How To Make A Korean Banchan Spread

Welcome to part three of Around The World In Four Spreads. So far we've given you the Italian antipasti and the Mediterranean mezze. 

The banchan is probably the spread with the most integration into a meal; if banchan isn't part of your Korean lunch or dinner experience, you're in the wrong place. That said, the amount and types of banchan can vary, from just a few little dishes to almost a dozen (for more formal occasions). Banchan usually include kimchi, pickled radish and carrots, and parboiled spinach with sesame seeds. What you, or your favorite Korean restaurant, adds to that is a matter of taste and presentation. Just make sure that the banchan are refreshed throughout the meal; this isn't an appetizer spread, but rather a complement to delicious favorite dishes like Korean fried chicken and kimchi fried rice.

+ ENLARGE

Illustrations: Yasmine Molavi