TASTY HANGUL · KOREAN FOOD GUIDE
Quick Help: Banchan
- Banchan: little plates that come with a Korean meal — not a separate order.
- Usually included in the meal price. Many places refill at no extra charge, but it can vary.
- 밥도둑 (bapdoduk) = “rice thief” — so tasty your rice disappears.
- Ask for more: 사장님, 여기 반찬 좀 더 주세요.
- Want plenty? Try a Korean buffet (한식 뷔페).
Hey, Sikgu!
Wondering what “Sikgu” means? Find out here →
Wait, I didn’t order these!
Here’s something that surprises people when they order food at a Korean restaurant: little plates of food they never asked for start showing up at their table.
Kimchi, bean sprouts, stir-fried fish cakes, spinach, rolled omelet, sausages, seaweed, soy-braised meat or eggs… The selection varies from restaurant to restaurant.
So why are they giving me all this? And wait, I can get refills too? Is there an extra charge?!
What Is Banchan?
Rice + banchan + soup!
That’s a common basic setup for a Korean meal. Today, let’s take a closer look at banchan.
Koreans usually eat their rice together with several side dishes.
Banchan is usually translated as “side dishes.” But rather than thinking of them as extras you order separately, think of them as foods you enjoy alongside your rice or main dish.
Let’s Read Hangul!
반찬 Banchan
| 반 ban ㅂ + ㅏ + ㄴ | 찬 chan ㅊ + ㅏ + ㄴ |
반 + 찬 = 반찬!
반 = ㅂ + ㅏ + ㄴ · b + a + n → ban
찬 = ㅊ + ㅏ + ㄴ · ch + a + n → chan
Notice the final ㄴ (n) — that’s the 받침 (batchim) in both syllables.
반찬 Banchan
Most of the foods served on little plates alongside your rice or main dish are called banchan.
The banchan that come with your meal are usually included in the price. Many places will also give you more at no extra charge when you ask! That said, it can vary by restaurant and by dish.
My Favorite “Rice Thief” Banchan
In Korea, food so delicious that it makes a whole bowl of rice disappear in no time is called 밥도둑 (bapdoduk).
밥 (bap) = rice
도둑 (doduk) = thief
밥 + 도둑 = 밥도둑 — “rice thief”!
The food is so tasty that your rice disappears before you know it—as if someone stole it! Calling something 밥도둑 is a way of saying it’s really delicious.
Want to try using it? Point to a tasty side dish and say this to a Korean friend or the restaurant staff:
SAY THIS
와, 이거 정말 밥도둑인데요!
Wa, igeo jeongmal bapdodugindeyo!
“Wow, this is a real rice thief!”
Here are some banchan I personally love.
진미채 · Jinmichae — Dried shredded squid
Dried shredded squid tossed or stir-fried in a sauce made with soy sauce or gochujang (Korean red chili paste).
어묵볶음 · Eomuk bokkeum — Stir-fried fish cakes
Sliced fish cakes stir-fried with soy sauce and sugar.
김 · Gim — Seaweed
Gim is a rice thief. Give me rice, gim, kimchi, and a fried egg, and I’ll finish a bowl of rice in no time! Seasoned gim—toasted with oil and salt—is delicious, but plain dried gim, simply toasted and dipped in soy sauce, tastes great too.
장조림 · Jangjorim — Soy-braised meat or eggs
Meat, quail eggs, or chicken eggs simmered in a soy-based sauce until they soak up the flavor. Another rice thief, of course.
Ah… just writing this makes me want a bowl of rice.
Want to Try Plenty of Banchan? Visit a Korean Buffet!
If you want to enjoy banchan to your heart’s content, I also recommend a Korean buffet (한식 뷔페).
You can help yourself to the day’s main dishes and various banchan, taking as much as you’d like.
Office workers enjoy these buffets for a filling, affordable lunch. Give one a try!
Let’s Ask for More Banchan!
At some restaurants, banchan is self-service, so you help yourself. At others, you ask the staff for more.
Shall we give it a try?
SAY THIS
사장님, 여기 반찬 좀 더 주세요.
Sajangnim, yeogi banchan jom deo juseyo.
“Excuse me, could we have some more banchan, please?”
여기요~ 여기 어묵볶음 좀 더 주세요.
Yeogiyo, yeogi eomuk bokkeum jom deo juseyo.
“Excuse me, could we have some more stir-fried fish cakes, please?”
Don’t know the name of the dish?
Point to the plate you enjoyed and say:
SAY THIS
사장님, 이거 좀 더 주세요.
Sajangnim, igeo jom deo juseyo.
“Excuse me, could I have some more of this, please?”
So, Sikgu… ready to enjoy all kinds of banchan?
I’ll be back to introduce more banchan, one by one!
More Korean Food Guides
- Banchan (You are here)
- All Korean Food Guides