5 Restaurants Where the Side Dishes Fill You Up
- Mu-an’s Illo Jangteo Baekban — a generous 21 side dishes
- Yeoju’s famous Dokkaebi Garden — plates so big they could break the table
- Incheon Harbor Raw Fish House — an astounding 60-course spread and fresh sashimi
- Mokpo’s popular Jisan Restaurant — braised cutlassfish and lots of side dishes
- Gwak Kyung-chan’s Country Table in Itaewon — a surprisingly authentic Korean meal
There’s a special kind of warmth in Korea’s banchan culture. Order a main dish and a parade of small plates arrives with it—skipping them would feel almost sacrilegious. The bigger the spread, the more you feel cared for. From staple kimchi to seasoned greens, stir-fries and stews, each meal delivers a delicious variety. Here are five places where the side dishes alone could leave you full.
Mu-an’s Illo Jangteo Baekban — a generous 21 side dishes
Illo Jangteo Baekban in Mu-an, Jeollanam-do, is famous for serving more than 21 different side dishes. You can get this generous spread for just ₩9,000 (≈ $6.75), and the cooking highlights the bold, homey flavors Jeolla cuisine is known for. Expect local favorites like seasoned dried fish salad, salted hwangseok-eo, and seasoned gimtae. With daily-changing dishes, two bowls of rice are easy to polish off. They offer land and sea options, so you’ll leave completely satisfied.
| See more on Siksin: Illo Jangteo Baekban
- ✔Location
17-12 Sijang-gil, Illo-eup, Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do
- ✔Hours
Daily 09:00 – 16:00, closed Mondays
- ✔Menu
Baekban (single) ₩12,000 (≈ $9.00) Baekban (for two) ₩20,000 (≈ $15.00)
Yeoju’s Dokkaebi Garden — famous for plates so big they could break the table
Dokkaebi Garden in Yeoju is known for grilled fish and an expansive lineup of side dishes. The signature Dokkaebi Set is especially popular, featuring grilled deodeok, bossam, seasoned crab, and soybean paste stew—a truly generous plate. With a golf course nearby, many diners stop in after a round for a satisfying meal.
| See more on Siksin: Dokkaebi Garden
- ✔Location
407 Bupyeong-ro, Gangcheon-myeon, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do
- ✔Hours
Daily 07:00 – 21:00
- ✔Menu
Dokkaebi Platter ₩30,000 (≈ $22.50) Yeoju Rice Set ₩26,000 (≈ $19.50) Spicy Pork Wrap Set ₩21,000 (≈ $15.75)
Incheon Harbor Raw Fish House — an astounding 60-course spread and fresh sashimi
Incheon Harbor Raw Fish House, near Yeonan Pier, has built its reputation on serving over 60 side dishes. The number of plates is staggering—one table can hardly contain them. These aren’t just filler dishes; the flavors are consistently excellent, which keeps people coming back. The live-sliced sashimi tastes incredibly fresh, and this spot is best enjoyed with a group.
| See more on Siksin: Incheon Harbor Raw Fish House
- ✔Location
34, Yeonanbudu-ro 75beon-gil, Jung-gu, Incheon
- ✔Hours
Daily 11:00 – 22:00
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✔Menu
C course (serves 3–4) ₩180,000 (≈ $135.00), B course (includes lobster) ₩200,000 (≈ $150.00), Special A course (serves 6) ₩260,000 (≈ $195.00)
Mokpo’s Jisan Restaurant — popular for braised cutlassfish and varied side dishes
Jisan Restaurant offers more than 18 generous side dishes. The signature braised cutlassfish is satisfying on its own, and the variety of accompaniments makes this place a local favorite. The braised cutlassfish even comes with yellow croaker, which is a serious rice stealer. With so many side dishes, plan on at least two bowls of rice.
| See more on Siksin: Jisan Restaurant
- ✔Location
2 Jisan-gil, Samhyang-eup, Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do
- ✔Hours
Daily 10:00 – 19:30, closed Mondays
- ✔Menu
Baekban (braised cutlassfish) ₩12,000 (≈ $9.00), Boneless Chicken Feet ₩15,000 (≈ $11.25), Large Spicy Raw Fish Salad ₩35,000 (≈ $26.25)
Gwak Kyung-chan’s Country Table — an unexpected Korean spot in Itaewon
Gwak Kyung-chan’s Country Table serves home-style Korean meals that feel refreshingly authentic on Itaewon’s eclectic strip. The rustic set meal—with a dozen or more neatly prepared side dishes—is the star, and the hands-on cooking wins over even foreign diners. Side-dish refills are allowed, so you can eat your fill. For just ₩10,000 (≈ $7.50), it’s an excellent, budget-friendly option.
| See more on Siksin: Gwak Kyung-chan’s Country Table
235 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
- ✔Hours
Daily 10:00 – 21:10
- ✔Menu
Country Set ₩12,000 (≈ $9.00), Grilled Cutlassfish ₩11,000 (≈ $8.25), Seasoned Crab ₩15,000 (≈ $11.25)
