Korean cooking ingredients:

Hot pepper paste


gochujang

hot pepper paste

Posted Monday, February 25th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Tagged: , , , , ,

93 Comments:

  1. Anni

    Hi :) im just wondering how to make the spicy pork that i see in many of the triange kimbap. Do you use hot pepper paste with it? I couldnt find any websites on how to make it.. hehe thanks

    Posted December 10, 2009 at 10:26 pm | #
  2. Van

    Hi Maangchi,
    Do you have to keep gochujang in the fridge once you open it? and for doenjang? and jjajang?
    Thanks,
    Van

    Posted November 30, 2009 at 8:13 pm | #
  3. Nunoo

    Hi Maangchi,

    I’m Nunoo from Malaysia. I would like to know how do you make Chilli Paste. At my place its very hard to buy korean Chilli paste.

    Anyway, keep on posting a great korean recipes!

    Thanks,
    Nunoo

    :)

    Posted November 22, 2009 at 8:08 am | #
    • Maangchi New York City My profile page
      joined August 6, 2008

      Someday I will show you how to make gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste). Thank you!

      Posted November 30, 2009 at 8:20 pm | #
  4. Keoni

    Maangchi,

    I wanted to see if you know how to make gochujang from scratch? I would like to make it myself rather than having to buy it. My Imo always made her own and it was even better than store bought gochujang. She actually made a lot of her ingredients from scratch. She came from old country and grew up on a farm with no power. I have learned something things from her but since she is gone I am learning more from you. :-)I need to actually buy your books too.

    Thank you very much,
    진심으로 감사합니다

    Posted November 16, 2009 at 8:17 pm | #
  5. Jean

    Hi, I live i Singapore, I can’t find a place which sells the hot pepper paste. I really love your recies and I tried doing the kimbap and it’s so successful! Thanks!

    Posted November 8, 2009 at 5:50 am | #
    • Jasmine

      Hi Jean! im from Singapore too! and i just bought my first hot pepper paste today! you can get them at SOL korean grocery mart..they have branches at cathay cineleisure B1, tampines 1 mall and novena square.

      They are sold in boxes similar to those shown in the pics. S$9 for a box of 500g. They also have korean rice cakes and red pepper powder and kimchi!

      Go get it soon!

      Posted November 9, 2009 at 11:26 am | #
  6. Nathalie

    Hi Maangchi.
    I really love your blog.
    Korean food is one of my favorite,
    could you please tell me a good brand for gochujang and jiganjang.
    Also,do you guys usually use jiganjang on stir fried?

    Many thanks.
    best wishes,

    Nathalie

    Posted October 30, 2009 at 9:13 pm | #
  7. Michelle

    do you refrigerate the paster after you open it or can it stay outside? Thank you (^_^)

    Posted October 30, 2009 at 1:59 pm | #
  8. Arrhythmia

    I live in The Netherlands and it’s very hard to find hot pepper paste. Is there a substitute for it? I want to make dduk bok gee, but can I use a different kind of paste? For example, is it okay if I use cayenne pepper paste instead of gochujang?

    Posted October 14, 2009 at 1:44 am | #
  9. rose

    Hi,
    I accidentally bought hot bean paste instead of hot pepper paste.
    can i still make Hot and Spicy rice cake?

    Posted October 2, 2009 at 11:47 pm | #
  10. Sandy

    Hi, a while ago I bought some hot red pepper paste but the verson i got is roaster and its not as liquidy i was wondering if theres a difference, if i have to mix it with anything or not?

    Posted September 12, 2009 at 4:57 pm | #
  11. rv65

    Taeyangcho gochujang is a good brand. Thats the brand I have. It’s made by another company but it’s red in color.

    Posted September 9, 2009 at 2:35 am | #
  12. Edward

    Hi, I hope you can help me. I am looking for wheat free Korean products. My son is allergic to foods with wheat gluten All the gochujang I see on the shelf in my market in New York contain wheat. Is there such a store or web site you can suggest?
    Edward

    Posted September 8, 2009 at 8:31 pm | #
  13. jaqie from nj

    Hey Maangchi! Love your recipes!

