21 Gochujang Recipes to Spice Up Your Life (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with Gochujang paste? ›

No judgement here! Try it as a baste on chicken wings or pork ribs, or added to soup broths like in my Spicy Pork Miso Noodle Soup. Gochujang can also be used in marinades for meat dishes like Korean bulgogi, stirred into dipping sauces, or used to punch up stews.

This spicy paste is salty, savory and slightly sweet, and can be used in many ways including in soups, stews, marinades and sauces. Traditional Korean dishes that include gochujang are bibimbap, a mixed rice dish, tteokbokki, a spicy rice cake street food, and Jeyuk Bokkeum, a spicy marinated pork stir-fry.

You're likely to see gochujang cut with another ingredients, like sesame oil, crushed garlic, sugar, and/or soy sauce, any of which help to balance some of its intensity.

Just remember, a little goes a long way. It's best to start with a teaspoon of gochujang, and work your way up from there according to taste.

How to Store Gochujang. Once opened, gochujang should be stored in the refrigerator. Like miso, it has quite a long shelf life, as long as it hasn't dried out or changed in color. Should you find yourself with a lot of gochujang leftover, remember that it can be used up in lots of different ways.

It's safe to eat gochujang paste raw, but I don't recommend it. The flavor is very strong and is best when combined with other ingredients to make a pourable sauce.

Sure, gochujang has heat — depending on the brand, it can be extraordinarily spicy — but it also has a salty, almost meaty depth and a slight sweetness. In other words, it's not a one-note hot sauce that you add to a dish after the fact. If you want to see Korean chefs bristle, tout gochujang as the “next Sriracha.”

In its truest form, gochujang is sold as a thick paste, often in plastic tubs and glass jars, and ready for cooking. The kind labeled a sauce or condiment is the same paste, thinned out with other ingredients such as sugar and vinegar.

As of my last update in September 2021, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that eating gochujang sauce 2-4 times a week or consuming it with noodles can directly cause cancer. Gochujang is a traditional Korean spicy condiment made from red chili peppers, fermented soybeans, glutinous rice, and salt.

Risks and Side Effects

You should avoid gochujang if you are allergic or have a sensitivity to any of its ingredients. If you experience any symptoms like hives, itching or swelling after consumption, discontinue use immediately and consult with your doctor. The amount of capsaicin present is generally safe to consume.

What is a good substitute for gochujang? ›

The most authentic gochujang replacement combines miso paste and sriracha with a little pinch of sugar. If you try to just swap in another Asian sauce like sriracha or sambal oelek as a 1:1 gochujang substitute, your dish will be spicier and more acidic than intended. Hot sauces contain vinegar, and gochujang does not.

You can add spicy ingredients like Gochujang paste, red pepper/chili flakes, or hot sauce, and then mix it into your cooked noodles for a fiery kick. Just be aware of how it might change the texture of your ramen noodles. For instance, red pepper flakes or chilli powder won't usually change the textures of dishes.

If you aren't using it very often then it may be a good idea to wrap the box tightly in some clingfilm (plastic wrap) to help prevent the paste from drying out. If there is no date on the box then we would suggest using the paste within 3 months of opening, provided it is refrigerated.

Fermented soybeans in Gochujang makes it a great source of probiotics that can boost healthy gut microbiomes. Probiotics are live bacteria that are beneficial for digestion and overall gut health. However, it's important to note that Gochujang also contains chili peppers, which can be spicy.

Sure, gochujang has heat — depending on the brand, it can be extraordinarily spicy — but it also has a salty, almost meaty depth and a slight sweetness. In other words, it's not a one-note hot sauce that you add to a dish after the fact. If you want to see Korean chefs bristle, tout gochujang as the “next Sriracha.”

Marinades and Sauces: Gochujang is a key ingredient in traditional Korean dishes like bibimbap, tteokbokki, and bulgogi. Its rich and complex flavor adds a depth of taste to meats, seafood, and vegetables.

According to a Pusan National University study, gochujang can be conducive to weight loss. The study aimed at treating fat cells with gochujang extract. The results showed a decrease in fat accumulation. This food can also help reduce the risk of contracting coronary heart disease due to its low cholesterol.