Korean Dictionary
How to say "Myeolchi Bokkeum" in Korean
“Myeolchi Bokkeum” in Korean is 멸치볶음 (pronounced "myeolchi bokkeum").
멸치볶음
myeolchi bokkeum
Usage & Context
Myeolchi bokkeum is a popular Korean banchan made of small dried anchovies stir-fried with soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil. It is crunchy, flavorful, and a common lunchbox staple.
Example Sentence
멸치볶음은 도시락 반찬으로 자주 넣는다.
Myeolchi bokkeum is frequently packed as a lunchbox side dish.
How to use 멸치볶음 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Myeolchi Bokkeum” is 멸치볶음, romanized as myeolchi bokkeum.
Usage tip
Use this word with ordering phrases, taste descriptions, and polite requests when speaking in a restaurant.
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 멸치볶음.
Pronunciation Guide
The first part, 'myeolchi' (멸치), sounds like 'myul-chee'. 'Myul' is like 'mule' but with a softer 'y' sound, and 'chee' is like 'chee' in 'cheese'. The second part, 'bokkeum' (볶음), sounds like 'bock-koom'. 'Bock' is like 'bock beer', and 'koom' is like 'zoom' but with a 'k' sound.
More Example Sentences
Talking about a child's favorite food.
우리 아이가 멸치볶음을 정말 좋아해요.
My child really loves myeolchi bokkeum.
Describing a delicious and addictive dish.
매콤달콤한 멸치볶음은 밥도둑이에요.
Spicy and sweet myeolchi bokkeum is a 'rice thief' (makes you eat a lot of rice).
Praising a grandmother's cooking.
할머니가 직접 만드신 멸치볶음이 제일 맛있어요.
The myeolchi bokkeum my grandmother made herself is the most delicious.
Cultural Context
Myeolchi bokkeum is a quintessential Korean banchan (side dish), beloved for its crunchy texture and savory-sweet-spicy flavor. It's made by stir-frying small dried anchovies (멸치, myeolchi) with a glaze of soy sauce, garlic, sugar or corn syrup, and often gochujang or gochugaru for a kick. It's a common staple in lunchboxes (도시락, dosirak) and home-cooked meals, providing a good source of calcium.
Editorial note
We test food and dining words like 멸치볶음 inside ordering situations, because the natural Korean phrase often includes a polite request ending.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
멸치볶음 만들다
to make myeolchi bokkeum
밥반찬
side dish for rice (often referring to myeolchi bokkeum)
견과류 멸치볶음
myeolchi bokkeum with nuts
Related Expressions
멸치
myeolchi
anchovy
볶음
bokkeum
stir-fry (dish)
진미채볶음
jinmichae-bokkeum
shredded dried squid stir-fry
반찬
banchan
side dish
More Korean Food & Dining Words
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