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Artwork for The Side Dish

The Side Dish

The Side Dish
Korean-Americans
Friendship
Social Media
Travel Experiences
Los Angeles
Korea
Music
Improv
Skincare
Acne
Cultural Identity
Dating Culture
Covid-19 Impact On Restaurants
Nepotism
Jing Fong
Drinking Culture
Covid-19
K-Beauty
Social Media Influence
Acting Careers

The main course is friendship ;) Recorded at Bestville Studios in South Korea. Instagram: @_thesidedish

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes118Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Side Dish

Latest Episodes

The owner of @hmmmbrand blesses the podcast with her GenZ spirit, sharing (nightmare) stories from her film years at USC, working on Season 1 of Beef, launching her clothing store in Itaewon, writing/illustrating books, and much more. We end the epis... more

How does a homeschooled farm kid become a professor of linguistics? Perhaps it’s the live-action-role-playing. The dungeon mastering, the hippie parenting. Or, it’s because Bazil Manietta has, by their own admission, eaten a hundred rattlesnakes and ... more

Tamara jumps on the mic to talk about being a youth pastor at a Korean church in Pittsburgh, her hatred of Singles Inferno, baby monkeys that make her cry, and much more. 

02/19/26

Our resident Gen-Z friends Bran and Tyler drop by the studio to talk about their new sketch comedy project, swap slang words, and take (another) Millennial pop quiz. Other topics include: serving in the Korean Air Force, why Gen Z has no hope for the... more

As a “multi-instrumentalist”, Nicky wears many hats. She dances; she sings; she composes; and now, she pods! Tune into our in-depth conversation spanning her upbringing in the Philippines, how to write a musical, and her feelings on AI-generated art.... more

Today's episode is dedicated to Season 5 of Singles Inferno. But mostly, it's dedicated to Mina Sue. 

01/31/26

This episode was two years in the making, but we finally did it! Mariam Ibrahim graces the podcast to talk about acting with @getinthe.van, her journalism career, and fantasizing about gay hockey players. Other topics include: grotesque AI influencer... more

As our resident young person, Branson Taylor jumps on the mic to talk about acting, creativity, and the origins of “lowkenuinely”—among other Gen-Z slang. The second half consists of Millennial pop culture quiz, where we descend into long-winded expl... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Katie Lee
Founder of Hmm Brand, designer and illustrator
Hmm Brand
Episode: Hmmm (Katie Lee)
Bazil Manietti
Friend of the hosts; linguistics professor in Korea with a background in theater and RPGs
Linguistics professor, Korea
Episode: The Bazilisk
Tamara Blank
Friend of Aaron from Improv, youth pastor at a Korean church in Pittsburgh
Korean United Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh
Episode: White Girl in the Korean Church
Bran Taylor
Recent high school graduate and creative comedian.
Episode: My Orange Oppa
Tyler Yoon
Recent high school graduate and aspiring comedian.
Episode: My Orange Oppa
Sue Minhan
Special guest who shared her experiences.
Episode: The Case for Choi Mina Sue
Mariam Ibrahim
A theater performer and journalist with experience in improv and acting.
Get in the Van Productions
Episode: Reheated Rivalries (Mariam)
Branson Taylor
Aspiring actor and improviser
Episode: High School Musical: The Play
James Chung
Recurring guest
Episode: Christmas Fruitcake

Hosts

Aaron Shin
Host of The Side Dish Podcast
Jay Lee
Co-host of The Side Dish Podcast

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 50 ratings
  • As good as the main dish

    Glad this podcast came across my FYP on Instagram. Especially with some other Asian podcasts I listen to ending last year. It’s nice to hear from people who are around the same age as myself. I really enjoy the different perspectives and experiences each of the hosts and guests have!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kaku O’bannon
    United States2 months ago
  • What happens when third culture kids grow up?

    The Side Dish Podcast offers a fresh perspective into the lives of former and current third culture kids (TCKs) navigating adulthood in Korea. Far from the usual narratives of identity crises or cultural adaptation, this podcast features hosts and guests who are confidently settled in their bicultural identities, living in Korea with deep-rooted American influences.

