Korean Spinach Banchan (Sigeumchi Namul) Recipe & Video
This is a classic Korean banchan (side dish) that we eat with almost everything! This Korean spinach is also used in our kimbap, bibimbap, and japchae. It’s a great way to enjoy spinach!
The Health Benefits of Spinach
Spinach is a nutrient-dense vegetable that offers numerous health benefits. Here, we explore its nutritional profile and the specific benefits it provides.
Spinach is a nutrient-rich vegetable packed with vitamins A, C, K, and iron. It supports eye health by protecting against age-related damage, strengthens bones through calcium absorption, and promotes heart health by improving blood flow and reducing inflammation. Its high fiber content aids digestion, while vitamins A and C enhance skin health and boost immunity. Many reasons to eat spinach!
Ingredients You’ll Need
For Prepare Spinach
- 1 lb Korean spinach or regular large spinach
- 3 tbsp sea salt
Classic Korean Spinach
- 1/2 lb prepared Korean spinach or regular large spinach
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 clove of garlic, minced (approximately 1 tsp)
- 1 green onion, chopped (approximately 1 tbsp)
Spicy Korean Spinach
- 1/2 lb prepared Korean spinach or regular large spinach
- 1 tsp gochujang, Korean red pepper paste
- 1/2 tsp rice vinegar
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 clove of garlic, minced (approximately 1 tsp)
- 1 green onion, chopped (approximately 1 tbsp)
Instructions
Blanch the Spinach:
In a large pot, bring about 10 to 12 cups of water to boil. Add salt and spinach. Blanch for 30 seconds and drain. Rinse under running cold water until just cool enough to handle.
Prepare the Spinach:
Gently squeeze spinach between your palms to remove excess water, being careful not to squeeze too much. Cut the spinach if it is too long. Now, spinach is ready to be dressed up with delicious Korean seasoning!
Season the Spinach:
Both classic and spicy recipes can be made using the same directions. Add prepared spinach to a mixing bowl; gently mix everything together using your hand until well combined.
Top with extra sesame seeds as you desire! Enjoy!
Sigeumchi Namul (Korean Spinach)
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 2 1x
Ingredients
For Prepare Spinach
- 1 lb Korean spinach or regular large spinach
- 3 tbsp sea salt
Classic Korean Spinach
- 1/2 lb prepared Korean spinach or regular large spinach
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 clove of garlic, minced (approximately 1 tsp)
- 1 green onion, chopped (approximately 1 tbsp)
Spicy Korean Spinach
- 1/2 lb prepared Korean spinach or regular large spinach
- 1 tsp gochujang, Korean red pepper paste
- 1/2 tsp rice vinegar
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 clove of garlic, minced (approximately 1 tsp)
- 1 green onion, chopped (approximately 1 tbsp)
Instructions
- Blanch the Spinach:
In a large pot, bring about 10 to 12 cups of water to boil. Add salt and spinach. Blanch for 30 seconds and drain. Rinse under running cold water until just cool enough to handle. - Prepare the Spinach:
Gently squeeze spinach between your palms to remove excess water, being careful not to squeeze too much. Cut the spinach if it is too long. Now, spinach is ready to be dressed up with delicious Korean seasoning! - Season the Spinach:
Both classic and spicy recipes can be made using the same directions. Add prepared spinach to a mixing bowl; gently mix everything together using your hand until well combined. Top with extra sesame seeds, if desired! Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
13 comments
Hi, I just found your blog and I´m very happy with it :).
I would like to know, for how long can I keep this kind of dishes? Like the spinach and other vegetables. It´s to have an idea of how much I could do at once.
Than you!
Hi Susana! These Korean banchan(side dishes) life time is very different depending on what seasoning and type of vegetables. Most of the time, it is good about 5 to 7 days. If you want to keep it longer, omit sesame oil and sesame seeds, because they make foods go bad faster. So add them when you serving/eating the dish on the table. Hope this helped!
Thanks!! it helps!
Annyeonghaseyo Ms.Seonkyoung!
Jeonun Annie imnida. I am a fan of your blog and I wished to make this Korean Spinach. All the ingredients seem to be available in the Qatar Market except that I am having difficulty to find this Korean Red Pepper Paste. Can I use an ordinary Red Pepper Paste? Also, can I use ordinary vinegar or I’ll have to stick with the Rice Vinegar?
Kamsahamnida!
Hello Annie, 🙂 You’r Korean is pretty good!
I don’t know what you meant by ordinary red pepper paste and ordinary vinegar. However, you can use any vinegar you have, it should work fine.
Annyeong Seonkyoungshi!
Aside from following you, I am also a kdrama fan that’s why lol. Anyways thank you for your prompt reply. I was thinking of buying such red pepper paste coming from Thailand because when I go to the Korean sections of the grocery store, most of the items are not available lol. Similarly, my sister and I love doing the bibimbap and japchae which we learned by following your blog.
(I tried self studying Korean language so basically I know how to write your alphabets and some basic expressions).
Kamsahamnida!
hahaha I’m a fan of Korean dramas too. Lately I finished watching 6 flying dragons. It was awesome. To give you a hint, sometimes when I cook out and I don’t have gochujang or gochugaru, I use sriracha. It is thiner and less sweet, but it’s something I can fix while I’m cooking. 🙂 I’m so happy your sister and you loved it! I made bibimbap for my step daughter about 2 weeks a go, she really loved it too, Can’t wait to make Japchae for her one day. 🙂
Learning different language is not easy, but sure it is fun! Hope you keep up the great work with Korean!
Kotean red pepper paste Aka gochujang is a lot different from other red pepper pastes. Try walmart or Amazon.
I love this dish SO MUCH! I once made it with baby spinach since that’s what i had and it was not a good idea, got much too slippery and slimy texture, so i always make sure to get the mature big spinach now. I found crushed toasted sesame seeds at the korean grocery store and love them so much i add a lot more here 🙂
Made the classic for the family tonight. We are loving it.
Glad you guys loved it!
안녕하세요 선경 씨. 이 반찬을 만들어보고 싶은데 쌀 식초가 없어요. 그것 없이도 이 반찬을 만들 수 있을까요?
It was delicious! Thank you!