    I was wondering if you have ever made your own gochujang because I noticed in all the ones that I buy it has corn syrup and other bad stuff. Been trying to stay away from high fructose corn syrups these days which is a shame because I eat gochujang a lot!

    Anyway, keep up the good work!

    Thanks,
    Jaqie

    Posted August 28, 2009 at 4:49 pm | #
    • Maangchi New York City My profile page
      joined August 6, 2008

      I’m copying my answer from another reader’s question and pasting it here.

      Sorry, I can’t show you how to make hot pepper paste and bean paste for some reasons. First of all I don’t have tools such as a huge earthen pot and other ingredients here in New York, and I don’t have space for the pot and don’t have time to check on it everyday for 1 month. To make bean paste, it takes months and months.
      However, I will keep it in mind.

      Check this out
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doenjang

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gochujang

      Posted August 28, 2009 at 4:57 pm | #
    • Anonymous

      JAQIE FROM NJ,

      I’m also from New Jersey! The Korean brand O’Food makes an Organic Sunchang Gochujang. Ingredients: Organic Wheat, Water, Organic Corn Syrup, Organic Red Pepper Powder, Salt, Contains 2% or less of Yeast, and Barley cultured with Aspergillus Oryzae (Koji). The Organic Sunchang Gochujang does have corn syrup. However, my research shows that it is High Fructose Corn Syrup from which you should stay away. Corn syrup in very very small doses is not detrimental to your health. I went through my kitchen and the only products with corn syrup were ketchup and salad dressing, both of which I eat very little. Half a tablespoon of gochujang in one cup of bimbimbap won’t hurt! The one great thing about O’Food Organic Sunchang Gochujang is that, unlike most other brands, it does not have MSG and other harmful additives. That is why I purchased this brand. The one downside is that it is more expensive. The 900 mg of Organic Sunchang Gochujang is $12.99. 1000 mg of gochujang in other brands (that contain MSG and additives) is $6.99. It’s twice the price but it’s well worth it. I don’t know where in NJ you live but this is where I bought it:

      Hanahreum
      518-14 Old Post Road
      Edison, NJ 08817
      (732) 248 – 8586

      Just next door is a well known Korean restaurant.

      Also 10 minutes away is a restaurant called Woojeon (http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/25/nyregion/restaurants-where-to-go-for-heat.html?pagewanted=all).

      Hanahreum is a chain for supermarkets, there are 5 locations in NJ – Edison, Englewood, Little Ferry, Ridgewood, and Cherry Hill (http://snoh.wordpress.com/2007/06/25/han-ah-reum-part-1/)

      I hope this helps!

      Posted September 14, 2009 at 12:24 pm | #
      • Jean

        Hi, I hope you can see my question. Do you mind send me the picture of the organic Sunchang Gochujang? I can’t find organic ones in H-mart. My address is maojn at hotmail . com

        Thank you very much!

        Posted October 13, 2009 at 7:43 pm | #
  14. Eva

    Maangchi,
    I am planning to prepare bimbimbap and went to grocery to buy the red pepper paste or gochuyang. However, when I inquired from store personnel, they suggested I buy the ottogi bibimjang. Is this better than the gochuyang?

    Just want to thank you for all your recipes and videos on youtube. I will now be cooking more Korean dishes. First one I tried was the yummy chicken wings with sweet sauce.

    Keep doing what you’re doing. You’re making a lot of people happy cooking and eating.

    Posted August 21, 2009 at 6:29 pm | #
    • Maangchi New York City My profile page
      joined August 6, 2008

      Thank you, Eva!
      I would buy hot pepper paste instead of “bibimjang”. You can make your own bibimjang with hotpepper paste! Besides, hot pepper paste is used in so many different Korean dishes.

