What does 반찬 (banchan) mean?
- 반찬banchan
Side dishes
Fine in most situations
반찬 (banchan) means the side dishes served with rice in a Korean meal. Kimchi, seasoned vegetables, small fish and rolled omelet are all 반찬.
Where it comes from
It is the everyday word for any dish eaten alongside rice, from a single plate of kimchi at home to a dozen small bowls at a restaurant.
How to use 반찬
At Korean restaurants, banchan are usually brought out free with the main dish, and refills are often free too. It is normal to ask politely for more.
Banchan are placed in the middle of the table and shared. Everyone takes small bites from the common plates instead of moving food onto their own.
At home, families keep 밑반찬, long-lasting side dishes stored in the fridge, so a meal can be put together quickly with rice and soup.
Examples
Tap a word to see what it means and save it to your flashcards.
Asking for a refill at a restaurant
Visiting your parents
Seeing the table filled with plates
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 밑반찬 | Staple side dishes | Long-lasting dishes kept in the fridge at home. |
| 반찬 좀 더 주세요 | More side dishes, please | Polite request at a restaurant. |
| 반찬가게 | Side dish shop | A shop that sells ready-made banchan. |
Questions learners ask
Are banchan free in Korea?
At most Korean restaurants, yes. Side dishes come free with your meal, and refills are usually free too.
Can you ask for more banchan?
Yes. Say 반찬 좀 더 주세요. Some restaurants have a self-serve banchan bar instead.
Is kimchi a banchan?
Yes. Kimchi is the most common banchan of all.