Panchan – What is Banchan? Things to know about Korean panchan

If you are a lover of Korean food, you have probably tried panchan. In the article below, Cfis.edu.vn will provide you with all the information you need to know about this dish.

Panchan – What is Banchan?

Panchan is also known as Banchan or Bansang. Panchan refers to Korean side dishes. The dish is usually served in small plates and served with meals.

What is Panchan?

In Korea, restaurants serve a variety of different panchans to enhance the flavor of the dish.

Origin of panchan

Panchan is a dish originating from Korean culinary culture during the Three Kingdoms period and influenced by Buddhism. At that time, Buddhism was considered the main religion and the instrument to govern Korea.

According to Buddhism, people do not use meat dishes in their meals. Therefore, dishes from vegetables gradually became an essential food source of each family and were used to offer to the kings and princes of the country.

Origin of panchan

Later, when the Mongol invasion was over, the “prohibition on eating meat” was abolished. However, the panchan is still not lost. Today, they are transformed into many dishes with more attractive and diverse flavors.

Common types of panchan

Panchan has many varieties and is made from many different ingredients, with the quantity up to more than 100 types. However, basically, there are 7 common types of panchan.

Bokkeum

Bokkeum is a stir-fry dish , also often seen as a main course of a meal. This type of pancha is usually made from ingredients such as beef, pork, chicken, …

Bokkeum is divided into two types, namely dry bokkeum and wet bokkeum. Dry bokkeum does not have a thick sauce, while wet bokkeum usually has a characteristic thick sauce.

Bokkeum

Jorim

Jorim is usually made from vegetables, meat, seafood, tofu,… They are marinated with sauce, then stewed. Usually, soy sauce (Ganjang) is often used as a sauce for this panchan.

There are two most popular Jorim dishes, which are beef stewed in soy sauce (Jang-jorim) and tofu stewed in soy sauce (Dubu-jorim).

Jorim

Jeon

Jeon is panchan style pan-fried or fried, with main ingredients such as diluted flour, fried meat, seafood, vegetables, eggs, carrots,… Popular types of Jeon cakes of Koreans can be mentioned. come like fried kimchi cake (Kimchijeon), potato pancakes (Gamjajeon),…

Jeon

Jjim

Jjim is a dish prepared by steaming. In Korea, popular Jjim dishes are steamed eggs (Gyeranjjim), steamed fish (Saengseon jjim),…

Jjim

Japchae

Japchae is a dish of vermicelli stir-fried with beef and spices such as soy sauce, chili, etc. Depending on the season, they can be prepared with vegetables such as carrots, onions, mushrooms,… When served as a side dish. With rice, this dish is also called Japchae-bap.

Japchae

Kimchi

Kimchi is a familiar and popular panchan for Korean meals. With a characteristic sour and spicy taste, this panchan will make the meal more delicious.

Kimchi

In addition to cabbage kimchi, Koreans also use many other types of kimchi such as green onion kimchi, cucumber kimchi, radish kimchi, etc.

Namul

Namul is also a popular panchan, with the main ingredients being vegetables . They can be prepared by steaming, marinating or sautéing. Eating Namul will help reduce the spiciness of dishes such as spicy noodles, mixed rice,…

Namul

Other usual side dishes

Danmuji

Danmuji is also known as yellow pickled radish, often served with rice rolls. The dish has a sour, sweet and sour taste that makes the meal more delicious and rich.

Danmuji

Saewoo (bokkeum myulchi)

These are panchan dishes made from shrimp or anchovies, then dried and fried or sautéed with sweet sauce. This is also a very tasty and popular snack in Korea.

Saewoo (bokkeum myulchi)

Seaweed

Seaweed is also commonly used to make panchan dishes. Panchan processed seaweed has many types and sizes, often mixed raw with sweet vinegar and salt.

Seaweed

Why are panchan dishes at Korean restaurants always serving unlimited?

In Korea, these panchans are usually served unlimitedly at restaurants. For most Koreans, banchan being served for free is something they’ve been aware of since childhood.

In Korea, banchan is served for free

This is explained by many people that, when Korea is in a difficult economic period, rice is often much more expensive than these side dishes. Therefore, after eating a bowl of rice, although still hungry, many people often choose to eat side dishes, instead of buying an extra bowl of rice.

Above is information about famous Korean panchan. Cfis.edu.vn hopes the article will be useful to you.

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