      Posted August 21, 2009 at 6:44 pm | #
  15. Christine

    Hi Maangchi. I was wondering. Is hot pepper paste the same as red pepper paste? Some tubs say hot pepper and others say red pepper.

    Posted August 19, 2009 at 6:29 pm | #
    • Maangchi New York City My profile page
      joined August 6, 2008

      Yes, they are the same. English translation of Korean food is sometimes confusing.

      Posted August 20, 2009 at 11:08 am | #
  16. jessica

    hi maangchi!
    can you do a recipe for chungukjang? :)
    thanks for everything!

    Posted July 12, 2009 at 11:47 pm | #
  17. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    yes, this hot pepper paste is used for bibimbap. Thanks!

    Posted July 7, 2009 at 6:32 am | #
  18. joyce

    Maagchi yr blog really good. i learn a lot of things here.. many tks
    tis red pepper paste i can use in bimbimbap?

    Posted July 6, 2009 at 12:40 am | #
  19. lind

    hi Maangchi,

    i want to make the bibibamp, is it fine if i use the hot pepper paste fermented?

    thank you

    Posted June 30, 2009 at 7:39 pm | #
  20. Kiara

    how do you eat this … stuff? I don’t know any dish that uses this, since I’m not korean.

    Posted June 30, 2009 at 4:45 pm | #
  21. Hilz

    Hi , this is rather urgent? can u tell me what are the ingredients for the second gochujang picture that is posted up here? thankyou so much! i love your blog

    Posted May 20, 2009 at 6:36 pm | #
  22. Joon

    Love gochujang!! Can use it for marinating,rice cake,soup etc! yumyum~~ Thank u for the recipes n great blog n video blog u hv. :)

    frm singapore

    Posted April 15, 2009 at 3:07 am | #
  23. Anonymous

    Hi, I was wondering if we could use hot chili powder or hot chili sauce?

    Posted April 8, 2009 at 6:47 pm | #
  24. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    ann,
    Yes, I think you could use the chili paste, too.

    Posted April 1, 2009 at 5:34 pm | #
    • nadia

      hi maangchi!!! im a fan of korean dramas and it’s food…
      im from singapore and about the chili paste, will it still taste the same?? i hope u can make a video of dukboki with chili paste and compare the taste with the dukboki made with hot pepper paste…very much appreciated :)

      Posted January 6, 2010 at 1:40 am | #
  25. ann

    Hello Maangchi

    I lived in singapore and also a muslim who is very intrested in korean dishes i was wondering if they do sell the hot pepper paste which are halal or i could use the normal asian chili paste

    Do reply me thank you =)

    Posted April 1, 2009 at 8:56 am | #
    • Mrs Mac

      Wouldn’t a completely-vegetarian red pepper paste automatically be halal?

      Failing that, your friend could make some at home.

      Posted September 30, 2009 at 5:17 pm | #
      • foood!!

        not if it contains alcohol :P

        Posted November 24, 2009 at 2:52 pm | #
      • Anonymous

        hi just to make sure so the taeyangcho haechandeul gochujang brand is completely vegetarian? and non-alcoholic?

        Posted January 3, 2010 at 7:17 am | #
      • Nashyy

        hi i replied earlier asking if it was vegetarian and non-alcoholic. i hope you can just reply me via email cos i kinda need an urgent answer since i already bought it and my friends are planning to make ddukbokki tomorrow. many thanks!

        Posted January 3, 2010 at 7:18 am | #
  26. Daniel S.

    Hey Maangchi, I didn’t see the recipe on how to make Dokboki. Do you have one? Thanks

    Posted February 4, 2009 at 6:06 pm | #
  27. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    Lise
    My favorite brand name is haechandeul. You can discuss this topic on the forum on my website. I’m curious about it too. http://www.maangchi.com/talk/forum/general-discussion

    Posted February 1, 2009 at 4:40 pm | #
  28. Lise

    What are the two brands in the images? I’m trying to find a good/the best gochujang brand that I can find, but my local Korean mart(s) have a dozen+ brands, and only a couple have any English labels (so I tend to go by ingredients, and have been using Sempio brand lately). Basically, I settled on trying to find Sunchang brand (since I’ve seen that recommended a lot) but I don’t know what the label looks like. Clearly I’m not Korean ;)

    Thanks a lot for your site; super helpful and fun to read!

