At the Korean Table, the Side Dishes Are the Stars

Traditional banchan, small plates from spicy to sweet, turn every meal into an exciting feast

From rich braised meats to light and healthy salads, banchan bring excitement, variety, and balance to the table. Norikko/Shutterstock

When I think about what makes Korean food so incredibly special, the first thing that springs to mind is banchan. 

Banchan are the myriad shared side dishes that come gratis with every traditional Korean meal, whether a grand banquet dinner a humble home-cooked affair.