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What to Eat with Kimchi: 20+ Sides

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

February 25, 2025

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5 from 2 votes

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Wondering what to serve with kimchi? There are so many great options! From fried rice, to Korean tacos, and more! Here are the BEST kimchi side dishes.

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Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish of fermented vegetables, the most common of which are napa cabbage and daikon radish.

In addition to being served as banchan, Korean side dishes presented as part of a meal, it can also be used in a variety of cooked dishes like kimchi fried rice or kimchi quesadillas.

I love topping these Korean (Bulgogi) Beef Tacos with it – they’re amazingly delicious!

Overhead shot of kimchee in jar with chopsticks.

But there’s so much more! Keep reading to discover 21+ dishes that go great with kimchi!

PS – Don’t forget about this simple kimchee recipe too! 🥢🥢🥢

What Goes with Kimchi?

Korean tacos arranged on bright pink plate next to small bowls of kimchi and aioli.
Korean Beef Tacos
The flavors in these Korean Tacos with Bulgogi Beef are out of this world! Topped with homemade kimchi, avocado, and a creamy chili garlic aioli, these tacos are a make-ahead dream that pack in bold and spicy flavors.
Korean Tacos with Bulgogi Beef
Overhead shot of bacon fried rice in black bowl on teal counter.
Easy Bacon Fried Rice
This Bacon Fried Rice comes together easily with ingredients you probably already have on hand, and in only 15 minutes! Skip the takeout and make your own (tastier) version at home.
Bacon Fried Rice
3 crispy rice sushi bites on plate topped with creamy sauce and spicy peppers.
Crispy Rice Sushi Bites
Crispy Rice Sushi Bites feature creamy spicy salmon (or tuna). Crispy, crunchy and so flavorful! Cook the crispy rice in the air fryer or on the stove, and top with all your favorite toppings. The perfect appetizer for any occasion! 
Crispy Rice Sushi Bites
Overhead shot of bowl of yaki udon with black chopsticks.
Yaki Udon
Make this Japanese-inspired yaki udon recipe for easy weeknight dinners! Bouncy udon noodles, a variety of stir fried vegetables, and your favorite ground meat are tossed in a homemade stir fry sauce to give you a hassle-free and satisfying meal in only 20 minutes.
Yaki Udon
Overhead shot of spicy edamame in serving bowl.
Spicy Edamame
This quick and easy Spicy Edamame Recipe tosses cooked edamame in a bold garlic chili sauce to give you a protein-packed snack, appetizer, or side dish.
Spicy Edamame
Two hands holding bowl of sesame noodles.
Thai Peanut Noodles with Chicken
These 20-Minute Thai Peanut Noodles with Chicken feature a creamy peanut sauce and crunchy red cabbage. The perfect quick and easy weeknight dinner.
Sesame Peanut Noodles
Piece of salmon on top of rice drizzled with wasaba and sriracha mayo.
Baked Salmon Sushi Bowl
These Spicy Salmon Sushi Bowls feature broiled salmon (no fear of raw fish!), wasabi sauce, and all of the fresh toppings you want. Served over rice, these deconstructed sushi bowls are perfect for both lunch and dinner and can be made in under 30-minutes!
Spicy Salmon Sushi Bowls
Overhead shot of baked Shake n Bake pork chops on baking sheet.
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
These homemade Shake and Bake pork chops are just like the classic dish you used to have as a kid. Pork chops are coated in a tasty breadcrumb mixture and baked until golden brown and delicious.
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Hands holding shrimp sushi bowl.
Shrimp Sushi Bowls
Easy homemade Shrimp Sushi Bowls feature spicy marinated shrimp, wasabi sauce, and all of the fresh toppings you want. Served together over brown rice, these deconstructed sushi bowls are perfect for both lunch and dinner!
Shrimp Sushi Bowls
Spicy cumin lamb wide noodles in brown bowl with chopsticks.
Cumin Lamb Noodles
These boldly flavored Cumin Lamb Noodles are just as delicious as the restaurant version but use much more accessible ingredients. Made with tender lamb shoulder and toasted spices, you’re going to want to make this for more than just special occasions!
Cumin Lamb Noodles
Pieces of pork belly in air fryer basket.
Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites
Air Fryer Pork Belly is absolutely irresistible! Seasoned with an easy dry rub, these pork belly bites are air fried until they’re crispy, tender + juicy.
Air Fryer Pork Belly
Hamachi crudo arranged on grey plate topped with lemon slices and serrano peppers.
Hamachi Crudo Recipe
Hamachi is a type of flavorful yellowtail fish that is often served raw as nigiri and sashimi-style sushi. Use it to make this simple Hamachi Crudo appetizer.
Hamachi Crudo
Overhead shot of cauliflower fried rice in speckled bowl with chopsticks.
Bacon Cauliflower Fried Rice
Cauliflower Fried Rice with Bacon comes together easily in only 15 minutes! Skip the takeout and make your own (tastier) low-carb, keto fried rice at home.
Cauliflower Fried Rice
Wings arranged on grey plate scattered with cucumbers.
Air Fryer Chinese Chicken Wings
Crispy and juicy chicken wings, topped with a sweet yet spicy combination of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar and Sambal oelek chili paste.
Vietnamese Chicken Wings
CLOSEUP OF VEGETARIAN SUSHI ROLLS ON GREY PLATE.
Vegetarian Sushi
Vegetarian Sushi Rolls are loaded with soft, luscious, and spicy “tuna” made from tomatoes! They taste just like the classic sushi roll but are loaded with plant-based goodness.
Vegetarian Sushi Rolls
Overhead shot of tan tan noodles in bowl with black chopsticks.
Tan Tan Ramen
Tantanmen Ramen (aka Tan Tan Noodles or Dan Dan Noodles) combines delicious ramen noodles and ground pork with a spicy, creamy broth that's seasoned with chili oil, peanut butter and sesame paste.
Tantanmen Ramen
Overhead shot of bowl of udon soup with soup spoon.
Udon Noodle Soup
Learn how to make Udon Noodle Soup (Kake Udon) at home. It’s a traditional Japanese appetizer made with tender udon noodles and a rich, dashi-based broth. This classic soup is warm, cozy, and the perfect umami-forward canvas for flavorful toppings.
Udon Noodle Soup
Cooked potstickers in air fryer basket.
Air Fryer Potstickers
This Air Fryer Potstickers recipe teaches you how to easily cook store-bought frozen dumplings in the air fryer without any excess oil.
Air Fryer Potstickers
Two smoked beef short ribs in brown bowl on top of mashed potatoes.
Smoked Beef Short Ribs
Learn how to make Smoked Beef Short Ribs! Smoking them low and slow with a tangy spritz and red wine braising liquid results in delicate and perfectly seasoned meat every time.
Smoked Beef Short Ribs
Overhead close up of three smoked pork belly slices with grill marks.
Smoked Pork Belly Strips
Smoked Pork Belly Strips are the only thing better than bacon! Seasoned with an easy dry rub, the pork is cooked low and slow until it’s tender, juicy, and melts in your mouth. It’s a smoky and deeply flavored cut of meat that must make an appearance at your next barbecue.
Smoked Pork Belly Strips

