When foreigners first sit down at a Korean restaurant, the reaction is almost universal: “Wait… all these dishes are free?” “Why are there so many?” “Do Koreans eat like this every day?” Small plates of vegetables, seasoned roots, marinated meats, fermented foods, and tiny bites of flavors fill the table before the main dish even … Continue reading Why Korean Side Dish Culture Exists: The Real Reason There Are So Many Banchan