21 Delicious Korean-Style Salads to Spice Up Your Meal Prep

Posted on November 16, 2025 by Barbara Rosenthal

Korean Spicy Green Onion Salad

Korean Spicy Green Onion Salad

Wrapped in a crunchy, fresh Korean flair, the paejori salad is a masterclass in simplicity and elegance. This traditional dish, literally translating to “seasoned green onion,” certainly lives up to its name by packing a punch of spices thanks to the presence of gochugaru, or Korean chili flakes.

For those who dread chopping up an entire bunch of green onions, there’s a convenient solution – many Asian supermarkets now sell pre-sliced green onions, making it easier than ever to prepare this flavorful side dish. As a result, all you need to do is season and serve, and you’re ready to enjoy the paejori salad.

Korean Steamed Eggplant Side Dish – Gaji Namul

Korean Steamed Eggplant Side Dish – Gaji Namul

Korean Green Salad

Korean Green Salad

Flavors of Korea come alive in this delightful green salad, the perfect accompaniment to a savory grilled meat experience. With an endless array of leafy greens at your disposal, feel free to mix and match whatever you have on hand for a unique twist. The common thread that weaves these diverse greens together is a mouth-watering Korean-style dressing, crafted with a harmonious balance of soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, and the distinctive pungency of Korean fish sauce.

This delectable combination yields a salad that’s at once lovely and sweet, yet refreshingly tangy – truly a taste sensation.

Korean Lettuce Salad (상추 겉절이 Sangchoo Geotjeori)

Korean Lettuce Salad (상추 겉절이 Sangchoo Geotjeori)

Packed with flavor and texture, this side salad is a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats like pork and beef. The dressing, made from a harmonious blend of soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar, coats each leaf evenly, infusing every bite with an explosion of tastiness. A mix of red leaf lettuce, perilla leaves, and crispy stalks of chrysanthemum adds depth and crunch to the salad, all smothered in a sweet and tangy sauce that’s nothing short of perfection.

Sigeumchi Namul (Korean Spinach Salad)

Sigeumchi Namul (Korean Spinach Salad)

Delighting Koreans for generations, Sigeumchi namul is a quintessential side dish made with simplicity at its core. Despite its uncomplicated nature, this traditional Korean recipe boasts an incredible depth of flavor. All it takes to prepare this effortless banchan is blanching the spinach and seasoning it to perfection.

Interestingly, one of the key secrets to making Sigeumchi namul truly shine lies in the careful balancing of flavors, particularly when combining salt, garlic, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. To ensure that these seasonings penetrate deep into the blanched spinach, it’s essential to squeeze out as much water as possible, allowing each bite to be infused with a rich, savory taste.

Korean Seaweed Side Dish (Miyeok Julgi Bokkeum)

Korean Seaweed Side Dish (Miyeok Julgi Bokkeum)

Generally, Miyeok is considered a type of large seaweed that holds significant importance in Korean cuisine. Traditionally, when preparing Miyeok Julgi, it’s essential to carefully cut the stems out and slice them into extremely fine pieces. The quality of the seaweed stems plays a crucial role in this dish, and acquiring some high-quality ones is necessary for achieving the desired taste and texture.

You can usually find these at your local Asian supermarket or even purchase them online, so be sure to keep an eye out. However, it’s vital to note that overcooking the seaweed or cooking it at a low temperature can have undesirable consequences. If the heat is too high, the stems become overly slimy and unpalatable, leaving you with an unpleasant experience of eating slime.

Simple Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim)

Simple Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim)

Fresh from the world of Korean cuisine comes a simple yet mouth-watering side salad solution for those in a hurry: a delectable cucumber salad that can be prepared in just 5 minutes. These scrumptious seasoned cucumbers are more than just a snack, they pair fantastically with grilled meats or stews, making them an ideal accompaniment to your next meal. If you’re a fan of spicy foods, don’t hesitate to add a bit more chili powder to the seasoning mixture – it will only enhance the flavor.

Remember, always mix and taste as you go, lest you end up with a dish that’s too hot to handle! Go to Recipe

Baby Bok Choy Kimchi Salad (Geotjeori)

Baby Bok Choy Kimchi Salad (Geotjeori)

Just when you thought you knew your kimchi options inside out, discover the wonders of geotjeori, a type of kimchi that’s salted and not fermented. This makes it incredibly quick and easy to prepare, perfect for those who want a traditional kimchi substitute without the wait. Unlike regular kimchi, geotjeori skips the lengthy fermentation process, allowing you to enjoy its delicious flavor in no time.

The geotjeori kimchi salad we have in store is a true delight, with tender and crunchy bok choy bites that will leave you wanting more. Its delicate flavor profile makes it a great choice for those who prefer milder flavors without sacrificing any of the authenticity of traditional Korean cuisine. Whether you’re a seasoned kimchi lover or just starting to explore the world of Korean ingredients, this recipe is sure to impress.

