17 Delicious And Easy To Make Side Dishes Originating From Korea

17 Easy Korean Side Dishes will help you make Korean side dishes like Korean rice cakes and Korean rice cakes rice cakes that your kids will love.

These Korean side dishes are simple to make and easy to put together.

If you have never cooked any Korean food before, this could be a real eye opener into the different tastes and textures of food this culture has to offer.

Their low carb meals and healthy veg options are countless, offering everyone something they will like.

It is not all about the veg though, they have some great meat side dishes that are to die for and if cooked right, they will be perfect to add to any meal!

Korean side dishes are the perfect accompaniment to spicy and flavorful main dishes. These side dishes are easy-to-prepare, low carb, and full of flavor.

These recipes are some of the most popular dishes in the world and are not only easy, but also delicious.

1. Korean Cucumber Salad

Korean cucumber salad is refreshing, crunchy, and healthy. It is a great side dish paired with any grilled meat.

This recipe for Korean cucumber salad is very easy to prepare and has a fresh, light flavor.

It goes very well with beef or chicken and can also be served as a side dish (see also ‘20 Delicious Side Dishes To Serve With BBQ Chicken Wings‘) and be served for either lunch or dinner.

2. Spicy Korean Rice Cakes

When most of us think of a rice cake, we think about a pudding but these side dishes are a small burst of flavor and work extremely well as side dishes.

Spicy Korean Rice Cakes are crispy and delicious, easy to make and can be made ahead of time. Best eaten with Korean dipping sauce.

Try something different with a bit of well known street food in Korean and broaden your tastes!

3. Steamed Eggplant

Eggplant is one of the most underrated side dishes you could serve. The name tends to put people off at first but it is all about trying something new and grasping new mixes of foods.

Steamed eggplants are a great side dish for almost any meat, especially grilled meats and if you’re not a fan of eggplant, you may have a hard time getting past the texture.

But if you’re willing to get past that and give steamed eggplant a chance, you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

4. Korean Crispy Mushrooms

People love mushrooms because of their earthy taste which really gives a dish depth, even as a side.

Korean crispy mushrooms are a popular appetizer or side dish in Korea (for more Korean appetizers, read here). The crunchy texture is addictive! They are great on rice, in salads, and as a snack.

5. Korean Egg Rolls

Egg rolls are one of the most popular foods in Korea. They come in many different flavors and forms, but the basics are always the same.

You can learn to make authentic Korean egg rolls at home with this easy recipe because you can never beat something that is homemade!

This specific recipe is cheese, ham and carrots filling them with colors and a great mix of flavors.

6. Korean Potato Salad

Now that it’s hot outside, potato salad is the perfect summer side dish. It’s also one of the easiest to make.

This simple korean potato salad recipe is very healthy and low carb. Enjoy a satisfying and flavorful salad without the carbs!

The salad is a popular side dish in Korea, but there’s nothing too difficult about it but it is packed with flavor and a little bit of heat, making it a must-try!

7. Vegan Kimchi

What is kimchi?

Kimchi (see also our favorite foods that start with “K”) is a traditional Korean side dish made of fermented vegetables and chili peppers. It boasts a spicy, garlicky flavor that’s perfect with meats and tofu.

This recipe is for the fermented Korean cabbage dish known as kimchi.

There are many ways to prepare it, but this one is the simplest and most delicious and is also vegan, becoming far more popular across the world!

8. Stir Fried Zucchini

Sometimes you just want to make asides that take under 5 minutes which is why this is a great option.

It includes a lot of nutrients and veggies and it also has very sweet flavors running through it.

Stir-fry is not difficult to do and is a delicious way to cook vegetables. Therefore, if you’re looking for a quick, simple side dish that will go with most main meals, this is the one for you!

9. Korean Macaroni Salad

Korean macaroni salad is a quick and easy summer side dish (see also ‘26 Sumptuous Side Dishes For Salmon‘). The ingredients are simple and the salad can be made in minutes. This is not the most traditional Korean side dish but people love it because it is light and fresh.

It is also creamy and rich in flavor working really well with the macaroni pasta. A small side of this will definitely be enough!

We usually recognise macaroni with cheese but it is not the only item it can be paired with! This is the sort of side dish that is just melting in the mouth, filled with cream and soft pasta which is a dream.

10. Gochujang Cucumbers

Gochujang is a spicy Korean sauce that has a sour and salty flavor. You can use it to make a simple dish or a spicy condiment with a variety of dishes.

Gochujang is a hot, red paste made with fermented soybeans, sesame seeds and chili peppers.

