5 Ways To Complement Your Korean BBQ Chicken

If you are looking for something to serve with your Korean BBQ chicken, look no further.

These delicious side dishes in this article will pair perfectly with your meal.

Plus, they are all easy to make and require few ingredients.

So, what are you waiting for?

Keep reading and start cooking!

What is Korean BBQ chicken?

Korean BBQ chicken is a popular chicken dish that can be found in any restaurant throughout South Korea.

There is no fixed recipe to cook chicken in a Korean style, but the chicken often comes with a flavorful, sticky, and vibrant sauce that is often made from soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, sugar, and rice wine vinegar.

Any cut of chicken can be used in this recipe, either bone-in or boneless, skin-on or skinless.

The chicken can also be cooked in different ways, including grilling, barbecuing, or baking.

The resulting dish is packed with flavors and has a beautiful caramel to red color.

It is often sprinkled with some sesame seeds to garnish and add a nutty flavor to the dish.

What to consider when choosing a Korean BBQ chicken’s side dish?

When it comes to Korean BBQ chicken, there are endless side dish options to choose from.

But there are a few things to consider when making your decision:

Korean BBQ chicken is best to serve with a Korean side dish

A Korean BBQ chicken goes best with a Korean side dish.

For example, steamed rice or kimchi are some typical and classic dishes in Korean cuisine that work as good accompaniments for any meat-based dish.

These dishes are all easy to make from inexpensive ingredients, but the result will be sure to satisfy your taste buds and make your meal tastier.

Korean BBQ chicken can be served with a starchy side dish or a vegetable one

Another thing to keep in mind when picking a side dish for your sticky Korean BBQ chicken is that this dish pairs well with either a starchy side dish or a vegetable recipe.

A starchy side can easily absorb the delicious sauce while a vegetable dish can make your chicken dish easier to eat thanks to its refreshing flavor.

5 best side dishes to serve with Korean BBQ chicken

Let’s see which side dish among the five following recipes can make your Korean BBQ chicken better:

1.     Steamed rice

Steamed rice is an inexpensive and versatile dish that is commonly eaten in Asia.

It is simply made by boiling white rice in water until the dish has a starchy and fluffy texture.

The mild flavor and starchy texture of steamed rice are perfect to eat with a savory dish that comes with a flavorful and delicious sauce like BBQ chicken.

2.     Sauteed vegetables

Sauteed vegetables can be a great accompaniment for your Korean BBQ chicken.

There are different kinds of veggies that are great for sauteing, including green beans, spinach, broccoli, bell pepper, asparagus, cauliflower, or mushrooms. 

Sauteed vegetables take less time to cook by coating vegetables with a light coat of olive oil and spices.

3.     Cucumber salad

A cucumber salad can work as a great accompaniment to serve alongside Korean BBQ chicken.

Cucumber is an affordable ingredient that has a crunchy texture and a refreshing taste.

Cucumber is always eaten raw, and mixed with other spices, herbs, and a tangy dressing to result in a flavorful and crispy salad to pair with your sticky BBQ chicken.

4.     Kimchi

Kimchi is one of the classic side dishes in Korean cuisine, and it is typically served with any meat-based dish, in any daily meal of Koreans.

Kimchi is the name for fermented cabbage in spicy brine.

It appears with vibrant red color and a spicy sour flavor that can easily balance the greasy and savory taste of meat.

Your BBQ chicken can also work with other kinds of pickles, like pickled radish or pickled cucumber.

5.     Lettuce wraps

You can serve your Korean BBQ chicken with lettuce wraps for a healthy and balanced meal.

The crunchiness and refreshing flavor of raw lettuce will offset the rich taste of Korean BBQ chicken, making your meal more enjoyable.

The bottom line

With these five delicious and easy-to-make side dishes, you can get creative with your Korean BBQ chicken.

From a traditional Korean pickled cabbage called kimchi to lettuce wraps and more, there are many options to choose from depending on your preference.

So try them all and let us know in the comments below which Korean BBQ chicken accompaniment you like the most!