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these kimchi pairings can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead. 

More Side Dish Recipes

  • Sides for Sushi
  • Asian Side Dishes
  • Sides for BBQ
  • Sides for Salmon
  • Sides for Steak
  • Sides for Ribs
  • Sides for Chicken

Did you try any of these kimchi side dishes?

If you loved this roundup of what to eat kimchi with, I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on  Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook.

PS – Don’t forget about this simple kimchee recipe too! 🥢🥢🥢

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Full Recipe

What to Eat with Kimchi: 20+ Sides

Wondering what to serve with kimchi? There are so many great options! Try it on these Korean Tacos with Bulgogi Beef! Topped with homemade kimchi, avocado, and a creamy chili garlic aioli, these tacos are a make-ahead dream that pack in bold and spicy flavors.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin
Serves 4 servings
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 20 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • ¾ – 1 cup kimchi (roughly chopped (homemade or store-bought))
  • 1 avocado (thinly sliced)
  • 3 green onions (chopped)
  • Flour tortillas
  • Sesame seeds (to garnish)

Korean Beef (Bulgogi)

  • 1½ pounds ribeye steak
  • 1 ripe bosc pear
  • ½ medium red onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 Tablespoon Fresh ginger (grated on microplane or finely minced, the same size as about 1-2 garlic cloves)
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1½ Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon mirin
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 Tablespoon canola oil
  • 3 green onions (chopped)

Chili Garlic Aioli

  • ⅓ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 lime (juiced)
  • 1 Tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 cloves garlic (grated with microplane, or very finely minced)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Bulgogi (Korean Beef)

  • Place steak in freezer for about 15 minutes, which will firm it up a bit, allowing you to cut thin slices. Trim excess fat from steak and very thinly slice.
  • Using the finest side of a grater, grate the pear and onion. Combine with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin, and sesame oil (optional) in a medium mixing bowl. Add thinly sliced steak, cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator, allowing to marinate for at least 2 hours, and up to 24 hours.
  • Remove steak from refrigerator approximately 20-30 minutes before ready to cook. Remove steak from marinade and combine with scallions in a bowl. Heat canola oil in large skillet or grill pan over high heat. Add steak and scallions to pan in a single layer and cook, stirring, until cooked through, about 2-3 minutes. It’s important to cook in a single layer to avoid steaming the meat. Cook in batches if necessary.

Chili Garlic Aioli

  • Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Refrigerate until ready to use. Can be made up to 3 days ahead of time.

Assembly

  • Place bulgogi in tortilla and top with chopped kimchi, sliced avocado, green onions, aioli and sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 649kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 50g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 913mg | Potassium: 809mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 900IU | Vitamin C: 7.7mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 4.1mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

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