The 10 Best Side Dishes To Serve With Korean Short Ribs (Kalbi)!

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Korean short ribs (kalbi) on a gold rimmed plate garnished with green onions.

If you are like me, you could enjoy a mouthwatering plate of delicious Korean short ribs (also known as galbi or kalbi) any day! This popular dish is one of the stars of Korean cuisine, and for good reason!

Pictured above is some LA galbi, which uses a flanken cut of beef ribs. This Korean barbecue dish, with its sweet and savory flavor and incredibly tender meat, is the perfect main course for your next Korean meal.

For a great kalbi recipe, please see "How To Cook Korean Short Ribs In The Oven."

And the ideal accompaniments to your kalbi is steamed rice, and banchan!

What Is Banchan?

Several banchan dishes including kimchi and bean sprouts. — Photo by makafood: https://www.pexels.com/photo/kimchi-on-a-plate-8954513/

If you've enjoyed dining at Korean restaurants, you will know that they typically bring out a selection of amazing side dishes, or banchan, to accompany your meal.

Banchan are meant to be served with rice, and these dishes are customarily enjoyed together with the main course.

So, when serving kalbi, it's best to do as the Koreans do, and enjoy some banchan to go along with your Korean beef ribs!

Read on for the most amazing Korean side dishes to serve with galbi!

Top 10 Best Side Dishes To Serve With Korean Short Ribs (Kalbi)

1. Steamed Rice

A patterned bowl containing steamed rice. There is a pair of silver chopsticks resting across the bowl.

If you are only going to serve only one of these side dishes with your kalbi, it has got to be a heaping bowl of steaming white rice! Rice and galbi go together like salt and pepper, and macaroni and cheese!

Sprinkle a little sesame oil over the meat and/or rice for a bit of extra indulgence.

2. Radish Kimchi (aka Kkakdugi)

Korean radish kimchi also called kkakdugi in a patterned bowl. There is a pair of silver chopsticks resting across the bowl.

You've also got to include some kimchi with your ribs! One of the most popular kimchi's, in addition to napa cabbage kimchi, is kkakdugi, or radish kimchi.

This is made with radishes (using Korean mu radish, or daikon radish) that have been cut into cubes. It's super easy to make and doesn't require any fermentation, so it's ready to eat right away!

3. Cucumber Kimchi

A bowl containing cucumber kimchi with onions and green onions. There is a pair of silver chopsticks resting on the bowl.

Another kimchi that would be great to serve with galbi is cucumber kimchi, or "oi kimchi". It's like a Korean cucumber salad, is delightfully refreshing, and super easy to make at home in about 30 minutes!

It's made with fresh ingredients and includes Korean red pepper flakes, rice wine vinegar, and fish sauce which combine to give you an explosion of flavor for your taste buds!

4. Korean Spicy Bean Sprouts

Korean spicy bean sprouts in a white bowl. Someone is holding some of the bean sprouts with a pair of silver chopsticks.

One of my favorite Korean dishes is Korean Spicy Bean Sprouts. This banchan is also called kongnamul muchim, and is quick, simple and easy to make.

This dish includes lots of garlic, Korean red pepper flakes, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and some fish sauce to give it that wonderful umami flavor.

Your local grocery store may carry bean sprouts. But try to buy ones that have the yellow head on the sprouts, as pictured above, which are soya bean sprouts. Asian markets typically sell these. And it's not critical to use the the sprouts with the yellow heads, but I just like the look at taste of these better. 😃

If you want a mild flavor rather than spicy, simply omit the Korean red pepper flakes!

5. Korean Zucchini Side Dish

Korean zucchini side dish in a square serving dish with a pair of silver chopsticks resting across the dish.

Korean zucchini side dish, or Hobak Namul, is Korean food at its best!

Here, the zucchini is cooked over a medium high heat with a variety of delicious ingredients. It can be served at room temperature or chilled.

You can use Korean zucchini, or aehobak, or the North American variety. Aehobak should be available at your local Korean market.

Hobak namul is the perfect accompaniment to your flanken style Korean short ribs!

6. Easy Asian Spinach

Asian style wilted spinach salad in a patterned bowl. There is a pair of purple chopsticks resting across the bowl.

Why not try this non-spicy spinach side dish with your kalbi?

This easy side dish is healthy, and is made with raw baby spinach, soy sauce, sesame oil, black pepper, sugar, and sesame seeds.

One of the best things about this spinach side dish is that it's ready in less than 10 minutes!

7. Korean Green Onion Kimchi

A white serving dish containing Green Onion Kimchi. There is a pair of silver chopsticks resting across the dish.

Korean Green Onion Kimchi, or Pa Kimchi, traditionally uses wild green onions. However, it's perfectly acceptable to use the green onions that you find at your local grocery store for this dish.

Think of this kimchi as a spicy scallion salad! In addition to green onions, this dish includes fresh ginger and garlic, Korean red pepper flakes, fish sauce, and water.

You'll absolutely love this paired with your Korean style short ribs!

8. Korean Perilla Leaves

Korean perilla leaves in a glass serving dish in the background. In the foreground someone is holding one of the perilla leaves with a pair of silver chopsticks.

Korean perilla leaves, also known as sesame leaves, is an absolutely delectable banchan!

These are available at Korean grocery stores. The perilla leaves taste somewhat like mint and licorice. Here, we marinate them for extra flavor with red pepper flakes, soy sauce, fresh garlic, sugar, and Thai chili's.

This Korean side dish has bold flavors which you will love!

9. Korean Braised Tofu

A white serving dish containing slices of Korean spicy braised tofu garnished with sesame seeds and green onions. There is a pair of silver chopsticks resting on the serving dish.

Korean style braised tofu is also known as dubu jorim. Dubu means tofu, and jorim means a simmered dish. So this is a simmered tofu.

In this recipe, the tofu is first pan fried and then simmered in a spicy and savory sauce. The tofu is garnished with sesame seeds and spring onions, and it's a striking side dish to accompany your flanken short ribs!

10. Bok Choy Kimchi

Korean bok choy kimchi on a white plate.

Last but not least, consider making this bok choy kimchi to go along with your kalbi!

You are going to have to trust me...this Korean kimchi is AMAZING! The recipe calls for using baby bok choy, but you could also use mature bok choy, or even Shanghai bok choy.

My favorite thing about this recipe (along with it being over the top delish!), is that it's ready in about 10 minutes.

Do yourself a favor and make this to go along with your Korean short rib dish!

Which Side Dishes Will You Make To Go With Your Kalbi?

So there you have the BEST Side Dishes To Serve With Korean Short Ribs (Kalbi)!

Serve one, or serve them all! Please send me an invite to your spectacular Korean meal! 😊

FAQ

What side dishes go with kalbi?

The best side dish to serve with kalbi is white rice and an assortment of banchan! Banchan are Korean side dishes that accompany Korean meals. Some suggestions include various types of kimchi's, Korean bean sprouts, and braised tofu!

What are Korean side dishes for?

Korean side dishes, or banchan, are essential parts of a Korean meal. They are meant to be served with rice and shared by the people who are enjoying a meal together.

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