Tofu Salad with Iceberg Lettuce for Asian Salad Feast

Tofu Salad with Iceberg Lettuce for Asian Salad Feast

Often, the humble tofu dish gets a bad rap for being dull and uninspired. However, this stunning tofu salad proves that notion wrong by combining the freshness of iceberg lettuce with the natural sweetness of sweet corn and daikon sprouts. The real star of the show is the hot mustard soy honey dressing, which brings a zesty kick to each bite.

Whether you’re in the mood for something light and easy for lunch or a quick weeknight dinner, this salad delivers on both fronts, making it perfect for everyday consumption. It’s also an excellent choice to pair with Korean dishes, elevating their flavors even further.

Crisp Korean Beef Salad with Citron Dressing

Crisp Korean Beef Salad with Citron Dressing

Achieving a satisfying meal can be quite challenging, especially when it comes to something as simple as a salad. A lot of us find ourselves craving more substantial flavors and textures beyond the usual greens and veggies. Fortunately, this crispy Korean beef salad is just what you need to hit the spot. What sets this recipe apart is its distinctive dressing, which incorporates a unique ingredient known as jarred citron tea or ‘yuja cha’.

This sweet and tangy condiment is actually a popular Korean home remedy for colds, made by infusing sliced citron fruits in honey or sugar. So, the next time you’re feeling under the weather, give this citrusy and meaty salad a try – it’s sure to leave you feeling better in no time.

Tuna Tataki Salad

Tuna Tataki Salad

Knowing that traditional dishes can be modified in various ways, this recipe offers a delightful Korean twist without straying far from its roots. Unlike conventional preparations, tuna tataki takes centre stage instead of raw fish, yielding a crispy exterior and a tender interior. Interestingly, ‘tataki’ itself is derived from Japanese cuisine, where the method involves searing fish over high heat to preserve its raw centre. For those feeling adventurous, give this recipe a try!

Korean BBQ Tempeh with Citrus Salad

Korean BBQ Tempeh with Citrus Salad

Kickstarting your meal prep with a delicious meatless main? Look no further than this Korean BBQ tempeh dish, which checks all the right boxes. The star of the show is crispy pan-fried tempeh crumbles smothered in a sweet and sticky BBQ sauce that’s impossible to resist. Serve it over warm rice accompanied by a refreshing citrus salad, and you’ll have a dinner that’s both satisfying and impressive. This plant-based meal is so packed with flavor that you won’t even notice the absence of meat.

Bibim Guksu (Korean Cold Noodle Salad)

Bibim Guksu (Korean Cold Noodle Salad)

Generally speaking, noodle lovers like myself often crave them daily. Even when the temperature rises and I’m not in the mood for a steaming bowl, this refreshing Korean noodle salad is the perfect solution. To prepare it, season your soba noodles with a bold and complex Korean chili dressing that combines spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors. Next, add an assortment of fresh, thinly sliced vegetables to suit your taste, and you’re ready to indulge in this delicious and revitalizing dish.

Spicy Korean Carrots – Morkovcha

Spicy Korean Carrots – Morkovcha

Packed with Asian flair and a hint of Russian charm, Morkovcha is the perfect fusion dish for adventurous foodies. This spicy Korean carrot recipe originates from Korean immigrants who settled in the Soviet Union, giving it a unique cultural background. The dish is often served alongside grilled meats or fish, but its zesty flavor pairs surprisingly well with pilafs and other rice-based dishes too.

Korean Style Seasoned Mung Bean Sprouts Salad

Korean Style Seasoned Mung Bean Sprouts Salad

Honored by its popularity in my household, the traditional Korean ‘bangchan’ is always a crowd-pleaser. It boasts a subtle yet inviting nutty aroma and an irrepressible crunch that leaves you wanting more. Enjoy it on its own as a standalone salad, or use it as a complement to other dishes like bibimbap for an added layer of flavor.

Apple Onion Celery Salad – Korean Style

Apple Onion Celery Salad – Korean Style

Delight your taste buds with a refreshing twist of flavors, as this apple onion celery salad offers a harmonious balance of creamy, tangy, and subtly sweet notes that will leave you wanting more. Its light and airy texture pairs beautifully with the bold flavors found in Korean barbecue, making it an ideal accompaniment for any meal. And the best part?

This recipe can be prepared in just 10 minutes, perfect for busy individuals who crave a quick yet satisfying solution to add some crunch and excitement to their dining experience.

Korean Potato Salad (Gamja Salad)

Korean Potato Salad (Gamja Salad)

Highlighting its widespread popularity, potato salad has become a staple side dish in many Korean barbecue establishments. Interestingly, it bears a striking resemblance to the classic American version, but with some notable variations that set it apart. A key component of this dish is its abundance of nutrient-rich ingredients such as apples, cucumber, potatoes, and carrots, making it an appealing option for health-conscious individuals.

You might also like these recipes

Leave a Comment