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Banchan, the shared side dishes that accompany a Korean meal, are often the real stars of the table, and it's time we celebrate them. This first-of-its-kind cookbook showcases the wide world of banchan, from traditional staples to modern Korean American renditions, with 60 recipes from the kitchen of chef Caroline Choe.
Highlighting this underrepresented aspect of Korean cuisine, Banchan offers 60 mouthwatering recipes for classic and modern banchan dishes so home cooks everywhere can get in on the deliciousness. From namul (fresh vegetables) to buchimgae (pancakes), these tasty sides are proof that big flavor can be found in small bites:
Smoky Gochujang Chicken Salad rounds out a delightful midweek lunch.
Perfectly tender-on-the-inside, crisp-on-the-outside Hobakjeon (Zucchini Pancakes) are what dreams are made of.
Pa Muchim (Shaved Green Onion Salad) is a must-have with a Korean barbecue meal or an unexpected pizza topping.
And, of course, a favorite: Kimchi! Use Mom and Dad’s Kimchi, a favorite recipe passed down through Caroline’s family, to make Kimchi Mac & Cheese or Creamy Kimchi Bacon Dip for a crowd-pleasing party dish.
With tips on stocking a Korean American pantry and ideas for making banchan into a meal—add to a quiche, wrap in a kimbap, pile on a sandwich—Banchan shares an ancient and beloved feature of Korean cooking that will make every meal sing.
MODERN KOREAN COOKING: In addition to traditional recipes, the book showcases chef Caroline Choe's original renditions and modern applications of banchan, such as a grilled "Kimcheese" sandwich, Tomato Potato Miso Soup, Smoky Gochujang Chicken Salad, and Pa Muchim Pizza.
DELICIOUS SHAREABLE RECIPES: These recipes are tasty and easy to make, written with the home cook in mind. Anyone can bring the essential banchan into their home kitchen!
FIRST OF ITS KIND: The first U.S. cookbook covering this topic, Banchan elevates a beloved aspect of Korean cooking that deserves the spotlight for both its significance to the cuisine as well as its undeniable deliciousness.
A CELEBRATION OF THE FIRST-GENERATION EXPERIENCE: In addition to a trove of new and old recipes, Caroline shares stories about her background and upbringing as a first-generation Korean American. Following in the footsteps of successful cookbook authors such as Eric Kim and Andrea Nguyen, Caroline joins a strong tradition of authors passionately sharing their experiences and the cuisines of their heritage with American readers.
Caroline Choe, the proud daughter of Korean American immigrants, is a chef, artist, teacher, and writer based in New York City. She is also the founder of Create & Plate, a business devoted to creating community through arts and food education.
Eric Kim is a New York Times staff food writer born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He worked his way through the literary and culinary world to eventually become a digital manager at Food Network and a senior editor at Food52, where he amassed a devoted readership for his “Table for One” column. He now hosts regular videos on NYT Cooking’s YouTube channel. A former contributing editor at Saveur, Eric taught writing and literature at Columbia University, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, Bon Appétit, and Food & Wine. He lives with his rescue pup, Quentin Compson, in New York City.