Bring the Korean BBQ experience home with this simple Hobak Namul recipe. This classic Korean zucchini side dish (Banchan) is savory, slightly sweet, and perfectly tender. It’s a must-have topping for homemade Bibimbap bowls or a healthy side for Korean short ribs!
If you love zucchini, you'll also want to try Korean Zucchini Kimchi!
You will always have a feast for your eyes when dining in a Korean restaurant. I am always filled with anticipation to see what banchan, or Korean side dishes, are brought out to accompany the Korean food l I've just ordered.
I almost enjoy eating the banchan more than the main course. 😊
Banchan, a mainstay of Korean cuisine, are spectacularly beautiful. They are a feast for your eyes, as well as your palate. Many are typical: various types of kimchi, spinach side dish, potato side dish, radish, etc. You never know what side dishes you will be served! One side dish that I'm always excited to see is the Korean zucchini side dish, or Hobak Namul.
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Hobak Namul - Korean Zucchini Side Dish
Let me introduce you to hobak namul. "Hobak" means zucchini, and "namul" means vegetable side dish. This dish is best made with Korean zucchini, however our regular zucchini (North American) is fine to use as well, and just as delicious!
Korean zucchini, or aehobak, differs from the North American zucchini in that the flesh is more delicate and has thinner or smoother skin.
This Korean zucchini recipe involves stir frying sliced zucchini with a few incredible ingredients which results in a delightful dish with a fantastic balance of flavors.
Please read on to discover what ingredients you will need to make this most delicious of Korean dishes!
🥘 Ingredients
Very few ingredients are needed, and the hobak namul is so easy and quick to prepare. You will need your fresh zucchini, some garlic, green onions, sesame oil, fish sauce, sugar, and Korean red pepper flakes (you can order here on Amazon or buy at your Asian grocery) and just a few minutes of your time and voila! Your hobak namul will be ready to eat in no time.
🔪 Instructions
So now allow me to show you how easy it is to make this Korean zucchini side dish!
First, cut the ends off your zucchini. Slice zucchini in half lengthwise, and then cut into thin discs as shown in the image. Place in a colander or small bowl and sprinkle salt over the zucchini. Leave for 10 minutes, and then using paper towels you'll want to wipe off the salt and then squeeze firmly to get rid of the excess water.
Heat up your sesame oil (medium-high heat) on a large skillet or frying pan. Add the zucchini slices, and stir fry for around 5 min to soften. Cook a bit longer if necessary to soften. Some of the zucchini will turn a golden brown, just don't let it burn.
Add the garlic, green onion, fish sauce, sugar, and red pepper flakes, and stir fry an additional minute.
Remove from the heat, and allow to cool. Your stir-fried zucchini with a fantastic savory taste is now ready to serve!
Suggestions For Serving
Serve this delicious banchan as part of a Korean meal, with rice, or anytime you desire something to spice up your meal!
This is particularly delicious with Korean short ribs, beef bulgogi, and spicy chicken bulgogi!
This delicious Korean side dish is best served at room temperature or cold.
I hope this will become one of your favorite Korean recipes!
If you make this dish please let me know your feedback! You can email me at grace@explorecookeat.com, or comment below!!! Thank you!!!
FAQ
Store your Hobak namul in an airtight container in your refrigerator, and consume within 2-3 days.
Korean zucchini, or aehobak, differs from the North American zucchini in that the flesh is more delicate and has smoother or thinner skin.
You should be able to find Korean zucchini at Korean grocery stores and/or well stocked Asian markets.
Some Other Great Recipes You May Enjoy!
Here are some other Korean side dishes you may enjoy!
- Bok Choy Kimchi
- Korean Perilla Leaves
- Korean Spicy Bean Sprouts
- Quick and Easy Cucumber Kimchi
- Korean Wild Green Onion Kimchi - Pa Kimchi
- Easy Zucchini Kimchi
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Cheers!
Grace
Korean Zucchini Side Dish (Hobak Namul)
Ingredients
- 1 zucchini either Korean or North American variety
- 1 green onion sliced finely
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ts sugar
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon Korean red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cut the ends off your zucchini. Slice in half lengthwise, and then cut into thin discs as shown in the image. Place in a colander or bowl and sprinkle ½ ts of salt over the zucchini. Leave for 10 minutes, and then using paper towels you'll want to wipe off the salt and then squeeze firmly to get rid of the excess water.
- Heat up your sesame oil (med high heat) on a skillet. Add the zucchini, and stir fry for around 5 min to soften. Cook a bit longer if necessary to soften.
- Add the garlic, green onion, fish sauce, sugar, and red pepper flakes, and stir fry an additional minute.
- Remove from the heat, and allow to cool.
