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Home » Recipes

Korean Zucchini Side Dish

May 3, 2019Last Modified: August 9, 2022

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Korean Zucchini Side Dish and chopsticks

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 meal I've just ordered.

I almost enjoy eating the banchan more than the main course. 🙂

Banchan 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.

Hobak Namul - Korean Zucchini Side Dish

Korean zucchini side dish
North American Zucchini

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 North American zucchini is fine to use as well, and just as delicious!

Korean Zucchini
Korean Zucchini

Korean zucchini, or aehobak, differs from the North American zucchini in that that flesh is more delicate and has thinner or smoother skin.

Korean zucchini side dish

Very few ingredients are needed, and the hobak namul is so easy and quick to prepare. You will need your 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. 🙂

By the way, check out this great article from Kitchenistic on How To Peel Garlic Easily - Tips and Tricks!

Korean hot pepper powder
Korean Red Hot Pepper Powder
Kadoya Sesame Oil
The BEST Fish Sauce! Three Crabs Fish Sauce
cut zucchini, korean red pepper flakes, garlic and green onion in a food processor
https://www.instagram.com/p/B28L2z8lmyv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Serve this delicious banchan as part of a Korean meal, with rice, or anytime you desire something to spice up your meal!

Korean Zucchini Side Dish and chopsticks
Hobak Namul (North American Zucchini)
Korean Zucchini Side Dish
Hobak Namul (Korean Zucchini)

Here are some other Korean side dishes you may enjoy!

Bok Choy Kimchi

Korean Bok Choy Kimchi

Korean Perilla Leaves

Korean perilla leaves

Korean Spicy Bean Sprouts

Korean bean sprout side dish

Quick and Easy Cucumber Kimchi

Cucumber Kimchi

Korean Wild Green Onion Kimchi - Pa Kimchi

Pa Kimchi

If you make this dish please let me know your feedback! You can email me at grace@explorecookeat.com, or comment below!!! Thank you!!!

Please sign up to get the latest recipes and inspiration for you to expand your food comfort zone and have fun in the kitchen! It's an incredible journey, please join me by signing up here. 🙂

Cheers!

Grace

Korean Zucchini Side Dish in a skillet

Korean Zucchini Side Dish (Hobak Namul)

Grace
Serve this delicious banchan as part of a Korean meal, with rice, or anytime you desire something to spice up your meal!  
5 from 8 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 12 mins
Cook Time 6 mins
Total Time 18 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Korean
Servings 3 servings
Calories 63 kcal

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.
    sliced zucchini
  • 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.  
    Korean Zucchini side dish
  • Remove from the heat, and allow to cool. 

Notes

You can eat this once cooled at room temperature, or eat chilled.  Serve as a side dish to a Korean feast or anytime you fancy a little spice!

Nutrition

Calories: 63kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 551mgPotassium: 195mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 171IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Banchan
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anna M

    June 28, 2020 at 9:18 am

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Grace

      June 28, 2020 at 9:25 am

      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

      Reply
  2. 정수진

    August 22, 2020 at 1:04 am

    If I don’t have fish sauce, can I use soy sauce or 새우젓?

    Reply
    • 정수진

      August 23, 2020 at 12:18 am

      Thank you! I made it with soy sauce and it was delicious. 🙂

      Reply
      • Grace

        August 23, 2020 at 8:57 am

        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

        Reply
      • Nurys

        March 09, 2022 at 6:39 pm

        5 stars
        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!

        Reply
        • Grace

          March 09, 2022 at 11:39 pm

          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

          Reply
  3. Rio

    January 11, 2021 at 10:48 am

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Grace

      January 11, 2021 at 4:20 pm

      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

      Reply
  4. Karen

    January 20, 2021 at 10:35 pm

    5 stars
    This was absolutely delicious! Definitely going into my recipe arsenal.

    Reply
    • Grace

      January 21, 2021 at 9:39 am

      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 🙂

      Reply
  5. diana

    February 08, 2021 at 5:09 pm

    5 stars
    so yummy i added it to my beef bulgogi bowl. it was perfect.

    Reply
    • Grace

      February 08, 2021 at 7:45 pm

      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 🙂

      Reply
  6. PJ

    April 06, 2021 at 11:22 am

    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?

    Reply
    • Grace

      April 06, 2021 at 1:09 pm

      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

      Reply
  7. Hilary

    April 12, 2021 at 6:41 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Grace

      April 12, 2021 at 7:42 pm

      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

      Reply
  8. Chris

    February 28, 2022 at 8:10 pm

    How long will it stay good for?

    Reply
    • Grace

      February 28, 2022 at 8:14 pm

      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

      Reply
  9. Mila

    March 16, 2022 at 8:21 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Grace

      March 16, 2022 at 11:00 pm

      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

      Reply
  10. H

    June 29, 2022 at 12:20 pm

    5 stars
    If I have a family who cant eat peper flakes or anything spice for health reasons would removing the pepper flakes ruin the dish

    Reply
  11. Elvis Nigol

    November 28, 2022 at 11:56 am

    5 stars
    Perfect. I ran out of fish sauce and used soy+oyster sauce 50:50 instead, worked out excellent.

    Reply
    • Grace

      November 29, 2022 at 6:29 pm

      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

      Reply

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About Me

Hi I’m Grace! I'm married and a mom to my fur baby, Toby, and food and travel are two of my greatest passions! Since our bank account does not allow us to travel or eat out as much as we'd like, I decided I would cook delicious meals that could give us a taste of all the places we'd like to go. My goal is to get you in the kitchen, and inspire you to cook and taste delightful meals that will transport you too. Let’s throw some actual travel in from time to time, all with an emphasis on keeping your wallet full and happy as well. Let’s get cooking and let’s start exploring!! I'm excited to be on this journey with you!!

By the way most of these recipes are Toby taste tested and Toby approved!!

Chief Taste Tester Toby

Toby Chief Taste Tester

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