The Art (and Comedy) of Sharing Banchan in Korea

Picture by olivia_1111_

More Than Just Side Dishes

Banchan (반찬) are the small side dishes that accompany rice in every Korean meal. They range from kimchi and seasoned vegetables to japchae (glass noodles), tiny grilled fish, or even soy-marinated crab. In traditional Korean dining, rice is the center, and banchan completes the meal—sometimes a handful, sometimes twenty or more.

But for first-time visitors, the question always comes up: how do you share them properly? Who gets the fish tail? Who dips first into the ssamjang? And what happens when five people eye the same lone piece of tofu?

Cultural Clashes at the Table

Picture by sumin6340

Dining etiquette is never universal. In France, multi-course meals unfold slowly with careful service and conversation. In America, holidays like Thanksgiving involve serving each dish one by one, passing plates until everyone has a full meal. Now imagine doing that with twenty banchan dishes and sizzling barbecue in the middle of the table—it would take forever.

Korean dining is refreshingly different. It's more practical, almost a free-for-all with loose etiquette. Dishes arrive hot and often stay hot thanks to earthenware bowls. Meat cooks right in front of you. Soups bubble on the table. And while foreigners sometimes hesitate to eat without the "proper cues," Koreans dive right in.

Comedic Moments with Banchan

I've had plenty of funny experiences introducing foreign guests to banchan. One time, everyone carefully split up each dish as if rationing it—one bean sprout here, one spinach leaf there—until the table looked like a science experiment. Another time, all eyes were on me as I clumsily disassembled a massive 5kg king crab. Sharing in Korea is messy, communal, and, yes, hilarious at times.

What's Refillable—and What's Not

Picture by sumin6340

Not all banchan are created equal. Spinach namul, bean sprouts, or kimchi? Refillable. Expensive items like soy-marinated crab or grilled fish? Don't expect seconds. There's an unspoken social contract: the size and type of dish signals whether you can ask for more. If one kimchi runs out, you might get a different variety—like onion or turnip kimchi—as a substitute.

Refillable Banchan:

• Kimchi (all varieties)
• Seasoned vegetables (namul)
• Bean sprouts
• Pickled radish

Non-refillable Banchan:

• Soy-marinated crab
• Grilled fish
• Meat-based dishes
• Premium seafood

The Japchae Question

Picture by ichi._gohang

Is japchae (잡채) a banchan or a main dish? In Korea, it's almost always a banchan—served in small portions alongside rice and other sides. But many guests expect it as a main course because that's how it's presented in Korean restaurants abroad. This disconnect often leaves foreigners both surprised and confused.

"In Korea, japchae is almost always a banchan—served in small portions alongside rice and other sides. But many guests expect it as a main course because that's how it's presented in Korean restaurants abroad."

A King's Table

The origins of banchan go back centuries. Rice was always the main meal, with banchan as accompaniments. For kings, the royal table included side dishes representing different regions of Korea, symbolizing both abundance and the state of the nation. Banchan wasn't just food—it was a cultural and political statement.

Historical Highlights:

• Centuries-old tradition rooted in Korean royal cuisine
• Regional banchan represented different parts of Korea
• Symbolic of abundance and national unity
• Cultural and political significance beyond just food

Paying for Banchan Abroad

Some foreigners are shocked when they're charged for kimchi or banchan refills outside Korea. My take? It's okay. Different cultures value things differently, and restaurants need to stay in business. If paying for banchan means enjoying authentic Korean food overseas, it's a small price for a big part of the dining experience.

Final Thoughts

Banchan is more than just side dishes—it's the heart of Korean communal dining. It can be messy, funny, and even confusing, but that's part of the joy. From free refills of kimchi to carefully splitting up a grilled mackerel, it's about sharing the table, not just the food.

Next time you sit down to a Korean meal, don't overthink the etiquette. Dive in, share freely, and embrace the beautiful chaos that is banchan culture. After all, the best meals are the ones where everyone's laughing, reaching across the table, and discovering new flavors together.

Contact Form

Interested in exploring Seoul's food culture? Contact us for more information!