Hot pepper flakes. You can choose either mild or hot. This package says “less spicy” which means mild hot pepper flakes.
“Maewoon gochu gaaroo” means very hot spicy hotpepper flakes and “Deol Maewoon gochu gaaroo” means less spicy hot pepper flakes.
Where to buy Korean ingredients:
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Korean cooking ingredients:
- Abalone
- Apple vinegar
- Asian chives
- Bamboo shoots
- Barley
- Barley malt powder
- Black bean paste
- Black sesame seeds
- Black sweet rice
- Buckwheat noodles
- Butternut squash
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- Fish cakes
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- Hot pepper flakes
- Hot pepper paste
- Jja jjang myun noodles
- Jujubes
- Kelp
- Korean perilla leaves
- Korean radish
- Laver
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- mung bean jelly starch powder
- Mung beans
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- Pickled radish
- Pine needles
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- Seafood medley
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- Young summer radish
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i like your recipe very much. i will try to make it. God bless you.. Baxia
Hi!! Just made some turnip kimchi and it came out tasty (but of course, not like my momma’s!). Unfortunately, there was an “off” taste, though. Could my pepper flakes have gone bad? I can’t read Korean, so I couldn’t find an expiration date on the bag. The bag was 2 years old, though. :o) Love Love Love your website and I refer all my friends to it via Twitter and Facebook!
hi!!:D i finish the kimchi && it looking great but it not that spicy at all, so i was wondering if i can wait till it fermenting and then add more hot pepper powder to it (the one that u use) cuz i try this different one and it not that good
If you like to add more hot pepper flakes, you will have to add it before your kimchi starts fermenting.
Hello Maangchi. im havnig alot of trouble finding the hot red pepper flakes.. so was wandering if you know what the “pepper” is called what fruit or vegetable the pepper flakes are made from ? if i knew that i could make some my self instead of using endless time on looking for the pepper flakes in shops and online stores because iv been allmost all over the place now and still cant find it >_<
thanks : )
I’m sorry to hear that you have trouble with finding hot pepper flakes that I use.
You can get it at a Korean grocery store. Where are you living? Have you checked the “where do you buy Korean ingredients” section on the forum on my website?
http://www.maangchi.com/talk/topic/where-do-you-buy-your-korean-ingredients
hey maangchi thanks for your reply yes i have been on that thread but no luck : ( i live in denmark.. do you know what i maybe could use as an alternative for the pepper flakes ?
Maangchi: I hope I’m not asking a question already answered. Red pepper powder and hot pepper powder. Is it the same or different? Looks the same to me, but I’m not sure if there is a difference.
As long as you see the products at a Korean grocery store, I’m sure they are the same.
hi~
I wonder where can i find the hot pepper flakes?
Do they only sell them in korean market?
Yes, I always buy my hot pepper flakes at a Korean grocery store.
If you have difficulty finding a Korean store, check this section, please.
http://www.maangchi.com/talk/topic/where-do-you-buy-your-korean-ingredients
Hi Maangchi,
I was wondering if you have any suggestions on storing hot pepper flakes? Is it better to store it in the pantry or in the fridge? I’m not Korean so, I don’t use it all the time. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Good question! I always store it in the freezer.
Hello Maangchi!
Thank you for teaching us recipes!
I tried to make kimchi, but it wen´t wrong, coz I used pepper power instead of flackes T.T
Ohh.. and it´s not easy to wash the cabbage.. if we just pour water, it won´t come clean =S
Maangchi, have you watched korean programm called “Family Outing?” they make dinner and breakfast, and few recipes look good as yours
They made potato pancake, which I tried to made, and it turn delicious!
Maybe you can find some inspiration watching the program!!
Thank you once again!
Hi Maangchi,
I’m making “Cold Spicy Celery” from the Epicurious.com website. One ingredient (the one I don’t have!) is “1/2 teaspoon Korean chile flakes.” Is the taste of Korean chile flakes different from that of the red pepper flakes you buy in an American supermarket? I’d hate to have to buy (and search for) the item as written and then have so much left over! I live in NYC so it’s not hard to find, if absolutely necessary. Please advise!
I think korean chili flakes in the recipe is the same as the hotpepper flakes that I use. Go to a Korean grocery store and get hot pepper flakes (gochu garu in Korean)
hello Maangchi, I love your website. Uhm… I’m not sure if I can find the hot pepper flakes, so I wanted to ask if it is possible to make it myself
i went out and bought crused red pepper at the korean grocery market today..is that the same thing as red pepper flakes?
yes, I think you got right hot pepper flakes as long as you bought it at a Korean grocery store. I sometimes find translation is a little awkward.
You are owesome!!!!
Hi!
I tried making “oisobagi” today, but instead i used chilli powder
and it turned out REALLY spicy.
is chilli powder really different than the korean hot pepper flakes?
or did I use too much powder?
