How do I use Korean red pepper paste?
John Castro
Published Feb 19, 2026
How do I use Korean red pepper paste?
Stir into soups, stews and sauces to add a slow-building heat that is similar to the effect of chipotles en adobo. It makes an excellent marinade for grilled or roasted meats and seafood. Mix with toasted sesame oil and drizzle over roasted veggies.
Is red pepper paste the same as gochujang?
Gochujang is a red chile paste that also contains glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, salt, and sometimes sweeteners. It’s a thick, sticky condiment that’s spicy and very concentrated and pungent in flavor.
What is red pepper paste in Korean?
Gochujang (/ˈkɔːtʃuːdʒæŋ/, from Korean: 고추장; gochu-jang, [ko. dʑaŋ]) or red chili paste is a savory, sweet, and spicy fermented condiment popular in Korean cooking. It is made from gochu-garu (chili powder), glutinous rice, meju (fermented soybean) powder, yeotgireum (barley malt powder), and salt.
What can I substitute for Korean red pepper paste?
Thai Chili Paste On the downside is its flavor. It has a reasonably strong garlic taste that is simply not present in gochujang. As an emergency backup, though, it will fill in fine due to its heat and sweet flavor, and its thick texture will add a lot to your dish.
Is Korean red pepper paste healthy?
Research has found that eating spicy food made with gochujang, which contains the compound capsaicin, may lower body weight, speed metabolism, help burn fat and suppress appetite. Capsaicin has been shown to increase the breakdown of fat by inhibiting certain enzymes linked to fat cell formation.
Can I use gochujang instead of Gochugaru for kimchi?
Using gochujang instead of gochugaru in your recipe will give it a saltier flavor. It works well as a seasoning for stews, sauces, and kimchi. Just keep a light hand on the salt before adding gochujang to your food. Remember, gochujang has a paste form.
Can I substitute gochugaru with gochujang?
For those who prefer salty flavors over sweet ones, gochujang is the best substitute. Store it in the refrigerator for use in other Korean recipes. Use ½ teaspoon of gochujang for every one teaspoon of gochugaru. Taste and add more if required.
What can I substitute for gochugaru?
Top 7 Gochugaru Substitutes
- Chipotle Powder. Chipotle powder is the result of smoking the Jalapeno chilies while removing the moisture inside them.
- Cayenne Pepper.
- Chile Pasilla.
- Paprika.
- Gochujang.
- Chile De Arbol.
- Aleppo Pepper Powder.
What is Ssamjang used for?
Ssamjang (쌈장, Korean spicy dipping sauce) is a thick and spicy paste used as a dipping sauce when you make a wrap. This typically involves Korean grilled BBQ on a lettuce, perilla or steamed cabbage leaf. You simply dab a small amount of sauce with a pair of chopsticks on to a lettuce leaf or piece of meat.
Can I substitute Ssamjang for gochujang?
If you’re confused about the difference between ssamjang and gochujang, you are not alone, and once you learn more about how they’re made, it is easy to understand why. Cuisine Vault explains that both Korean barbecue sauces are made with similar ingredients and can be used interchangeably.
Do you need to refrigerate Gochujang paste?
Like miso, another fermented product, gochujang needs to be sealed and refrigerated after opening the package.
Is Korean Gochujang unhealthy?
Gochujang is considered a diet-friendly superfood because it’s rich in protein, antioxidants and vitamins, but low in fat and calorie content.
How do you make red pepper paste?
Directions Heat olive oil in a frying pan and fry the peppers until they have browned all over. Put them in a plastic bag to sweat for 5 minutes and then peel removing the seeds and add to a small blender or multi-chopper. Chop semi-dried tomatoes and add to blender. Add garlic powder, onion powder, vinegar and a little olive oil.
Are there any substitutes for red pepper paste?
Possible substitutes for red pepper flakes include cayenne pepper, Chile de Arbol, chile paste or a small red chile. Because all of these different types of chiles vary in heat from red pepper flakes, it is important to adjust the amount added to a recipe accordingly.
What is Korean spicy sauce?
Korean Spicy Dipping Sauce. This spicy dipping sauce is a tasty accompaniment to Korean dumplings, scallion pancakes, mung bean pancakes, or tempura. A twist on the basic soy sauce and vinegar version, it adds a lot or a little spice to your meal. Have it on hand by making it in large batches and storing it in the refrigerator for a couple weeks.
What is a Korean red pepper?
Gochugaru chili flakes are Korean red chili peppers that are dried in the sun. The dried peppers are then chopped to a size between flakes and powder. It’s often seen at Korean restaurants and is used as a condiment for nearly every food. Use this chile flake for Korean-style dishes, homemade kimchi , or for flavoring tofu and eggs.