I'm confused by how Korean meals work?

Banchan (반찬) are the small side dishes that come automatically with almost every Korean meal, and they're absolutely free and refillable. Just ask the staff for more by saying 반찬 더 주세요 (banchan deo juseyo, more banchan please) and they'll bring extras at no charge. The number of banchan varies from 3 or 4 at casual spots to 12+ at traditional restaurants. Common ones include kimchi, pickled radish, seasoned spinach, bean sprouts, anchovy stir-fry, and braised potatoes.

A typical Korean meal structure has rice (밥) and soup (국) as the base, a main protein dish like grilled meat, stew, or fish, and the rotating banchan to share. Everyone shares everything family-style except your individual rice and soup bowl. Use the metal chopsticks for picking up sides and the spoon for rice and soup (don't lift the rice bowl off the table like in Japanese culture, it's considered bad manners here). Wait for the eldest to start eating first if you're with elders. Don't stick chopsticks upright in rice (funeral symbolism). Portions look small individually but with all the banchan, you'll be full quickly. The total bill is usually surprisingly cheap because banchan is included. Some upscale restaurants charge for premium banchan like seafood pancakes, but they'll always tell you in advance. Soups like seolleongtang or galbitang are individually portioned, while kalguksu and budae jjigae often come in shared pots.