It’s used in Korean cuisine as a condiment, but you can use it as a base for sauces and marinades, too! An asian gochujang inspired cucumber relish.

11. Korean Broccoli Salad

Broccoli is one of the most popular veggies across the world because they can either be nice and soft when cooked or have a great crunchy texture on their own.

Everyone loves a classic Korean broccoli salad. This is a recipe for a great, crunchy and flavorful broccoli salad that does not require any cooking and we all love at the same time not cooking!

This is plain and simple but just has great layers and seasoning to make the flavors pop.

12. Korean Coleslaw

Most people across the world are used to the regular coleslaw that doesn’t tend to have too much of a kick to it.

However, the Korean slaw has a bit of a spicy element combined! This is ideal as a side dish because it will go with many main dishes and especially any type of BBQ dish.

If you’re looking for a bit of spice then try this korean slaw out because it is very easy and quick to make and the end result is to die for.

13. Korean Soybean Sprouts

If you aren’t looking to spice up your meal and you would like something a little bit milder to pair with your food, the Korean soybean sprouts are a great choice.

They have a nice earthy, nutty flavor already and you can add whatever seasoning suits your taste buds.

They also have a very crunchy texture and with the added flavors of garlic and onions, this is just a great side dish to add to your meals.

14. Spicy Radish Salad

Spicy radish salad (Mu-geun-jorim) is a popular banchan food in Korea or also called a side dish in Korean cuisine.

A simple spicy Korean side dish of radish kimchi, dressed only with a mix of sesame oil, salt and sugar.

A condiment that doesn’t overpower a meal.this dish is quite sweet and peppery and has a very juice and texture. Some people love the mix of the juiciness with the crisp flesh!

15. Spring Onion Salad

This spring onion salad is a simple dish that goes well with any meal. The salad is loaded with vegetables and tastes great with a variety-of-meals theme.

Spring Onion Salad – a delicious, light and refreshing salad made with spring onions. The onions are crisp and add so much flavor to the salad as well as a bit of color. It is great as a side dish or as a snack.

16. Lettuce Salad

This authentic Korean lettuce salad is a great side dish to make for a barbecue. This simple, fresh Korean lettuce salad is a great way to use up leftover rice (see also our favorite rice side dishes).

Korean lettuce salad is a simple and healthy side dish. It can be served at any time and is good for lunch or dinner.

17. Egg Roll Omelets

Egg roll omelets are egg rolls that are rolled in the shape of an omelet. Egg roll omelets are a deliciously crispy, light snack or lunch, perfect for any season. Find the recipe to make this crunchy Asian food dish (see also ‘33 Easy Asian Recipes To Replace Takeout‘).

Conclusion

Overall, there are some amazing choices for side dishes above here and these are only a handful of the options that are available from the Korean cuisine.

They have countless small, but effective dishes that work really well with their mains and offer a small bite of happiness.

The dishes work really well because they are never too big and they are just the right side for side dishes to test and try each one.

Brits and Americans have always gone a bit wild with their sides and some would consider slightly overboard with the portion sizes which is usually too much for anyone!

Hopefully this guide has shed some light on the amazing options the Korean recipes have to offer.

There is a wide range of different types of food, all cooked differently for different outcomes and tastes.

There is aslo a range of spice for all of these meals where you are able to season further for more spice or keep it on the milder side to suit your tastes.

Some meals are meant to have a bit of a punch because that is where the flavor is coming from but that should be labeled in the description!

If you ever have the time, it is a great idea to make four or five of these side dishes and have them as platters so you are able to try more than one and decide which kind of tastes suit you better than others.

These different types of food might actually surprise you because you might not like the main ingredient but the way it is cooked and seasoned might actually change your mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Little Korean Side Dishes Called?

Banchan

The Korean small plates called banchan (which literally translates to “side dishes,”) are served ahead of the main course, but they’re not appetizers.

They represent a category unto themselves: snacks-within-a-meal that function as complements, contrasts, and condiments all at once. And they’re totally necessary.

Is Korean Food Healthy?

Is Korean food healthy? Considering the ingredients and cooking methods of the traditional Korean diet, it’s generally considered healthy.

Because they’re often high in vegetables and cooked without much oil, Korean meals are often lower in calories than traditional American meals (2, 3 ).

Is Kimchi An Appetizer?

Tofu Kimchi (Dubu Kimchi, 두부김치)

Tofu Kimchi is a popular appetizer and also a drink snack in Korea. But it goes very well as a side dish to your main meals too!

Spicy flavor from kimchi, pork, and nutty aromas from sesame oil are simply marvelous!