Korean Dictionary
How to say "Namul" in Korean
“Namul” in Korean is 나물 (pronounced "namul").
나물
namul
Usage & Context
Namul refers to a category of Korean seasoned vegetable dishes. They are made by blanching or sauteing vegetables and dressing them with soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic.
Example Sentence
비빔밥에는 다양한 나물이 올라간다.
Various namul are placed on top of bibimbap.
How to use 나물 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Namul” is 나물, romanized as namul.
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 나물.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 'na' (나), sounds like 'nah' in 'nap' or 'nanny'. The second syllable, 'mul' (물), sounds like 'mool' in 'pool' or 'cool'. The 'l' sound is soft, often rolling slightly.
More Example Sentences
Praising homemade food.
엄마가 만든 나물은 언제나 최고예요.
The namul my mom makes is always the best.
Talking about healthy eating habits.
건강을 위해 나물을 자주 먹으려고 노력해요.
I try to eat namul often for my health.
Listing ingredients in bibimbap.
이 비빔밥에는 시금치나물, 콩나물, 도라지나물이 들어있어요.
This bibimbap has spinach namul, bean sprout namul, and bellflower root namul.
Cultural Context
Namul refers to a broad category of Korean seasoned vegetable dishes, typically served as banchan (side dishes). They are prepared by blanching, steaming, or sautéing various vegetables, then seasoning them with ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and sometimes gochujang. Namul is a staple in Korean meals, celebrated for its healthy and fresh qualities, and is a key component of bibimbap.
Editorial note
We test food and dining words like 나물 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
나물 무치다
to season namul
나물 반찬
namul side dish
산나물
wild mountain vegetables (often prepared as namul)
Related Expressions
반찬
banchan
side dish
시금치나물
sigeumchi-namul
spinach namul
콩나물
kongnamul
bean sprouts (often prepared as namul)
비빔밥
bibimbap
mixed rice with vegetables
More Korean Food & Dining Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Namul and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