Anna M
Great recipe! Growing up, my best friend's Mom was from Korea, and I have such fond memories of her cooking. I haven't made hobak namul for years, and this recipe was a wonderful way for me to reconnect with the comfort food from my childhood. With zucchinis coming in from the garden at warp speed now, I'll be keeping a constant pot of this ready as a side dish. Thank you!
Grace
Hi Anna! Thanks so much for your comments! I'm overjoyed to know that you liked the recipe, but moreso that it brought back memories from your childhood. That connection is something we all crave I think!! Thank you again Anna and take good care!! Grace
정수진
If I don’t have fish sauce, can I use soy sauce or 새우젓?
정수진
Thank you! I made it with soy sauce and it was delicious. 🙂
Grace
Hello! Thank you so much for trying with soy sauce and letting me know! This is so helpful to me because I can add this in the post to help others make a substitution if they don't have fish sauce. I cannot thank you enough! Have a great day! Grace
Nurys
I’ve never known what to make with zucchinis and I love Korean food. Had all the ingredients, so quick to make and so delicious, Zucchinis are so hard on the outside that I no idea they required so little time to be ready. Thank you for this recipe!
Grace
Hi there! Thanks so very very much for trying out the recipe and taking the time to comment here! I'm overjoyed that you liked it! Thanks again and I wish you a wonderful day...take good care! Grace
Rio
Didn't really make it tbh haha, just used this recipe as a base for something else. I added soya sauce and fish sauce, also I added (very last minute impulsive add on) some oyster shrooms as I desperately needed to use them 🙂
So I made something very similar! But thanks for this recipe!
Grace
Hi Rio! Thanks so much for commenting and I'm super excited that you were inspired by the recipe and used it as a base for what sounds like an incredible dish! I'd love to know more!! 🙂 Thanks again and I wish you and your family a wonderful and safe year! Take care, Grace
Karen
This was absolutely delicious! Definitely going into my recipe arsenal.
Grace
Hi Karen! I'm super happy that you enjoyed the zucchini side dish! Thanks for taking the time to comment, and I wish you and your family a very Happy New Year!! Take care! Grace 🙂
diana
so yummy i added it to my beef bulgogi bowl. it was perfect.
Grace
Hi Diana! Thanks so much for trying out this recipe and I'm so overjoyed that you liked it!! I appreciate you taking the time to comment here as well! Happy New Year to you and your family and thanks again!! Grace 🙂
PJ
The recipe sounds easy and delicious, however, I have a family member who doesn't like spicy foods.
Can I still use the the red pepper flakes, but less?
Grace
Hi PJ! Thanks so much for your comments! Yes, I believe if you reduce the amount of red pepper flakes or eliminate it the dish should still taste good! Please if you do decide to make it would you let me know what you think? I would love to hear your feedback! Thanks so much and I wish you a great day! Grace
Hilary
I come back to this recipe every few weeks or so. So Easy, so delicious. This is a perfect dish! Adds a bit of spicy, sweet, deliciousness to all sorts of asian rice bowl dishes. So versatile. Cant recommend enough!
Grace
Hi Hilary! You have absolutely made my day! Thank you ever so much for your kind comments and I'm over the moon happy that you enjoy this dish so much! Truly I am grateful for you! All the very best always, Grace
Chris
How long will it stay good for?
Grace
Hi Chris, thanks so much for your question! It's best to eat this within a couple of days, maybe 3 at best. If you do try it out I'd love to hear if you liked the dish. Thanks again, and hope you have a great week! Grace
Mila
My friend give me a lot o f zucchini but don’t how to cook it. We Filipino doesn’t cook that much of zucchini but I came across to your recipe so I tried it and in my surprise everybody in my family likes it. Thank you now I have a new vegetable recipe coming from you
Grace
Hi Mila! Thank you so very very much for trying this recipe and taking the time to comment here! I'm so very happy that your family likes the Korean Zucchini! May I also say that I LOVE Filipino cuisine! Thanks again and I wish you a wonderful day!! Grace
H
If I have a family who cant eat peper flakes or anything spice for health reasons would removing the pepper flakes ruin the dish
Elvis Nigol
Perfect. I ran out of fish sauce and used soy+oyster sauce 50:50 instead, worked out excellent.
Grace
Hi Elvis! Thanks so very much for trying out this recipe and for taking the time to comment! I'm so so happy that you liked the dish and would love to try the oyster sauce sub myself! Thanks again and have a wonderful holiday season! Grace
Minou
Hi! Do you mean rosted sesame oil? If not, can I use any other oil, like sunflower oil? I want to make this but I only have rosted sesame oil.
Grace
Hello Minou thank you for your question and I'm sorry about the confusion! Yes, please use roasted sesame oil for this recipe. I do hope you enjoy the recipe and the dish and thanks for your willingness to try it out. Hope you have a wonderful day! Grace