    The hosts dive into a lifestyle steeped in the dynamic, multicultural atmosphere of Itaewon, Seoul. They bring listeners along for... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NewYork887
    South Koreaa year ago
  • Always a fun listen

    This is my favorite podcast about life in Korea. It’s great to hear about people and places I’m familiar with on the show!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SM236
    South Koreaa year ago
  • It’s just like having friends

    Listening to The Side Dish is just like having a cool group of friends who like to hang out and joke around. Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Da_maximus
    United States3 years ago
  • Perfect to listen to during the commute

    Always light and fun topics

    The length is perfect to listen during my commute to and from work.

    Glad you guys are back for season 2!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    uncreativemonkey
    United States3 years ago
  • So dank

    The pod rips! I’m a skater, so I would know!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    shmaron
    United States3 years ago
  • I love this podcast <3

    I would highly recommend (and have been recommending) this podcast to everyone! It will make you think, make you curious, and definitely will make you laugh. I have been on walks by myself while listening to the podcast and have absolutely been laughing out loud like a crazy person. I love that all of the podcast members have different perspectives and are able to share them in a non-judgmental space. Everyone seems really encouraging and uplifting of each other, even if they’re challenging an o... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lalabird26
    United States5 years ago
  • Obsessed!

    Such a hilarious and insightful podcast. It makes me want to hang with my friends and talk about meaningful things. Also Seline is the best ever!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    melissajennife
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

- Some episodes are noted for light, entertaining takes on personal and social topics, making it a good commute/listening option.
- The show's humor and cultural insight resonate especially with third culture kids and bicultural audiences.
- Listeners appreciate diverse guest backgrounds and conversational energy that feels like chatting with friends.
- Appealing for the authenticity and relatability of the hosts and guests, with a warm, friendly vibe.
- Overall, reviews highlight engaging dynamics between hosts and guests and a welcoming community feel.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#74
South Korea/Comedy

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Airbear (Aaron Choe)
Q: Did you ever play an instrument growing up?
I used to play in some bands, but I played like more like percussion and like typical Asian kid.
Airbear (Aaron Choe)
Q: How's married life so far?
It's awesome. I didn't realize being married was this cool.
I Survived a Brain Tumor (Robert Jung)
Q: All right, so what's next, man? Like plug your shit, bro. Our platform is huge, so.
I am writing the One Man show. We're going to do friends and family shows soon.
I Survived a Brain Tumor (Robert Jung)
Q: So after the surgery, do you feel like your emotions kind of equalize, like you sort of leveled out?
I was still very, very angry after the surgery.
I Survived a Brain Tumor (Robert Jung)
Q: Did you find like a group of other patients who are going through the same thing to help you?
Sadly, no. The only thing I could imagine was like in the movie Fight Club, they have the groups.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Side Dish

What is The Side Dish about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A lighthearted yet thoughtful conversation focused on friendship, culture, and creative living in Korea and beyond. Episodes thread through themes like bicultural identity, navigating Korean culture as expatriates or children of immigrants, and the challenges and joys of pursuing art, comedy, and community work. With a rotating lineup of guests—from young comedians and actors to musicians and theater artists—the show blends personal stories, humor, and cultural observations to explore what it means to belong across borders. Noteworthy aspects include a strong emphasis on community, improvisational energy, and a candid, oftentimes playful take on identity, dating, parenting, and daily life in a multicultural context, which can be especially ... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Side Dish?

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How many listeners does The Side Dish get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Side Dish?

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How many subscribers and views does The Side Dish have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Side Dish has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

How many episodes of The Side Dish are there?

The Side Dish launched 5 years ago and published 118 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Side Dish?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Side Dish?

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What guests have appeared on The Side Dish?

Recent guests on The Side Dish include:

1. Katie Lee
2. Bazil Manietti
3. Tamara Blank
4. Bran Taylor
5. Tyler Yoon
6. Sue Minhan
7. Mariam Ibrahim
8. Branson Taylor

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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