I’ve never used chili powder, so I can’t give you right answer.
However, I’ve recently heard that chili powder is different from hot pepper flakes. Yeah, if you can’t get hot pepper flakes, use less amount of chili powder next time you make your kimchi then.
Yes that’s right. I put less than half a cup of chili powder in my kim chi and it was alredy quite spicy! While it takes like 4 cups of korean hot pepper flakes. I thought it would be my personal taste (koreans like spicy!), but I think it’s because of the ingredient.
My kimchi seems to taste pretty good so I think that it’s not really a problem. But maybe I will get in the neighbourhood of the Korean store in Rotterdam next week so I can buy the real thing.
hi maangchi,
is there a substitution for hot pepper powder? i read somwhere that cayenne pepper can be used. would that work, or would it just ruin the dish?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cayenne_pepper
It looks ok for me!
Hi Maangchi – should I use red pepper with salt or without? I saw that some came mixed with salt.
I don’t understand your question. Hot pepper flakes are just hot peppers ground. It is not supposed to be salty.
Hello maangchi, i love your site and i try the egg side dishes. now im planning to cook Ginseng chicken soup. thank you… and God Bless.
Thank you for your update! I hope you read this before making your ginseng chicken soup. If you are not accustomed to ginseng taste, I suggest using one root for each serving. 2 may be too strong for you.
mingrae0527,
Even if you use it lesser, the flavor of hot pepper flakes will not be changed.
if i happen to have bought the spicy ones what can i do to make the dish (let’s say cucumber kimchi) less spicy? if i use amount lesser would the flavor change? thank you
June,
Why not! Try it out! : )
Happy New Year!
HI Maangchi
Many thanks for your recipe. I am officially addicted to kimchi. I am thinking of making it but I cannot find hot pepper powder. I have have crushed chilli flakes. Can I use them instead?
Indri,
I think it’ll be ok unless the red chili is too spicy.
Hi Maangchi,
Instead of hot pepper flakes, can I substitute it with dried red chili? I stayed in Indonesia, we have two types of red chili, one is smaller and thinner, another is longer ones, but not as big as in western countries.
Sarah,
You can use either hot pepper flakes or hot pepper powder. I use hot pepper flakes.
Hi, haha I’m like stalking you today, all over your website ><.
What’s the difference between the flakes and powder? Besides the texture, I mean. I asked my mom and she said that if you use the powder in soups, it makes it more grainy tasting or something? But I think it makes the soup more opaque and stronger tasting than if you use flakes…? (Hopefully this question made sense).
Hi! I want to make your soon doo boo recipe. When I went to the Korean grocery store, I saw two types – the chilli flakes and the more finely ground chilli powder.
I forgot which one you use, so I told them I want to make soon doo boo. They said I should buy the chilli powder. Now I see that you’re using the flakes and not the powder. Are they the same? Or should I go back and buy the flakes?
Thank you!!
Rhonda,
oh, really? I don’t think they add MSG in hotpepper flakes. No need to make it tasty.
Don’t worry about it and use it in your kimchi. It will be ok. I’m sensitive to MSG, too, but no problem for using hot pepper flakes.
Hi Maangchi! I just got back from the Korean store, where I had bought a whole bunch of ingredients, mainly for kimchi, along with it hot pepper flakes.
In looking at the different brands, I did notice most of them add ’salt’ to the pepper flakes, including the brand in your photo. I did find one that did not and chose that, because sometimes the word ’salt’ is used in place of MSG, which I’m sensitive to. Have you noticed this, and if so, will that change the taste of my paste?
Thank you!!!
Agasuka,
Hi,there! Long time! : )
Yes, of course you can use the photo of hot pepper flakes. I would appreciate it if you linked to me.
Be sure to tell your blog readers that there are more different brand names for hot pepper flakes.
Hello Maangchi,
Is is ok if I use this gochugaru picture on my blog please?
can i use “ground red pepper” instead??
Anonymous,
I’m not sure the hot pepper flakes you mention is good for kimchi or not. You should ask this question on the forum on my website.
Anayong haseyo Maangchi!!
i love spicy food but i have only one Asian supermaket in my city where i can find every korean product but there is only Indian hot pepper flakes
can i use that is korean food and indian are similar?
Lucinda,
I keep it in the freezer after opening. How long do I keep it? You can keep it in the freezer for months as long as you seal it tightly before putting it in the freezer.
Hi Maangchi,
How do you store the hot pepper flakes after you open the bag? How long can you keep it for? Thanks!
