--- title: "Gochujang: what it means in cooking — Tiny Plates" description: "Gochujang is a thick Korean paste of chili, rice and fermented soybeans. It is sweet, spicy and savory, and it seasons stews, marinades and sauces." url: "https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/gochujang" --- # Gochujang Gochujang is a thick Korean paste of chili, rice and fermented soybeans. It is sweet, spicy and savory, and it seasons stews, marinades and sauces. Also called Korean chili paste, Korean red pepper paste, Kochujang. Gochujang is a Korean paste made from chili powder, glutinous rice, powdered fermented soybeans and salt, often sweetened with syrup. It is thick, sticky and deep red. It tastes spicy, sweet and savory all at once, with the slight funk of [fermentation](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/fermentation). Heat levels vary, and most packs show a scale from mild to very hot. ## How to use it Gochujang is too thick and strong to use on its own, so it is usually mixed into a sauce first. * **Sauce for bibimbap:** 2 tablespoons gochujang, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon sugar or honey, 1 tablespoon water and 1 teaspoon rice vinegar. * **[Marinade](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/marinate):** Mix with soy sauce, garlic, ginger and a little sugar for pork, chicken or tofu. The sugar burns easily, so grill over medium heat. * **Stews and soups:** Stir a spoonful into kimchi stew, rice cake dishes (_tteokbokki_) or a tomato sauce for heat and depth. * **Quick dips:** Stir a little into mayonnaise or yogurt. ## Substitutes There is no exact swap. The closest is red [miso](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/miso) mixed with chili flakes and a little sugar or honey, about 2 parts miso to 1 part chili. [Sambal oelek](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/sambal-oelek) or another chili paste gives heat but not the sweet, fermented depth, so add a little miso and sugar with it. ## How to store it After opening, keep it in the fridge with the lid on tight. It keeps for many months. It may darken on top over time, which is normal. Throw it out if you see mold. ## Common mistakes * Adding a big spoonful without tasting. Brands differ a lot in heat and salt. * Frying it on high heat in a dry pan. The sugar scorches. Add it with liquid or over medium heat. ## In recipes Many brands contain wheat, so gochujang is often not [gluten-free](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/gluten-free). Look for one labeled as such. It also contains soybeans, which matters for a [soy allergy](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/soy-allergy). Do not confuse it with _gochugaru_, which is Korean chili flakes, or _doenjang_, which is soybean paste with no chili. ## Recipes that use it 7 recipes from the sites we collect. * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Air-Fryer-Gochujang-Salmon-Rice-Bowls-5.jpg)Korean Salmon Rice Bowlwww.skinnytaste.com · 21 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/korean-salmon-rice-bowl/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Gochujang-Glazed-Salmon-4.jpg)Gochujang-Glazed Salmonwww.skinnytaste.com · 10 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/gochujang-glazed-salmon/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Korean-Inspired-Salmon-Tacos-with-Spicy-Slaw-4.jpg)Korean-Inspired Salmon Tacos with Spicy Slawwww.skinnytaste.com · 140 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/korean-inspired-salmon-tacos/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Spicy-Gochujang-Tofu-Bowls-7.jpg)Spicy Gochujang Tofu Bowls (Vegan, Gluten-Free)www.skinnytaste.com · 25 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/spicy-gochujang-tofu-bowl/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Asian-Turkey-Meatballs-with-Gochujang-Glaze-1-5.jpg)Korean-Inspired Turkey Gochujang Meatballswww.skinnytaste.com · 35 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/asian-turkey-meatballs-with-gochujang-glaze/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Gochujang-Honey-Glazed-Shrimp-Skewers-2.jpg)Gochujang-Honey Glazed Shrimp Skewerswww.skinnytaste.com · 16 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/gochujang-honey-glazed-shrimp-skewers/) * [![](https://pinchofyum.com/tachyon/Instant-Pot-Spicy-Short-Rib-Noodle-Soup-Square.jpg?fit=225%2C225)Instant Pot Spicy Short Rib Noodle Souppinchofyum.com · 50 min](https://pinchofyum.com/instant-pot-spicy-short-rib-noodle-soup) ## Related terms * [MisoMiso is a salty, savory Japanese paste of fermented soybeans and koji. Learn the types, how to make miso soup and why you should never boil it.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/miso) * [Sambal oelekSambal oelek is a simple Indonesian chili paste of crushed red chilies, salt and vinegar. Clean, hot and bright, it seasons stir-fries and sauces.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/sambal-oelek) * [FermentationFermentation is when yeasts or bacteria break down sugars and change food. It raises bread, sours sauerkraut and yogurt, and makes wine and miso.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/fermentation) * [MarinateTo marinate is to soak food in a seasoned liquid of acid, oil, salt and aromatics before cooking. Here are safe times and why longer is not always better.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/marinate) * [Gluten-freeGluten-free on a label means under 20 parts per million of gluten in the EU, UK and US. Here is what that covers and how to cook gluten-free at home.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/gluten-free) * [Soy allergyA soy allergy is a reaction to proteins in soybeans. Soy turns up in soy sauce, tofu, miso and many processed foods, and is labeled in the EU and US.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/soy-allergy) [More in pantry ingredients](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/category/pantry-ingredients)[Every term from A to Z](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary)