deep golden. The single most important rule is to fry in small batches of three to four pieces at a time -- overcrowding drops the pan temperature sharply and causes the egg batter to absorb oil rather than set, leaving the jeon heavy and greasy instead of crisp and light. Meat patties made from a balanced mix of tofu, beef, and pork hold their shape while staying tender, and zucchini rounds need to be salted and pressed dry beforehand to prevent oil spatter during frying. For shiitake, removing the stem and dusting flour onto the inner gill side ensures the egg coating adheres evenly. A small dipping bowl of cho-ganjang -- soy sauce sharpened with a splash of rice vinegar -- cuts through the richness of the oil and draws out the contrast between the patties' deep savory flavor, the mild sweetness of zucchini, and the subtle heat of the peppers.
Soy Braised Pork Back Ribs
This dish features pork back ribs slow-braised with potatoes and carrots in a sweet and savory soy sauce glaze. Preparing the ribs involves soaking them in cold water for an hour and parboiling them for ten minutes. This initial cooking step removes blood, foam, and strong odors, creating a clean base that absorbs the seasonings effectively. The soy sauce marinade incorporates pear juice, which acts as a natural tenderizer to soften the meat fibers, allowing the pork to pull away from the bone easily after forty minutes of simmering. As the potatoes and carrots cook alongside the ribs, they absorb the rich braising liquid, concentrating their natural sweetness. The dish is finished by reduction until the glaze coats the ribs with a glossy sheen before turning off the heat.
Korean Chamnamul Kimchi (Pimpinella Kimchi)
Chamnamul kimchi is a spring kimchi made by salting chamnamul greens for just ten minutes to wilt them slightly, then dressing with gochugaru, anchovy fish sauce, and salted shrimp without rinsing. Skipping the rinse allows the residual salt to convert into umami during fermentation rather than being washed away, deepening the overall flavor. Pureed Korean pear and onion blended with sweet rice paste form the seasoning base, contributing a natural sweetness that rounds off the sharp edges of the chili heat. After three hours of initial fermentation at room temperature followed by refrigeration, the kimchi reaches its best balance within one to two days, when the grassy herbal aroma of chamnamul aligns with the fermented depth of the fish sauce. Because chamnamul has a high moisture content, fermentation moves quickly, and the kimchi softens past its peak if left too long. Best consumed within three to four days for optimal texture and fragrance.
Korean Fresh Lettuce Geotjeori
Sangchu-geotjeori is a last-minute lettuce salad where 120 grams of lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces, is tossed for no more than 20 seconds in a dressing of red pepper flakes, soy sauce, vinegar, plum syrup, minced garlic, and sesame oil. The lettuce must be thoroughly dried after washing so the dressing adheres to the leaves rather than pooling at the bottom. Thinly sliced onion adds crunch and a sharp edge that complements the mild bitterness of the lettuce. Plum syrup provides a fruity sweetness that is more subtle than granulated sugar, while the vinegar tempers the chili heat. Serving immediately is critical - within minutes the leaves begin to wilt, losing the crisp texture that defines this dish.
Chwinamul Perilla Muchim
Chwinamul perilla muchim starts with 250 g of greens and finishes them in a skillet with perilla oil, water, and perilla seed powder. Remove the tough stem ends and yellow leaves, then swish the greens twice in cold water and clear any grit from between the leaves. Blanch them in strongly boiling water for 2 minutes. Rinse immediately in cold water, squeeze firmly until they stop dripping, and cut the bundle into 4 to 5 cm lengths. Loosen the strands in a bowl while mixing in 1.5 tablespoons soup soy sauce, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, and 20 g green onion. Heat 1 tablespoon perilla oil over medium heat and stir-fry the seasoned greens for 1 minute. Add 80 ml water and simmer for 2 minutes so the stems cook in the seasoned liquid. Reduce the heat to low before adding 2 tablespoons perilla powder. Stir for about 30 seconds, watching the remaining liquid combine with the powder into a pale paste that coats the leaves and stems. Turn off the heat and finish with 1 teaspoon sesame seeds. Thorough draining keeps the first seasoning from becoming watery, while lowering the heat before the final mixing stage gives enough control to stop when the perilla coating reaches the intended thickness.
About Side dishes
Great banchan balances seasoning with the natural flavor of each ingredient. Sesame oil, perilla oil, soy sauce, and fermented pastes work together to pack deep flavor into every small serving.