Bonchon Edamame
Price & Calories 2026
Steamed soybeans sprinkled with salt. The lightest, healthiest, and most affordable starter on the Bonchon menu — 188 calories, high protein, and naturally vegan. Perfect while you wait for your order.
Simple, Healthy, and Perfectly Placed
Bonchon Edamame is steamed young soybeans served in the pod, lightly salted. Nothing more, nothing less. It is the simplest item on the entire Bonchon menu and also one of the most smart orders you can make — especially if you are ordering for a group and want something on the table immediately while the kitchen prepares the chicken.
Edamame is a Japanese and Korean table staple that has been served as a snack alongside drinks and meals for generations. At Bonchon, it fits naturally into the Korean-fusion menu as the lightest possible starter option — 188 calories, 16 grams of protein, completely plant-based, and free of any sauces, frying, or heavy preparation. It is the anti-Bulgogi Fries: where those are 1,007 calories and loaded, edamame is clean, simple, and health-forward.
At $6.25, edamame is also the most affordable starter at Bonchon — $2.74 less than the next cheapest option (Shrimp Shumai at $8.99). It is the go-to choice for anyone watching calories, avoiding meat, or simply wanting something to snack on while their main order is being prepared.
Price & Nutritional Summary
* Prices may vary slightly by location. GF = Gluten Free (no added sauces). Calories are per standard serving.
Why It Makes Sense at Bonchon
Edamame takes 2–3 minutes to prepare. Order it first and it arrives while you are still looking at the menu. Bonchon chicken takes 15–20 minutes — edamame fills that gap perfectly.
At 188 calories, edamame is the lightest starter on the Bonchon menu. The next lightest is Shrimp Shumai at 280 calories. If you are watching your intake, edamame is the only starter that barely registers.
Edamame is the only completely vegan and gluten-free starter at Bonchon. If you are vegetarian, vegan, or avoiding gluten, this is the only starter you can eat without any concerns about animal products or wheat.
Ordering a heavy starter when hungry often leads to over-ordering chicken. Edamame takes the edge off the hunger without being heavy — so when the chicken arrives, you enjoy it more and waste less.
At $6.25, Edamame is the cheapest starter at Bonchon. For context: Shrimp Shumai is $8.99, Takoyaki is $9.99, Potstickers are $12.49. If you are on a budget or just want something light, Edamame gives you the best value per calorie of any item in the starters section.
Full Starters Comparison
Why Edamame Is Surprisingly Nutritious
Edamame is not just low in calories — it is one of the most nutritionally complete plant foods available. It is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids. For a starter at a fried chicken restaurant, the nutritional profile is remarkable.
Edamame FAQ
Bonchon Edamame costs $6.25 per order. It is the most affordable starter on the Bonchon menu — $2.74 less than the next cheapest option (Shrimp Shumai at $8.99). Prices may vary slightly by location.
Bonchon Edamame contains 188 calories per order. It is the lowest calorie starter on the Bonchon menu by a significant margin — 92 calories less than the next lightest option (Shrimp Shumai at 280 calories).
Yes — Bonchon Edamame is 100% vegan and naturally gluten-free. It contains only steamed young soybeans and sea salt. It is the only starter at Bonchon that is completely free of animal products, dairy, eggs, and wheat. Note: edamame does contain soy, so it is not suitable for soy allergies.
Bonchon Edamame contains approximately 16 grams of protein per order. Edamame is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids — which is rare for a plant-based food. It provides roughly the same protein as two large eggs.
Hold the pod with both hands and squeeze the beans directly into your mouth — do not eat the pod itself. The outer shell is tough and not meant to be eaten. The beans inside are soft, slightly sweet, and lightly salty. Discard the empty pods into the provided bowl.
Yes — edamame is widely considered one of the healthiest snack foods available. It is high in complete protein (16g), dietary fiber (8g), folate, vitamin K, and antioxidants, while being low in calories (188) and containing no added sugar, no sauce, and no frying. At Bonchon specifically, it is the healthiest item on the entire starters menu.
Bonchon Edamame contains soy — it is literally soybeans. It does not contain wheat, dairy, eggs, shellfish, nuts, or any other common allergens. It is safe for most dietary restrictions but not suitable for soy allergies. Always inform your server if you have any food allergies.
Best Pairings
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