You Came for Korean BBQ. What Are All These Side Dishes?

The grill gets your attention. But the small plates, leafy wraps, and bowl of rice are worth getting to know, too.

You’re watching your favorite group eat after a busy day. The camera moves toward the grill, someone reaches across the table, and suddenly you’re hungry.

You decide that Korean barbecue belongs on your next Korea itinerary.

Then you sit down at a restaurant. Before the meat arrives, the table starts filling with small dishes. Kimchi. Seasoned vegetables. A basket of leaves. A little pot of sauce.

What do you eat first? What goes with the meat? And are those leaves there for decoration?

The grill is only one part of the meal. Here’s how to enjoy the rest of the table.

The Small Plates Are Part of Your Meal

Those side dishes are called banchan (반찬). The selection varies, but you might find kimchi, seasoned soybean sprouts, or other vegetable dishes beside the grill.

You don’t have to finish them before starting the meat. Keep them within reach and try them throughout the meal.

Take a bite of grilled pork, then some kimchi. Try another piece with the scallion salad. Have a little rice between bites.

The contrast is part of the pleasure: rich meat, something crisp, something tangy, then a milder mouthful.

There’s no need to sample everything at once. Start with one dish that looks interesting and see what you enjoy eating it with.

If you want more of something, ask the staff. What’s included and how refills work depend on the restaurant, especially for additional dishes listed on the menu.

Those Leaves Are for Building a Bite

Lettuce and perilla leaves often arrive alongside Korean barbecue for making ssam (쌈): a leaf wrapped around a small combination of food.

Start simply. Put a small piece of cooked meat on a leaf, add a little ssamjang (쌈장)—a savory seasoned paste—and fold the leaf around it.

That’s enough for your first try.

For the next one, you could add some rice or a little scallion salad. Try lettuce on its own, then see what a perilla leaf adds.

Keep the wrap small enough to eat comfortably in one bite. You don’t need to fit every ingredient on the table inside it.

You can also enjoy the meat without a wrap. Alternate between combinations rather than searching for one perfect formula.

The same order of pork belly can give you several different bites.

Leave Room to Look at the Rest of the Menu

As the grill begins to empty, you may notice another part of the meal arriving.

Depending on the restaurant, the menu might include doenjang-jjigae, a soybean paste stew, bowls of rice, cold noodles, or fried rice prepared at the table.

These options aren’t interchangeable, and no single ending is compulsory. A spoonful of warm stew offers a different experience from a bowl of cold noodles.

Check the menu before ordering: rice and stew may be included in a set or charged separately. Fried rice is available at some places, rather than something every barbecue restaurant prepares.

If you’re still hungry, choose what appeals to you. You don’t have to order everything to have the full experience.

Try One Combination You Haven’t Had Before

On your first visit, there’s plenty to take in without memorizing a list of dining rules.

Notice one side dish you like. Build one manageable wrap. Look beyond the meat section of the menu.

And if you’re unsure whether the staff will handle the grilling or you should do it yourself, ask before you begin.

Next time a barbecue scene appears in a K-pop vlog, your eye might wander beyond the grill. You’ll recognize the leaves, the little sauce dish, and the bowl someone keeps reaching for.

The meat may be what brought you to the table. Your favorite bite could depend on what you put beside it.