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What to Serve With Bo Ssam? 15 Best Side Dishes

What to Serve With Bo Ssam? 15 Best Side Dishes

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We provide a list of 15 sides that balance bo ssam by adding fresh greens, tangy pickles, and starchy options. These choices offer a variety of textures, temperatures, and preparation efforts to help create a well-rounded meal around rich, slow-braised pork.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Sticky Jasmine Rice sticky
  • Spicy Ssamjang Sauce smoky
  • Garlic Soy Blanched Spinach bright
  • Crunchy Pickled Daikon Radish crunchy
  • Kimchi Cabbage tangy
  • Sesame Roasted Sweet Potatoes caramelized
  • Lettuce Butter Bibb Wraps crisp
  • Soy Garlic Scallion Salad zesty
  • Grilled Shiitake Mushrooms smoky
  • Crispy Korean Scallion Pancakes crispy
  • Cold Cucumber and Chili Salad cooling
  • Toasted Sesame Garlic Green Beans tender-crisp
  • Steamed Jasmine Rice Cakes chewy
  • Fresh Korean Pear Slices refreshing
  • Chilled Tofu with Scallion Oil silky

Equipment

  • Sheet pan For roasting sweet potatoes
  • Mixing bowl For salads and dips
  • Cutting board
  • Serving platter To arrange sides and main

Method
 

  1. Assess what the main dish already provides—if it has starch, focus on vegetables and fresh sides.
  2. Choose 2-3 sides that fill different gaps: one vegetable, one starch or bread, one sauce or dip.
  3. Start the longest-cooking side first. Prep quick items like salads while the oven works.
  4. Balance temperatures—pair hot roasted vegetables with a cold slaw or chilled dip.
  5. Plate the main dish with sides arranged around it. Drizzle sauce or add garnish last.

Notes

Add a fresh vegetable side and a sauce like ssamjang, and prep ahead when possible to keep ingredients separate and chilled. This prevents the meal from feeling too heavy or bland.

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