Free Korean Side Dishes (Banchan) Refills at Restaurants

At many Korean restaurants, water, basic banchan (반찬), and additional vegetables are provided without an extra charge. Common refillable sides include kimchi, kkakdugi (깍두기, cubed radish kimchi), bean sprouts, pickled radish, and other simple vegetable dishes. Lettuce and other vegetables for ssam (쌈), or Korean wraps, are also usually free to refill.

Some special or premium side dishes may cost extra. Examples of side dishes that may require an additional charge include:

• Marinated crab
• Premium seafood
• Special meat dishes
• Jeon
• Seasonal ingredients
• Signature side dishes

At Restaurants with a Self-Service Bar

Look for a self bar (셀프바) or signs that say 셀프 (“self-service”) or 반찬 셀프 (“self-service side dishes”). Take a clean plate if one is provided, and use the serving tongs or spoons beside each dish. Start with a small portion and return for more if you want it. Use a separate utensil for each dish, and don’t put food from your own plate back into the shared containers.

At Restaurants without a Self-Service Bar

If you don’t see a self-service station, ask a staff member for more. Press the call button on your table if there is one. If there isn’t, raise your hand slightly and say “Yeogiyo!” (여기요!), meaning “Excuse me!” Ask for only the side dishes you want, and take an amount you can finish. Even simple banchan takes time to prepare. Refills are a gesture of generosity, not permission to waste food.

Useful Korean Phrases

Banchan deo juseyo. (반찬 더 주세요.)
“Could I have some more side dishes, please?”

Kimchi deo juseyo. (김치 더 주세요.)
“Could I have some more kimchi, please?”

Banchaneun self-ingayo? (반찬은 셀프인가요?)
“Are the side dishes self-service?”

Igeo chuga yogeum isseoyo? (이거 추가 요금 있어요?)
“Is there an extra charge for this?”

Igeo deo juseyo. (이거 더 주세요.)
“Could I have a little more of this, please?”

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