Tag: Banchan

Beoseot bokkeum represents the perfect simplicity of Korean vegetable dishes, where mushrooms are quickly stir-fried with minimal seasonings to enhance their natural umami flavor. This Korean mushroom banchan showcases how Korean cuisine can highlight the inherent qualities of ingredients through proper cooking technique and thoughtful seasoning. What makes beoseot bokkeum particularly special is its ability… Read more

Dubu jorim represents the elegant simplicity of Korean cuisine, where humble tofu is transformed through careful braising into a flavorful, protein-rich banchan. This dish showcases how Korean cooking can elevate simple ingredients through patient cooking and thoughtful seasoning. In Korean households, this braised tofu is appreciated not only for its taste but also for its… Read more

Mayak gyeran represents the creative simplicity of Korean banchan, where humble eggs are transformed into addictively delicious Morean Marinated Eggs side dishes through a perfect marinade. The name literally translates to “drug eggs or crack eggs,” playfully referring to how addictive these savory, jammy eggs become once marinated in a perfectly balanced soy sauce-based solution.… Read more

Korean Beef Pancakes (Wanja Jun 완자전), represents the comforting, homestyle side of Korean cuisine, where humble ground beef is transformed into delicate, savory patties that bridge the gap between meatballs and pancakes. In Korean households, these tender patties are a favorite among children and adults alike, often appearing in lunchboxes (dosirak) and as a beloved… Read more

Gyeran mari represents the elegant simplicity of Korean home cooking, where humble ingredients like eggs are transformed into something special through technique and patience. This rolled omelette, a staple in Korean lunch boxes and household breakfast tables, showcases how attention to detail and careful rolling can turn everyday eggs into a beautiful, delicate dish that’s… Read more

Korean Bracken Fern Banchan, Gosari-namul 고사리나물, represents one of Korea’s most distinctive and traditional namul (seasoned vegetable) dishes, where bracken fern shoots are transformed through careful preparation into a uniquely flavorful banchan. This dish speaks to the Korean connection with foraged ingredients, as bracken fern has been harvested from mountainsides for generations, particularly during spring… Read more

In recent years in my travels and restaurant experiences, I’ve seen a rise in (x) Tapas, with (x) being Spanish, Mexican, Italian, and even Ethiopian. Around the world, there are many similar styles small-dish foods in the name of Pupus, Hors d’oeuvres, Izakaya, and Antipasta to name a few. In a Korean home or restaurant… Read more

Korean Braised Beef Banchan, Jangjorim 장조림, holds a special place in Korean cuisine as a premium banchan that transforms humble cuts of beef into a deeply flavored delicacy through a careful braising process. This dish exemplifies the Korean cooking philosophy of patience and preservation, where time and technique elevate simple ingredients into something extraordinary. In… Read more

Korean Steamed Spicy Soft Tofu Banchan, Soondubu Jjim 순두부찜, represents the gentle, nurturing side of Korean cuisine, where the delicate nature of soft tofu is elevated through a perfect balance of spice and seasoning. This warming dish holds a special place in Korean winter dining traditions, offering comfort and sustenance during cold months. Unlike many… Read more

Gamja jorim represents the everyday comfort of Korean home cooking, where humble potatoes are transformed into a flavorful banchan through careful braising in a soy sauce-based liquid. This dish exemplifies the Korean cooking principle of transforming simple ingredients into something special through patience and technique. In Korean households, these glazed potatoes are a beloved banchan… Read more

Korean Spinach Banchan, Sigeumchi-namul 시금치나물, represents the elegant simplicity that lies at the heart of Korean banchan culture. This vibrant green spinach dish, with its perfect balance of sesame, garlic, and soy, has been a cornerstone of Korean home cooking for generations. In Korean households, the preparation of sigeumchi-namul is often one of the first… Read more

Korean Braised Lotus Root Banchan, Yeongeun–jorim 연근조림, represents one of Korean cuisine’s most intriguing and beloved banchan, where the humble lotus root is transformed into a glossy, sweet-and-savory delicacy through patient braising. This dish perfectly exemplifies the Korean culinary tradition of finding beauty and deliciousness in ingredients that might seem unusual to outsiders. The lotus… Read more

Korean Spicy Cucumber Salad Banchan, Oi Muchim 오이무침, represents the refreshing simplicity that lies at the heart of Korean banchan culture, where the crisp freshness of cucumber meets the bold, spicy-savory seasonings that define Korean cuisine. This beloved dish appears on Korean tables throughout the year, but holds a special place during hot summer months… Read more