Banchan — the constellation of small side dishes served alongside Korean BBQ — is arguably the most underappreciated element of the entire Korean dining experience. In Korea, a restaurant’s quality is often judged by its banchan as much as its main dishes. In Singapore, as Korean food culture deepens, more diners are discovering that great banchan elevates a Korean BBQ meal from good to exceptional. Here’s your guide to the best Korean side dishes to order in Singapore.
What Is Banchan?
Banchan (반찬) is the collective term for the small side dishes that accompany Korean meals. Traditionally, they are served in small bowls or plates arranged around the main dish, and they’re meant to be eaten communally, shared across the table. Unlike Western sides, banchan is not a supplement — it’s integral to the meal’s flavour architecture, providing contrast, balance and variety.
At a quality Korean BBQ restaurant like 8 Korean BBQ, the banchan changes depending on what’s in season and what the kitchen is making well that week. This dynamism is part of what makes Korean dining so engaging.
The Best Korean Side Dishes to Order
1. Kimchi (김치)
The non-negotiable. Fermented napa cabbage kimchi is the foundation of any banchan spread. Young kimchi is bright and crunchy with a fresh heat; aged kimchi is deeply sour and complex. Both have their place. 8 Korean BBQ’s house kimchi is made in the traditional way — look for it in the banchan section.
2. Japchae (잡채)
Glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables and sometimes beef, seasoned with sesame oil and soy. Japchae has a silky, slightly chewy texture and a deeply savoury flavour. It works as a banchan or as a standalone dish, and is universally popular at Korean tables in Singapore.
3. Kongnamul (콩나물무침)
Seasoned soybean sprouts — blanched and tossed with sesame oil, garlic and spring onion. Light, crunchy and refreshing, kongnamul provides an important textural counterpoint to the richness of grilled meats.
4. Gamja Jorim (감자조림)
Braised baby potatoes in a sweet-spicy soy glaze. Sticky, caramelised and deeply satisfying — this is one of the most addictive banchan dishes in the Korean repertoire.
5. Gyeran Jjim (계란찜)
Steamed egg custard — silky, savoury and delicate. Gyeran jjim provides a gentle, creamy contrast to the bold flavours of the grill. It’s also a universal crowd-pleaser across age groups.
6. Kkakdugi (깍두기)
Radish kimchi, cut into cubes and fermented with a similar spice paste to cabbage kimchi. Crunchy, pungent and refreshing — excellent alongside fatty pork belly as a palate cleanser.
7. Sigeumchi Namul (시금치나물)
Blanched spinach seasoned with sesame oil, garlic and soy. Simple and nutritious, sigeumchi namul is a staple banchan that balances the heaviness of BBQ meats beautifully.
How to Order Banchan for Delivery in Singapore
8 Korean BBQ offers a range of banchan for delivery across Singapore via the online ordering page. Order alongside a signature BBQ set for the full Korean BBQ experience at home, or order banchan separately for a Korean-inspired meal any night of the week.
Check out the full banchan range and the complete menu to plan your order. Great banchan makes every Korean meal better.