If you're visiting a Korean restaurant for the first time, you might be surprised when several small dishes suddenly appear on your table.
Kimchi, seasoned vegetables, fish cakes, bean sprouts and other small dishes may arrive even though you didn't order them.
You might wonder:
“Did I order these?”
“Do I have to pay for them?”
“Can I ask for more?”
These small side dishes are called banchan (반찬), and they are an important part of Korean dining culture.
So, are banchan really free? And can you get refills?
Here's what you should know before eating at a Korean restaurant.
1. Are Side Dishes Free at Korean Restaurants?
At many Korean restaurants, basic side dishes are served automatically with your meal without being ordered separately.
For example, if you order a stew, bulgogi or another main dish, you may receive kimchi, seasoned vegetables or other small side dishes along with it.
Customers usually don't see a separate charge for each basic side dish, which is why people often describe banchan as “free side dishes.”
A better way to think about it, however, is that basic banchan are part of the overall dining experience and included with the meal.
Keep in mind that this doesn't mean every side dish at every Korean restaurant is always free.
The type of banchan and the restaurant's policy can vary.
2. Why Are There So Many Side Dishes?
A typical Korean meal often centers around rice, soup or stew, and several small side dishes.
Each banchan adds a different flavor or texture to the meal.
Kimchi can add a spicy and tangy flavor, seasoned vegetables are often lighter and savory, while egg or fish cake dishes can add softer or slightly sweeter flavors.
You don't have to finish one dish before moving to another.
Instead, try a little bit of different banchan while eating your rice and main dish.
That's part of the fun of a Korean meal. 😊
3. Can You Get Free Banchan Refills?
At many Korean restaurants, certain basic side dishes can be refilled if you finish them.
If you want more kimchi, for example, you can simply say:
“Kimchi jom deo juseyo.” (김치 조금 더 주세요.)
“Could I have a little more kimchi, please?”
Or you can say:
“Banchan jom deo juseyo.” (반찬 조금 더 주세요.)
“Could I have some more side dishes, please?”
These are useful phrases to remember when traveling in Korea.
However, not every banchan is necessarily available for unlimited free refills.
Policies can vary depending on the restaurant and the type of side dish. Some special or higher-cost side dishes may have different rules.
If you're unsure, just ask the staff.
4. Some Restaurants Have Self-Service Banchan Bars
Some Korean restaurants have a self-service area where customers can refill certain side dishes themselves.
The restaurant may serve the first round of banchan at your table, and you can then get additional portions from the self-service bar.
If you see a self-service banchan bar, it's usually better to take a small amount first and come back for more if you need it.
There's no need to pile your plate high.
5. A Little Banchan Refill Etiquette 😄
Here's one small piece of Korean dining etiquette that's worth remembering.
Getting another serving of a banchan you enjoy is usually perfectly fine when refills are offered.
But try to take only as much as you can finish.
💡 Banchan Refill Tip
Enjoy the refills, but take only what you can eat.
Getting refill after refill and leaving a mountain of banchan behind isn't very polite — and it creates unnecessary food waste. 😅
Enjoy the refills — just don't turn your table into a banchan buffet! 😄
That's probably the easiest rule to remember.
Take a little → enjoy it → get more if you want.
6. Can You Take Leftover Banchan Home?
Depending on the restaurant and the food, you may sometimes be able to take leftover portions of your main dish home.
Basic complimentary banchan are different.
In general, you shouldn't assume that free banchan — especially extra portions taken from a self-service bar — are meant to be packed up and taken home.
It's better to take only what you plan to eat at the restaurant.
7. Is There a Special Order for Eating Banchan?
No.
There isn't a strict order you have to follow.
You can eat some rice with kimchi, try a bite of a vegetable side dish, have some meat, and then go back to another banchan.
Try different combinations and find the ones you like.
For first-time visitors, tasting several different banchan can be one of the most enjoyable parts of eating at a Korean restaurant.
What Kinds of Banchan Will You See in Korea?
The side dishes served will vary from restaurant to restaurant, but here are some common examples:
Baechu Kimchi (배추김치) — Napa cabbage kimchi with a spicy, tangy flavor
Gim (김) — Roasted seaweed that is often eaten with rice
Gyeran Mari (계란말이) — Korean rolled omelet
Kongnamul Muchim (콩나물무침) — Seasoned soybean sprouts
Sigeumchi Namul (시금치나물) — Korean seasoned spinach
Eomuk Bokkeum (어묵볶음) — Stir-fried Korean fish cake
Oi Muchim (오이무침) — Spicy Korean cucumber salad
Want to learn more about these dishes and how Koreans eat them?
👉 7 Common Korean Side Dishes and How to Eat Them
Enjoy Korean Banchan Like a Local
If several small dishes suddenly arrive at your table in Korea, don't worry — you probably didn't accidentally order seven extra dishes. 😄
They're banchan, and they're one of the most enjoyable parts of Korean dining culture.
Try a little of everything, ask for more of your favorites when refills are available, and remember the simple rule:
Take only as much as you can eat.
That way, you can enjoy Korean banchan without worrying about unfamiliar dining customs — and maybe even discover a new favorite Korean dish along the way.
🇰🇷 Korean Version
Want to read this article in Korean?
👉 한국 식당 반찬은 무료일까? 리필도 가능할까? 외국인이 알아두면 좋은 반찬 문화
AI Disclosure
This article was written and edited with the assistance of AI to help organize and present the information clearly.
