닭갈비 Dakgalbi
Chicken marinated in spicy chili paste, stir-fried with cabbage and rice cakes on a hot pan at the table.
Spice: Medium
Bokkeum (stir-fried)
멸치볶음 Myeolchibokkeum
Small dried anchovies stir-fried in a sweet soy glaze until crisp, served as a small side dish.
- Stir-fried Small Dried Anchovies
- Spice: Not spicy
- Contains seafood
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Small dried anchovies, soy sauce, rice syrup or sugar |
| How it's served | Piled in a small dish, set out cold or at room temperature with the other side dishes |
| Spice level | Not spicy — No chili heat. |
| Diet | Contains seafood — Fish, shellfish, fish sauce, salted seafood (jeotgal) or anchovy stock is a standard ingredient. |
| Allergens | Fish · Soy · Wheat · Sesame |
| Ask about | Peanuts, almonds or walnuts are often mixed in; some versions use chili paste. |
| On the menu | 멸치볶음 (Myeolchibokkeum) |
| Also called | myeolchi bokkeum · myulchi bokkeum · janmyeolchi bokkeum · stir-fried anchovies |
| Region | Nationwide |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Stir-fried Small Dried Anchovies
Pick up a small pinch
The anchovies are tiny and stick together in the glaze. Take a small pinch with chopsticks, or use your spoon.
Eat it with rice
Put a little on a spoonful of rice. The sweet, salty taste is meant to go with plain rice.
Ask for a refill
Side dishes are often refilled for free. Some restaurants have a self-serve side dish bar instead.
On the table
Order it as 멸치볶음. You rarely need to: it usually comes free as a side dish with a meal, and you can ask for more.
- On the menu: 멸치볶음
- Usually sold: Included with a meal, as a side dish
Similar dishes
어묵볶음 Eomukbokkeum
Thin strips of fish cake stir-fried with vegetables in a sweet soy sauce, served as a small side dish.
Spice: Not spicy
제육볶음 Jeyukbokkeum
Thin slices of pork stir-fried in a spicy chili paste sauce, eaten with rice or wrapped in lettuce.
Spice: Medium
Questions about Stir-fried Small Dried Anchovies
Is myeolchibokkeum vegetarian?
No. The dish is made of whole dried anchovies, so it contains seafood.
Do you eat the whole anchovy in myeolchibokkeum?
Yes. The fish are small, so they are usually eaten whole, head and all.
Are there nuts in myeolchibokkeum?
Often. Peanuts, almonds or walnuts are commonly mixed in, so ask the staff if you have a nut allergy.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 24, 2026