    Posted February 1, 2009 at 4:09 pm | #
  29. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    Wendy,
    yes, as long as you have gochujang, you can mix any kinds of vegetable dish to make bibimbap. I sometimes use only gochujang, chopped kimchi, warm rice, and sesame oil. That’s very delicious!

    Posted January 18, 2009 at 8:08 am | #
  30. Wendy

    Hi Maangchi, I went to the asian store to get my first box of gochujang yesterday. Today I’m going to make bibimbap for the very first time. I don’t have all the ingredients like you mention here, but I guess with this dish you can flexibly subsitute the vegetables, right?
    Wish me luck.

    Posted January 18, 2009 at 6:01 am | #
    • Maangchi New York City My profile page
      joined August 6, 2008

      yes, you can mix your rice with any of your favorite ingredients to make bibimbap! Of course I wish you good luck with making delicious bibimbap!

      Posted January 3, 2010 at 1:10 pm | #
  31. Nishu

    ii m sure its gochujang it says
    Sunchang Gochujang (Hot Pepper Paste) except it everything is written on Hangul i am not able to read that

    Posted January 5, 2009 at 1:26 am | #
  32. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    Nishu,
    Is it said “gochujang”? Strange! The color of gochujang (hot pepper paste)should be red. Check the label on the box again.

    Posted January 4, 2009 at 11:28 am | #
  33. Nishu

    hey maangtchi i bought box of (SUNCHANG GOCHUJANG) its
    texture is black not red can you tell is it different?

    Posted January 4, 2009 at 4:22 am | #
  34. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    emily,
    I use either sunchang or haechandeul.

    Posted December 21, 2008 at 11:37 am | #
  35. emily

    hey maangchi today i brought gochujang the box sayx sunchang gochujang is it the same which you use?

    Posted December 21, 2008 at 9:17 am | #
  36. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    Fang,

    gochujang (hot pepper paste) is used for bibimbap.

    Doenjang (soy bean paste) is not spicy. If you like to make spicy doenjangjjigae, add some hot pepper paste to your jjigae.

    The sauce you had for broccoli sounds like “chojang”
    check out my hwedupbap recipe. I posted the recipe for chojang.
    http://www.maangchi.com/recipe/hwedupbap

    The sauce for bbp pork must be ssamjang. Check out my grilled beef recipe video. I’m demonstrating how to eat it. And also I posted ssamjang recipe there.
    http://www.maangchi.com/recipe/grilled-beef

    thank you very much!

    Posted December 6, 2008 at 4:35 pm | #
  37. Fang

    Hi Maangchi, i have so many questions for you.it’s all about the sauce.first, is gochujang for most of the spicy dishes, is it the sauce for pibimbap too??? is doenjang spicy, i want to make doenjang chi gae, and what other sauce i have to put besides doejang? when i was in Korea, i ate the steam broclies with a dipping sauce,it is little spicy/sweet, what kind of sauce is it? also there is a sauce usually come with the side dieshes when i eat the BBQ pork, i don’t know if it’s the same.
    thanks so much, i love your videos! hope you understand what i’m talking about

    Posted December 6, 2008 at 6:20 am | #
  38. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    Hot pepper paste and soybean paste are used in many Korean dishes, you can find them by searching my website. A lot of people ask me where they can use these ingredients, I think I will make some links from ingredients to recipes soon.

    Thanks for your interest in my recipes!

    Posted November 11, 2008 at 8:30 pm | #
  39. Stephanie

    Hi!! I must say firstly that I absolutely love all that you are sharing on your website! I have recently bought a box of red papper paste and soy bean paste because i went to a korean grocery store and just had to buy it since it is so common in korean cooking and i love korean food! I made kimchi chigae a few days ago but was wondering what other dishes i can use these two pastes for? (sorry if you’ve already mentioned it, as i am new to your site)
    THANKS!

