The Gochujang Guide: How to Use Korean Red Chilli Paste

Welcome to the tasty world of gochujang! Gochujang is a fermented chilli paste, which has been an essential component of Korean cuisine for centuries, captivating taste buds with its unique blend of heat, sweetness, and umami.

Whether you're a seasoned food enthusiast or a curious beginner, our guide will walk you through all you need to know about using this beloved Korean condiment, helping you unlock the secrets of this versatile and mouthwatering ingredient.

What is Gochujang?

Gochujang is a staple ingredient in Korean cuisine. It is a fermented Korean chilli pastemade from red chilli peppers, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt. It has a thick consistency and a deep, complex flavour profile that is both spicy and slightly sweet, with a hint of umami.

Is Gochujang Spicy?

Yes, gochujang is spicy. The level of spiciness can vary depending on the brand and the specific recipe, but in general, it has a moderately hot and robust chilli flavour.

As gochujang is quite spicy, if you're new to it, start with a small amount and gradually increase to suit your taste.

What Does Gochujang Taste Like?

Gochujang has a unique taste. It is spicy and slightly sweet with a deep umami flavour. It has a complex and fermented profile that combines the heat from the chilli peppers with the richness of the fermented soybeans and the subtle sweetness from the glutinous rice.

Gochujang can vary in sweetness and saltiness between different brands. Taste your gochujang and adjust the other seasonings in your recipe accordingly.

How to Use Gochujang?

Gochujang can be used in a variety of ways in Korean cuisine. It is often used as a base for sauces, marinades, and soups. It can also be used as a condiment or dipping sauce for dishes like bibimbap, tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), and Korean fried chicken. You can also use it to season vegetables, tofu, or tempeh before grilling or roasting.

Gochujang as a Condiment

Gochujang can be used as a condiment to add flavour and spice to various dishes. It pairs well with grilled meats, stir-fries, and stews. You can spread it on sandwiches or mix it into mayonnaise or other sauces for a spicy kick.

Gochujang in Marinades

Gochujang is an excellent ingredient for marinades. Its spicy and savoury flavours can infuse meats, seafood, and vegetables, enhancing their taste. Mix it with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and other desired seasonings to create a flavourful marinade.

Gochujang in Soups and Stews

Gochujang is commonly used in Korean soups, stews and bowl dishes like kimchi jjigae and tteokbokki. Its depth of flavour adds a delightful complexity to the dishes.

Gochujang in Dipping Sauces

Combine gochujang with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and other ingredients to create a delicious dipping sauce for dumplings, vegetables, or grilled meats.

Don't be afraid to experiment with gochujang in your recipes. It can add a unique and delicious flavour to a wide range of dishes. We’ve shared some ideas for alternative uses and recipes for gochujang on our blog:

Popular Dishes Featuring Gochujang

Gochujang is used widely in Korean cuisine, but here are a few popular dishes that are known for using this red chilli paste:

• Bibimbap - a Korean rice bowl topped with a variety of vegetables, meat, and a fried egg, with gochujang served as a condiment.
• Dak-galbi - spicy stir-fried chicken with vegetables, often served with gochujang-based dipping sauce.
• Budae-jjigae - a spicy Korean stew that combines various ingredients such as instant noodles, Spam, hot dogs, kimchi, and gochujang.
• Gochujang pork belly - marinated pork belly grilled and glazed with a gochujang-based sauce.
• Kimchi Jjigae - a stew made with kimchi and other ingredients, such as pork or diced tofu, with scallions and onions.

How Long Does Gochujang Last?

Gochujang has a long shelf life due to its fermentation process. Unopened gochujang can last for two years when stored in a cool, dark place like a pantry. Once opened, it should be stored in the refrigerator and can typically last for a year. Signs that your gochujang has spoiled include an off smell, mould, and discoloured or watery texture.

Is Gochujang Vegan?

Traditionally, gochujang is vegan-friendly as it doesn't contain any animal-derived ingredients. However, it's always important to check the specific brand or product label to ensure there are no additional additives or ingredients that may not align with a vegan diet.

Where to Buy Gochujang?

You can find a range of gochujang and red hot pepper paste products here at Oriental Mart. We have tubs of gochujang in a variety of sizes, so you can buy enough to meet the needs of your recipes and the frequency with which you cook with gochujang. Alternatively, you can buy gochujang in a squeezy tube, which can be easier for creating dips or drizzling a bit of heat onto your food.

Header Image: "Korean gochujang" by Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, used under the Korea Open Government License Type I (via Wikimedia Commons)