5 Quick and Easy Korean Side Dishes - Banchan

5 Quick and Easy Korean Side Dishes - Banchan

A traditional Korean meal can be a bit daunting to make at home if you wish to serve a number of Banchan (Side Dishes). I'll show you 5 side dishes that can be made quickly to round out a Korean meal and you can find most, if not all, of the ingredients in your local grocery store.

The only ingredient that may not be available in your local grocery is the Korean Chili Powder (Gochagaru). See amazon link below:

Recipes: Banchan (Korean Side Dishes)

Seasoned Bean Sprouts

Ingredients:
1 pound bean sprouts, cleaned
1 green onion (scallions), finely chopped
1 garlic, minced
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 ½ teaspoon salt
Pinch of black pepper

Instructions:
Bring pot of water to boil. Place bean sprouts in pot and blanch 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer into colander, rinse under cold water, drain and
squeeze out excess water.
Place bean sprouts in medium bowl. Add green onions, garlic, sesame seeds, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well until well incorporated. Set
aside.
The bean sprouts can be served warm, chilled, or at room temperature.

Seasoned Spinach

Ingredients:
2 bunches of spinach (about 8 ounces), rinsed and ends trimmed
1 green onion (scallions), finely chopped
1-2 garlic, minced
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon salt
Pinch of black pepper

Instructions:
Bring pot of water to boil. Place spinach in pot and blanch for about 2 seconds. Transfer into colander, rinse under cold water, drain and
squeeze out excess water.
Place spinach in medium bowl. Add green onions, garlic, sesame seeds, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well until well incorporated. Set aside.
The spinach can be served warm, chilled, or at room temperature.

Braised Tofu

Ingredients:
I package firm tofu
¼ cup soy sauce
2 green onions (scallions), finely chopped
2 garlic, minced
1 tablespoon sesame seed
1 tablespoon sesame oil
½ tablespoon Korean chili powder
1 teaspoon sugar

Instructions:
Remove tofu from package and pat dry as much as you can to remove the excess water.
In a mixing bowl, combine the braising liquid: soy sauce, green onions, garlic, sesame seeds, sesame oil, Korean chili powder, and sugar. Mix
well. Set aside.
Cut the tofu in half and then into squares, about ½ inch thick.
Very lightly season the tofu with salt.
Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Place single layer of tofu in the pan. Cook until tofu is slightly brown on both sides,
about 4 to 5 minutes.
Reduce the heat and pour braising liquid over the tofu. Spread evenly-as much as you can. Cover and let cook for about 3 minutes. Transfer to
plate and serve warm.

Simple Cucumber Salad

Ingredients:
3 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced
2 green onions, thinly chopped
2 garlic, minced
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 teaspoon soy sauce
2 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1-2 teaspoon Korean chili powder

Instructions:
Place sliced cucumbers in large mixing bowl. Add green onions, garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce, white vinegar, sugar,
and Korean chili powder. Mix well. Set aside. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Egg roll

Ingredients:
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 salt
1 bunch (about 6) green onions, thinly chopped
Vegetable oil

Instructions:
Mix beaten eggs with salt and green onions in mixing bowl.
Heat about 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in large pan on low. Pour egg and green onion mixture in pan. Cook on low and roll into log as the egg
continues to cook. Roll completely and let fully cook.
Remove egg roll onto cutting board. Let cool. Cut into ½ inch pieces. Place on serving plate. Serve warm or at room temperature.

UPDATE: We just uploaded a Korean Sides Dishes Part Two:

Also if you are looking for Korean Main Dishes, check out our Playlist

[stefietan]

just a suggestion for the cucumbers... start with the sugar first, leave aside for awhile and then drain the liquid before adding the other ingredients. Makes it crunchier!

[jemmashome]

Banchan is one of the reasons I fell in love with Korean food! Thanks for sharing, much love from Singapore 💕

[angelataylor]

Made the bean sprouts yesterday and had them tonight. Oh my, yum, Yum, YUM! I could eat those every day!

[mr.hotdogseniorrescue]

Hi Jane! Just came across your video. I grew up here in the U.S. with my adopted family so l NEVER learned how to cook Korean food. Anyway, it’s been great watching these kind of videos so l can still learn on my own. Can’t wait till l try them. Jane you’re a Korean sister from another mother. THANKS!

[mr.hotdogseniorrescue]

Hi Jane, l made all the side dishes EXCEPT the mung beans because l couldn’t find fresh ones at the local grocery store. Anyway, they turned out pretty delicious. I shared your YouTube channel with other Korean adoptee who have been adopted to Western Countries & never were taught how to cook Korean food. Anyway, just want to say THANKS for the video & l had fun making these side dishes. I’ll probably learn more side dishes so l can share with other adoptees again who are learning to cook Korean food. 💕🎉❤️💕🥳

[rejn]

Thank you for using your hands. I think people are afraid to touch their food and it’s a real loss it’s a disconnection from nature. I really appreciate it! Love the recipes to :-)

[markw]

Thanks for the recipes. I made the cucumber salad and really liked it. It will be one of my frequent staples. Easy, cheap and tasty.

[jeannecastellano]

Looks SOOOO GOOD! I used to go to a Korean restaurant in college. They had a wonderful side dish which was dried cod fish that was done with sugar and soy sauce. The fish was shredded and it was almost glass-like in transparency. Do you have the recipe?

[dealstogo]

No wonder Koreans are so healthy! Thank you. I subscribed to enjoy more of your videos.

[mr.hotdogseniorrescue]

Hi Jane! It’s been a minute since l dropped a comment. I have made the tofu dish multiple times for my family & they continue to ask me to make it. It’s 1 of the most simple yet delicious & healthy dishes so l don’t mind at all. THANKS AGAIN!!!

[jeemoon]

These banchans are what I crave in the morning, with maybe some soup on the side.

[oliviasfermi]

I had the tofu, spinach and bean sprouts tonight for dinner. They were yummy😊

[Jett]

Just made the braised tofu and wow!! Loved it so much, the braising sauce was amazing, I’ll definitely have to try it on other proteins((:

[ga...B]

made it before it is easy to cook...more vegetables more healthy life

[tanyaware]

Nice video. Meal prep is quick and simple. It looks great. I am going to try it out. Thanks for the video.

[azalor]

6:28 so cute, i giggled ❤.

Thanks for the recipes ❤

[cynrok]

All looks very delicious but I can't be making 5 side dishes for every meal! Korean women are just on another level in the kitchen

[dailypearls]

Looks amazing and I plan to try this.❤❤

[npvydso]

Very good demonstration and wonderful recipes for Korean side dishes..they all look so yummy. I will have to make them soon.🥰

[dearlittlefoxxx]

thank you for this awesome video! love the cucumber seasoning