Korean Side Dishes Paired with Grilled Foods (구이 반찬)

Now that we covered some fresh vegetables that you can use to make Korean BBQ wraps let’s move on to some popular kinds of side dishes and soups that are often paired with Korean BBQ.

“구이 반찬”  are the side dishes that go along with grilled foods. “구이” means grilled and “반찬” means side dish.

Here are some side dishes and why they work!

• Korean Green Onion Salad (파절이/파무침): Green onion salad is a fresh, spicy, vinegary side dish. Fresh side dishes help to break up the heaviness of any grilled dishes while also adding different textures, mouthfeels, and a fresh palette cleansing flavor.
• Kimchi (김치): Kimchi, like with any meal, is always present on the table. You can add different types of Kimchi to the table. A popular method is to eat the kimchi raw, but you can also grill the Kimchi along with the other ingredients to enhance the umami and savory flavor of the Kimchi.
• Gyeran-jjim (계란찜): Steamed eggs are made by adding whisked eggs with seasoned broth into a ttukbaegi. The texture is fluffy and delicate. They are super versatile, and you can season them how you prefer. You can add different broths, red pepper flakes, green onion, garlic, and soybean paste. Serve immediately after making because it will deflate quickly.
• Jangajji (장아찌): Soy pickled ingredients like onions are made by adding a mixture of water, soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar to fresh raw onions, letting them soak, and then serving. It has a fresh, unique flavor and a juicy texture.
• Pickled Radish (무생채): Pickled radish can be made plain or spicy. It has a sweet vinegar flavor. This is one of my favorite side dishes for grilled dishes because it is a palette cleanser, and that vinegar flavor cuts through any grease from the meats. It tastes so fresh!
• Pickled Sliced Radish (무쌈): “무쌈” is thinly sliced radish that is pickled and can be used to wrap ingredients. It is a palette cleanser and adds a fresh, crisp flavor.
• Cabbage salad (양배추 샐러드): This side dish is made from thinly sliced cabbage that is tossed with a mayo or sesame seed-based dressing. The creamy flavor adds a unique savory flavor and texture.
• Seasoned bean sprouts (콩나물무침): Seasoned bean sprouts can be served spicy or soy-based. The dish is juicy and crisp in texture. The freshness adds a different flavor profile to the BBQ table and pairs well with the heavier grilled meats.
• Soups: There are many kinds of soups that can be served with Korean BBQ, like soft tofu soup (순두부찌개), Kimchi soup (김치찌개), and more. Soybean paste soup (된장국) is a super common one and has a savory flavor.
• Soybean soup (콩나물국): A simple bean sprout soup with a very mild and almost bland flavor can be served with Korean BBQ. Bean sprouts are said to help with hangovers but also help to give a neutral flavor that can mellow any spicy foods.
• Jumeok-bap (주먹밥): Various types of seasoned rice balls can be served on the table. These rice balls are great to pair with spicy foods and also add a different carb to the table.