Saying “No” To Banchan ( 반찬 ) In South Korea

I am one of those people that doesn’t like to waste food, and if you are too, you might need to worry about Banchan ( 반찬 ), when visiting South Korea. I’ve posted a question inside a Facebook group where both Korean visitors and natives answered the question about it.

My question was:

Hi, I am just curious about this one for a looooong time.

Whenever we go to a Korean restaurant, there are always a LOT of side dishes.

I know it is obviously disrespectful on paper, but how do Koreans feel if we (foreigners) don’t eat the side dishes? Can we at least tell the receptionist in advance to not serve it to not waste food?

This was a divisive topic as some people were rude, neutral, and the good ones really provided tips and honest answers so I decided to curate them here as a mini guide for you.

What is Banchan in South Korea?

Banchan or 반찬 means “side dish”. The word might be singular, but it is more of a collection of side dishes on a table at a Korean restaurant. These side dishes are in small quantities and are considered like a salad while waiting for food.

These side dishes are mostly vegetables and some of these are spinach, radishes, potatoes, bean sprouts, etc.

How do you tell Koreans to not serve Banchan?

If you don’t need side dishes at all, you can let them know. I think they’d appreciate you telling them ahead of time, if you know you won’t eat it, to not waste food. But if you want to try a bit of them, it’s ok. I don’t think they’d take offense.

Say, “반찬 필요없어요. 감사합니다.” (I don’t need side dishes. Thank you.) Or write it on your translator app.

Upon my recent visit, I’ve actually found that most places don’t serve a lot of side dishes anymore. Mostly 1 or 2 of very small portions. Banchan or side dishes take a lot of time to make and so I think they don’t want to waste their time and money unless it’s necessary.

This was the best answer in that post and he told us a Korean phrase that every Korean visitor can actually use. What he said about side dishes being prepared for a long time and eventually will get to waste is actually a very irritating thought, so please consider asking them to not serve it if you won’t eat them.

I think they will really appreciate it if you honestly tell them in advance. Less work, less wastage.

Now I think the best way to tackle this is to show you the exact comment, and I will give you my thoughts about them.

The Positives Of Telling Them

Tell them what specifically you don’t want to eat

We found we tried and liked most of the side dishes we were given, so we ate them, but we don’t eat seafood, so we would just leave those, or when we returned to a restaurant near our hotel a few times and they always served a crab one, we would just tell them we don’t eat seafood and thank them, they would happily take the crab away again.

Just be polite, respectful, and appreciative. Also. If you haven’t already, then learn to say thank you in Hangul – 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) you’ll use it a lot while you’re there.

You’ll also have an amazing time!

If you are not going to eat a specific dish, may it be that you don’t eat it or you are allergic to it, Koreans will understand if you don’t eat it.

Koreans are used to it

I lived in Seoul for 2 years, when they would bring all of the sides myself and whoever I was with ate what we wanted and left the rest.

We never had anyone be rude to us about it or say anything. I think they are used to it.

Even if they are used to it, for me it is still a very sad scene leaving the food and servers picking and throwing them away. So I think as much as possible, just ask them.

Koreans understand it

I always ask when takeaway to not add side dishes and they totally understand! And every time I go back to every different restaurant they remember me and don’t add them in. Eat in the restaurant eat or not eat is up to you, they are fine.

They will appreciate it if you told them in advance just like what my friend did to our fave resto/eatery near our hotel. So everytime he goes there they won’t serve him any side dishes..good luck!

Both of these comments share a couple of very wonderful insights to Koreans. They are very understanding of your requests, and another one is that they will remember you and what you want, and what you don’t want.

The Negatives Of Telling Them

Koreans might find it weird

There are actually two answers here with different thoughts and actual points. The blue part is me replying to the one who commented.

I am culturally very American, so I’m not totally sure, but I just spent 10 days in Seoul and feel like it would be really weird to tell them not to serve the banchan.

I understand what you’re saying, and I’m all about not wasting food, but I think they might look at you funny. Do you not like any banchan? There’s a wide variety of salty, spicy, sour, sweet, veggie, fish, etc. I feel like almost everyone would like at least one or two.

It’s not that I don’t want to try them out or eat them. Honestly, I have a really bad gag reflex so tasting it and then my reflex would be like vomiting is also one of the things I am kind of worried about regarding these side dishes haha

If you can find somewhere to trial kimchi (pickled cabbage) before you go, that might help… other side dishes we got were a garlic combo, black beans, and seaweed (like the nori sheets that sushi is wrapped in plus a fee others. I ate them all and enjoyed them lol

Yes, that is the reason why I don’t want to be served with banchan…I have a bad gag reflex. However, the main point of this is that you went to another place and you don’t want to try out their food. Pretty weird, right?

Along with the comments above, you can also see the different flavors and tastes of what you can taste with a Korean banchan.

Koreans are sometimes confused with order modification

You don’t have to eat them. Even Korean friends I’ve eaten out with don’t always eat every banchan.

It also might be seen as kinda rude to say no side dishes? It just comes as a standard with the meal.

I’ve also noticed that for some reason it’s really hard for Koreans to adhere to an order modification  like if you want a burger but without mustard or on the side, it’s like they can’t understand the request and say it’s impossible  (read that on another group). Another time, I ordered a set menu that came with a soda but I don’t drink soda so I said I don’t need it. But they were so confused lmao.

I’m sure if you go to a restaurant in a touristy area they could be more understanding about it.

The one who commented presented very unique modifications about it. This would be very good info for you and me as this could be a possible scenario with your visit to South Korea. At this point, it is basically a 5050 situation whether or not it is rude to say no to Banchan.

Conclusion

Just like in any other country or place, you can’t please everyone. Your intention might be good, but to some people, it is not. I still stand to say no to the food you are not going to eat, but creating this article made me realize that I should try it out to fully experience a country’s culture.

I hope this article helped you in a lot of ways regarding Korean side dishes, and I hope this will increase your enjoyment when you are dining in South Korea.