Korean Dictionary
How to say "Side dishes" in Korean
“Side dishes” in Korean is 반찬 (pronounced "Banchan").
반찬
Banchan
Usage & Context
The variety of small side dishes served alongside rice at Korean meals. Banchan can include kimchi, seasoned vegetables, tofu, fish, and more. Restaurants typically offer free banchan refills. Having many banchan dishes is a sign of hospitality in Korean culture.
Example Sentence
한국 식당에 가면 반찬이 많이 나와요.
When you go to a Korean restaurant, many side dishes come out.
How to use 반찬 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Side dishes” is 반찬, romanized as Banchan.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 반찬.
Pronunciation Guide
The word "Banchan" sounds like "bahn-chahn." The "ban" is pronounced like "bahn" in "bahn mi," and "chan" rhymes with "lawn" but with a 'ch' sound at the beginning. Stress is fairly even on both syllables.
More Example Sentences
Praising a restaurant's service and food quantity.
이 식당은 반찬이 정말 푸짐하게 나와서 좋아요.
I like this restaurant because the banchan are really generous.
Talking about homemade food and personal preference.
엄마가 만들어준 김치 반찬이 제일 맛있어요.
The kimchi banchan my mom makes is the most delicious.
Asking for a refill at a Korean restaurant.
반찬 리필 좀 해주세요.
Could you please refill the side dishes?
Cultural Context
Banchan are central to the Korean dining experience, not just appetizers but integral parts of the meal. The variety and generosity of banchan often reflect a restaurant's quality or a host's hospitality. It's common for restaurants to offer free refills, a practice that delights many visitors. In K-dramas, you often see families sharing a meal with a table full of banchan, emphasizing communal eating.
Editorial note
We review entries like 반찬 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
반찬이 맛있어요.
The side dishes are delicious.
반찬 좀 더 주세요.
Please give me more side dishes.
반찬 종류가 많네요.
There are many kinds of side dishes.
Related Expressions
김치
Kimchi
Fermented spicy cabbage, a staple banchan.
메인 요리
Mein yori
Main dish (opposite of side dish).
밑반찬
Mitbanchan
Basic/everyday side dishes (often prepared in larger quantities).
밥상
Bapsang
Dining table (literally 'rice table'), often laden with banchan.
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