What to Serve with Korean BBQ: 25+ Sides

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In this round-up of 25+ side dishes for Korean BBQ I’ve selected a variety of traditional and innovative side dishes that perfectly balance the bold, smoky flavors of Korean BBQ. From tangy kimchi and pickled radishes and irresistible sauces to crispy scallion pancakes and crunchy daikon salad, discover delicious pairings that will take your Korean BBQ meal to the next level!

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What are Banchan?

Banchan are an array of small, flavorful side dishes served with Korean meals, designed to complement the main course. These dishes can include items like kimchi, seasoned vegetables, and savory pancakes.

What are traditional sides for Korean BBQ?

Traditional Korean BBQ side dishes include banchan such as kimchi, seasoned vegetables, and savory pancakes like pajeon.

What drinks pair well with Korean BBQ?

Beverages that pair well with Korean BBQ include soju, a popular Korean rice liquor; makgeolli, a traditional rice wine; and Korean beer, such as Hite or Cass. For a non-alcoholic option, barley tea (boricha) is delicious!

Not sure where to start? I highly recommend this easy 10 minute Korean Bean Sprout Salad or Kimchi Fried Rice.

Side Dishes for Korean BBQ

Overhead shot of kimchee in jar with chopsticks.

This easy Kimchi recipe will teach you to make authentic Kimchi (Kimchee) at home. It’s easy to do with these simple steps!

Homemade Kimchi

This daikon radish recipe is delicious! An easy salad dressed in a garlic vinaigrette. It’s crispy, healthy and made with simple ingredients.

Daikon Radish Salad

Kecap Manis (Sweet Soy Sauce) is a popular Indonesian condiment you can use as a glaze, dressing, marinade, dipping sauce, and more. So sweet and aromatic, this 3-ingredient sauce is easy to make and a must-have in your fridge!

Sweet Soy Sauce

This copycat Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad is bursting with flavor. Beautifully marinated cucumbers drizzled in chili oil is an outstanding vegetarian appetizer you can enjoy for any special occasion!

Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad

5 minute Gochujang Sauce is the perfect balance of spicy, savory, and sweet! Use as a dipping sauce, for bibimbap, or add to mayo for a kick!

Recipe: Darn Good Veggies

Addicting Gochujang Sauce

Bulgogi Sauce is sweet and savory with hints of pear, ginger, and garlic. It’s a staple ingredient in Korean BBQ Beef. This easy recipe is made from scratch and adds great flavors to your grilled beef. You can also use it in the marinade, dipping sauce, burgers, stir-fry chicken, or pork served with rice or noodles.

Recipe: Izzy Cooking

Bulgogi Sauce

This 15-minute Broccoli Stir Fry recipe tosses stir fried broccoli florets, garlic, and ginger in a flavorful 4-ingredient stir fry sauce, giving you a delicious vegetarian dinner to whip up any night of the week!

Broccoli Stir Fry

Interested in Korean cooking? If so, then try making this miyeok namul recipe! In English, this is known as Korean seaweed salad!

Recipe: Carving a Journey

Korean Seaweed Salad

Gamja jorim is delicious as a side dish or in a Korean banchan spread. The easy Korean braised potato recipe is comprehensive and flexible.

Recipe: Non Guilty Pleasures

Korean Braised Potatoes

A sweet and savory Korean stir-fried sweet potato glass noodles with colorful vegetables and well-seasoned beef, also known as Japchae.

Recipe: Posh Journal

Korean Japchae

Gyeran mari is a Korean egg side dish that is rolled into an omelette with vegetables and sometimes meat, seaweed, or cheese.

Recipe: Stella n Spice

Korean Rolled Omelette

Hobak jeon is a Korean side dish made with egg-battered Korean zucchini (ae hobak). It’s sweeter than regular zucchini and tastes better too!

Recipe: Stella n Spice

Pan Fried Korean Zucchini

This Korean pickled radish is crunchy, tangy, and a little sweet. It can be served as a side dish with anything, but it’s best with Korean Fried Chicken!

Recipe: Stella n Spice

Korean Pickled Radish

Gyeranjjim is a Korean savory egg custard dish. It’s a popular side dish that goes very well with any Korean meal. Try it with this quick and easy recipe!

Recipe: Korean Bapsang

Korean Steamed Eggs

Korean Bean Sprout Salad (Sukju Namul). Crunchy bean sprouts seasoned in a simple and flavourful sesame garlic soy sauce. Ready in 10 minutes!

Recipe: Christie at Home

Korean Bean Sprout Salad

Mature spinach leaves gently wilted in chicken broth, seasoned with sautéed garlic. This 5-ingredient side dish sounds humble but is delicious. So simple too!

Recipe: Garlic All Day

Spinach with Chicken Broth and Garlic

Kimchi fried rice is a weeknight staple for us, and simple is best. Spicy, tangy, and a bit sweet, it’s the complete package. Ready in under half an hour.

Recipe: Earth to Veg

Kimchi Fried Rice

Korean-Style BBQ Baked Beans offer a delicious Asian twist to one of America’s classic comfort foods. Boasting sweet and savory flavors, this baked beans recipe is the perfect vegan side dish or appetizer to any meal that will please friends and family alike!

Recipe: Moon and Spoon and Yum

Korean-Style BBQ Baked Beans

Kabocha squash is perfect for making Korean pumpkin porridge w/ tang yuan (hobakjuk) that is so satisfying to cook and eat on cold days.

Recipe: The Sound of Cooking

Korean Pumpkin Porridge

Tteokbokki is a popular Korean street food made with chewy cylinder-shaped rice cakes simmered in an addictively sweet, spicy, or savory sauce. Super easy to make at home, this tteokbokki recipe is absolutely delicious!

Recipe: The Forked Spoon

Tteokbokki (Spicy Korean Rice Cakes)

This Korean spicy radish salad (musaengchae) is an easy side dish. It can be a quick substitute for kimchi and is great in bibimbap.

Recipe: Korean Bapsang

Spicy Radish Salad

Nokdujeon (or nokdu bindaetteok), is a type of savory Korean pancake made with ground mung beans. The result is crispy golden brown pancakes that are savory and nutty with some crunch from the vegetables.

Recipe: Korean Bapsang

Mung Bean Pancakes

Sweet, tangy and crunchy, make your very own small batch Korean Pickled Garlic with no second ferment required. Maneul Jangajji is a popular banchan.

Recipe: Wander Cooks

Korean Pickled Garlic

Doenjang Jjigae is one of the most classic comfort foods in Korean cuisine that is quick and easy to make, yet packed with bold flavors. This hearty and delicious soybean paste soup will instantly warm you up on a cold day, and tastes just like the ones served in K-BBQ restaurants!

Recipe: Cookerru

Soybean Paste Stew

An authentic Pajeon recipe, the delicious Korean scallion pancakes that make the perfect snack, appetizer, or side dish!

Recipe: The Daring Gourmet

Korean Scallion Pancakes

Korean braised tofu is quick to make yet loaded with irresistible flavors! This delicious one-pan meal features fried tofu cooked in a spicy braising sauce to be served over a bowl of steamed rice or noodles. Enjoy this flavorful dish in the comfort of your home using this simple recipe.

Recipe: Cookerru

Easy Korean Braised Tofu

More Asian Cuisine

Did you Make Any of These Side Dishes for Korean BBQ?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of recipes that pair well with Korean BBQ. 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.

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