What Is Gochujang — How To Use Gochujang

Gochujang is popular a Korean chili paste that can boost the flavor and umami in nearly any dish. If you're curious about what it tastes like and the best ways to use it, read on. To learn more about this versatile ingredient, we asked a two chefs/culinary instructors to unload their gochujang knowledge: Edward Moon from Monroe College's Culinary Institute of New York and Neath Pal from Johnson & Wales University.

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What Is Gochujang?Where Does It Come From Originally?How To Use GochujangWhat Does Gochujang Taste Like?Where To Buy GochujangStorageGochujang Recipes

What Is Gochujang?

It's essentially Korean chili paste. "Gochujang is used in a lot of major Korean cuisine just like miso paste is with Japanese cuisine," said Chef Neath Pal. It's made of chili powder, glutinous rice powder, and fermented soybeans, and often used in traditional Korean dishes, salads, soups, and marinades.

Where Does It Come From Originally?

Gochujang comes from Korea. According to the BBC, it can be dated back to the 16th century. At first, it was often used as a medicinal ingredient to help with digestive problems. Over time gochujang become a popular cooking ingredient, and by the late 19th century it was considered a staple in Korea.

How To Use Gochujang

Gochujang is used to flavor many types of dishes, according to Moon. "The magic comes out when it gets blended and mixed in with all the other meats and vegetables," he said. "It's not a standout, it's a backbone," he said. "It's what makes you go wow, this is really good."

Moon uses gochujang to prepare traditional Korean dishes like soups, and in dressings and dipping sauces. "I'll use it to add that umami, that sweetness and richness and the heat to a lot of soups and stews," he said. "I also turn it into that dipping sauce by adding other ingredients like sesame oil, sesame seeds, and a little but of vinegar."

What Does Gochujang Taste Like?

Gochujang has an element of umami, which means savoriness in Japanese. Umami is one of the five basic tastes, which also include salty, sweet, bitter, and sour, and is often an attribute of fermented foods like gochujang.

“There’s this sort of meaty, sweet, heat," Moon said. “It’s not like a Tabasco, where it just all of a sudden blasts you with heat,” he added. “It ends up being a more subtle buildup of heat.”

Where To Buy Gochujang

Gochujang can be found at Korean markets, but it can also be purchased at retailers like Amazon and Whole Foods.

Storage

Always read the storage instructions on the package. Most containers of gochujang require refrigeration after opening.

Gochujang Recipes