banchan
/ˈbɑːn.tʃɑːn/
Korean Origin
Food & Drink
Original Word
반찬
Hangul (banchan)
Entered English
2000s
First recorded usage in English
The Story Behind "banchan"
From Korean 'banchan' (반찬), small side dishes served alongside cooked rice in Korean cuisine. The number of banchan can range from 3 to 12 or more depending on the occasion.
Example Usage
"The table was filled with various banchan before the main course arrived."