Cooked namul
콩나물무침 Kongnamulmuchim
Blanched soybean sprouts seasoned with sesame oil, garlic and salt, often with chili flakes, served cold as a side dish.
Spice: Mild
Sukchae (cooked namul)
시금치나물 Sigeumchinamul
A small side dish of blanched spinach seasoned with sesame oil, garlic and salt, served with rice.
- Spinach Salad
- Spice: Not spicy
- Vegetarian option
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Spinach, sesame oil, garlic |
| How it's served | Soft green spinach in a small dish, served cool with the other side dishes |
| Spice level | Not spicy — No chili heat. |
| Diet | Vegetarian option — The dish is meat-free, or a meat-free version is commonly served. Still check the broth and sauces. |
| Allergens | Sesame |
| Ask about | Some versions are seasoned with soy sauce (soy, wheat) or soybean paste instead of salt. |
| On the menu | 시금치나물 (Sigeumchinamul) |
| Also called | sigeumchi namul · sigeumchi muchim · spinach namul · seasoned spinach |
| Region | Nationwide |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Spinach Salad
Take some with chopsticks
Sigeumchinamul comes in a small dish for the table to share. Lift a small bunch onto your rice or into your mouth.
Pair it with rice or the main dish
Eat it between bites of rice, soup or grilled meat. Its plain, nutty taste balances spicy dishes.
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 시금치나물. You rarely need to: it usually comes free as a side dish with a meal, and you can ask for more.
- On the menu: 시금치나물
- Usually sold: Included with a meal, as a side dish
Similar dishes
Questions about Spinach Salad
Is sigeumchinamul vegetarian?
Usually yes. The usual version is spinach seasoned with sesame oil, garlic and salt. If you avoid all animal products, ask the staff about the seasoning.
What is in sigeumchinamul?
Blanched spinach, sesame oil and garlic. It is usually seasoned with salt and often topped with sesame seeds.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 24, 2026