Mari,
Yes, it’s the same. I think chili powder is different from hot pepper flakes or powder. Ask the question to others in forum.
maaangchi,question i bought gochugaro in flake form. is the powdered form called the same?
so from all the question above, the recipes that call for chili powder can i substitute the chili flakes?
do i add less of it or the same amount as the recipe with the chili powder? thanks :)
Anonymous,
Yes, you can use hot pepper flakes for Yukgaejang. Don’t forget to mix it with oil before adding it to the soup. Actually you are supposed to make “hotpepper oil” by heating the mixture of vegetable oil and hot pepper flakes or powder in a pan. It’s called “gochu kierum” in Korean, but I skipped the process and mixed oil and hot pepper flakes to make it simple.
hey maangchi!
as i was watching your video for yuk gae jang, i noticed that you used hot pepper powder to mix in with the vegetables. i have hot pepper flakes, can i use that? are powder and flakes relatively the same for the soup or would i have to get the hot pepper powder?
Thanks. =)
thanks for the quick reply! i’ll try to make my first kimchi and i will let you know…but i hope i can find the perfect ingredients here in UAE soon..
nesrin,
I don’t know what the hot chili powder tastes like. Why don’t you use it then if you can’t find any Korean grocery store there.
using hot chili powder will make your kimchi taste like a spicy cabbage taco, says my husband. I did not realize there was a difference between red pepper and chili podwer. So I used chili powder, thus the mexican kimchi was born.
hello maangchi…i cant find hot pepper flakes here in abu dhabi, uae. can i use the hot chilli powder instead in making kimchi?
raddie,
Even though it’s expensive there, you should use hot pepper flakes. It’s your authentic kimchi! I have never used paprika in kimchi.
maangchii…hot pepper flakes are damn expensive in germany…what do you think if i use dried paprika flakes instead??
Anonymous,
Yes, you can use hot pepper powder (dried chily pepper powder)
Check out my written recipe before making it.
Thanks,
Hi Maangchi,
Can i just use chili pepper powder in this recipe? is it taste same as using hot pepper flakes? this Soon du bu jjigae look delicious..
Hi again, Maangchi,
No, the mistake was mine. You didn’t say “powder” in the video, I just wasn’t listening closely. Thank you for your responses! :)
Lucy
Lucy,
I’m sorry I did not realize I said “hot pepper powder” in the video. Anyway, as you say, even if I used hot pepper powder, it wouldn’t be matter, which means you can use either hot pepper flakes or powder for any korean dish. Not much difference!
Hi, Maangchi,
I was surprised to hear that you use pepper flakes, not powder, for kimchi, because even though you said so in your kimchi recipe, I wasn’t sure you meant it. I never noticed flakes in the store, so I bought powder. I have used some to make ddeokbogi, which was yummy. Can I still use red pepper powder to make kimchi, or would that be a mistake?
Thanks for your answer on the Asian Chives thread, too.
Lucy
Sandy,
Yes, you are right. The hot pepper powder you saw is usually used to make hot pepper paste or hot sauce, and hot pepper flakes are for usual korean food such as kimchi making.
I use hot pepper flakes. My favorite brand names are “tae yang cho” or “Wang pyo”
Are the pepper flakes multipurpose or are some types better for specific foods? I’ve noticed that in the hot pepper section of our local market, there are some bags that have very finely chopped (almost a powder-like consistency) peppers, some rough cut, others medium, etc… Also, the colors vary, with some being a bright red and others almost a brick or red-brown color.
Hi,
Most hotpepper flakes I use in Korean dishes is sold at a Korean grocery store. It’s different from the coarse hot pepper flakes served at Pizza Hut.
Hi maangchi! i loved your videos and i have a question.
does hot pepper flakes the same as the pizza hut flakes the give you in a small packet as the cheese ones? Please HELP MI!!!
dianna,
Thank you for liking my recipes.
For soon du bu, I would not use hot pepper paste because hot pepper paste has its own strong flavor that may ruin the taste of soondubu.
hi Maangchi,
love the site and all the recipes! my friends and i are all addicted to your blog. i was wondering, can i substitute hot pepper paste for hot pepper flakes in your soon du bu jigae recipe? and if so, how much should i use? thank you!!
Hi,
You can use any pot. I sometimes use my stainless pot.
The Soup looks delicious i will try cooking it over the weekends. Just 1 question, do i need to use the same pot as you used in your video or can i use the any other pot? Please advice.
Thanks
anonymous,
Brand name does not matter actually.
Hi,
Does brand matters? Do we need to get a particular brand of pepper in order to achieve that special taste?
Sure, why not?
Spicy hot pepper flakes:
매운맛 고춧가루
Less spicy hot pepper flakes:
덜매운맛 고춧가루
Hello,
Thank you for the pictures! Do you think you could write out the korean characters for very spicy and less spicy for these hot pepper flakes? When I try to pronounce them, no one understands me so if you could write them out, i could bring it with me to the market and try to look for the ones that match.
Thank you and you rock!!