    Posted November 11, 2008 at 12:18 pm | #
  40. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    Judy,
    I don’t know about the fermented chili paste. This Korean hot pepper paste is also fermented. You can ask the question on the forum on my website here. Someone else may give you good answer.

    Posted October 12, 2008 at 8:23 am | #
  41. Judy

    Um.. does it matter if I bought fermented chili paste? i couldnt afford the regular one.. and i bought a cheaper one thats fermented…. is it ok to use that in the kimchi soup?

    Posted October 11, 2008 at 11:40 pm | #
  42. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    I think they use red bell pepper instead of red chilly pepper for those who can’t tolerate hot spicy taste.

    Posted September 25, 2008 at 8:11 am | #
  43. Molly

    Hi! Sometimes I have side dishes in Korean restaurants which I expect to be spicy because they have chili flakes or chili paste in them, but they aren’t spicy at all. Are there different types of chili paste and flakes that aren’t hot? Or are they using red pepper flakes instead?

    Posted September 25, 2008 at 3:27 am | #
  44. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    Laura,
    Why don’t you ask this question in Forum on my website? I am interested in learning about it from a food expert. I always keep my hot pepper paste in the refrigerator after opening it.

    Posted September 19, 2008 at 7:49 am | #
  45. Laura

    I had Gochujang before and because I use it rarely, when I put it in refrigerator it became hard and I couldn’t eat it anymore. It okay if I don’t store it in refrigerator?

    Posted September 19, 2008 at 3:45 am | #
  46. Anonymous

    hi.how are you. can i make“Hot pepper paste (gochujang)” and how to make? please tell me.

    Posted September 16, 2008 at 9:05 am | #
  47. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    lisa,
    Of course it’s edible. But next time you make your kimchi, use hot pepper flakes.
    Send me the photo of your next kimchi so that I won’t be worried about your kimchi making. : ) I will post your kimchi photo on my website.

    Posted September 7, 2008 at 12:31 pm | #
  48. lisa

    I have already used the gochujang instead of red pepper powder in my kimchi making.is that edible?

    Posted September 7, 2008 at 11:23 am | #
  49. Noir

    Hi Maangchi,

    I’m a malaysia. Love your blog very much. Its very helpful in my korean cooking. And i would say hot pepper paste is the best ingredient in Korean cooking. Way up. Do blog more about Korean cooking.

    Posted August 20, 2008 at 8:07 am | #
  50. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    Tami,
    I don’t think so, Tami. Chili paste is different from hot pepper paste. Hot pepper paste is sold at a Korean grocery store.

    Posted August 15, 2008 at 8:25 am | #
  51. Tami

    Hi hi..i’m from Malaysia. I wanna ask if i can replace this with chilli paste? Will it taste the same? OMG I’m gonna make kimchi soup tmr using ur recipe!! Wish me luck!

    Posted August 14, 2008 at 11:07 am | #
  52. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    Luthien
    oh, it’s very nice of you! I hope Sue is reading this! Thank you very much!

    Posted August 13, 2008 at 9:06 pm | #
  53. Luthien

    Dear Maangchi
    This is to help Sue who posted her message on July 16th, 2008 at 2:40 am.

    In Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, there is a Korean town where one can find lots of Korean food products. Directions to get there can be found here: http://k-popped.com/2008/02/k-popped-visits-koreatown-malaysia.html

    Or Sue can email me at iguana565@yahoo.com for further questions.

    Thanks
    Luthien

    Posted August 13, 2008 at 9:00 pm | #
  54. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    luke,
    Sorry, I can’t show you how to make hot pepper paste and bean paste for some reasons. First of all I don’t have tools such as a huge earthen pot and other ingredients here in New York, and I don’t have space for the pot and don’t have time to check on it everyday for 1 month. To make bean paste, it takes months and months.
    However, I will keep it in mind.

    Check this out
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doenjang

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gochujang

    Posted July 22, 2008 at 6:23 pm | #
  55. Anonymous

    hi!
    my name is luke, im so happy to see your website, its very informative and delicious could you please post a video on how to make gochujang and doenjang paste thanks and happy cooking! take care! :)

    Posted July 22, 2008 at 8:46 am | #
    • Anonymous

      This is an old request but, if you go to Madhur Jaffrey’s Far Eastern Cookery she has a recipe for kochu chang or red pepper paste as it’s referred to.

      Posted June 15, 2009 at 8:22 pm | #
  56. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    Sue,
    I’m sorry to hear that you can’t find a korean grocery near you. If you are living in a big city, I’m sure you will find it though. I know many koreans are living in Malaysia. How about hot pepper flakes? I think it’s also not available if hot pepper paste is not available there. All I can say is that you should check out some Korean communities and ask them about this ingredient. You must feel frustrated and I’m sorry I can’t give you any good solution at the moment.

    Posted July 16, 2008 at 1:52 pm | #
  57. Anonymous

    I’m in Malaysia, I don’t think hot pepper paste is available here, what’s the ingredient inside, can I make the paste by myself? Any other solutions?

    Regards,
    Sue

    Posted July 16, 2008 at 2:40 am | #
  58. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    sourapril,
    Yes, you can keep hot pepper paste for months until it’s gone in the refrigerator.

    Posted June 10, 2008 at 6:22 pm | #
  59. sourapril

    do you have to refrigerate it after you open the box? how long does it keep? thanks!

    Posted June 10, 2008 at 2:27 pm | #
  60. Anonymous

    Thanks, I checked out the recipe again just now.

    ruth

    Posted April 29, 2008 at 4:38 pm | #
  61. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    Ruth,
    Yes, the green container must be mixture of hotpepper paste and bean paste. Did you see my grilled beef video? I think I made it there. Check out the video, and you will see how I eat it and make it. Oh, it’s called “ssam jang”. Of course making your own ssam jang is better and its taste is much better than the green container.

    Posted April 29, 2008 at 5:25 am | #
  62. Anonymous

    Hi Maangchi, this red pepper paste package is red and the soybean paste is brown. I bought the green one and understand it’s a mix of the two paste, am I correct? Is it true that it’s unnecessary to buy this green one as one can just mix the above two paste together? I actually don’t know how to use it or what to cook it with, will u teach me please.

    ruth

    Posted April 29, 2008 at 1:20 am | #
  63. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    Hi, anonymous,
    Yes, you can add hot pepper paste in doenjang jjigae. But don’t forget to use bean paste (doen jang).

    Posted April 23, 2008 at 6:05 am | #
  64. Anonymous

    Hi maangchi,
    can i use the hot pepper paste to cook the spicy tofu soup? Will it taste the same?

    Posted April 23, 2008 at 4:04 am | #
  65. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    hi,confused, : )
    Yes, hot pepper flakes and hot pepper paste are different.
    You need hot pepper flakes or powder to make kimchi. NO hot pepper paste.
    Check it out my ingredient blog to find out the difference between those 2 ingredients.

    Posted March 5, 2008 at 5:15 pm | #
  66. Anonymous

    Hello! Is the hot pepper paste the same as the powder you use in your Kimchi video? Or are those two different ingredients?

    Posted March 5, 2008 at 2:18 pm | #
  67. Maangchi New York City My profile page
    joined August 6, 2008

    Hi,
    You could use other brands.
    Thanks, you are the first commenter here. : ) I made
    this ingredient blog for those who have no idea what the ingredients look like. I went to my favorite grocery store and took all these pictures.

    Posted March 1, 2008 at 7:38 am | #
  68. Anonymous

    Wow. Thanks for all of the pictures. Does it have to be these brands or could they be other brands?

    Posted March 1, 2008 at 12:56 am | #

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