Bought a tub of Gochujang and don’t know where to start? Try these easy Gochujang Recipes that highlight all that spicy, umami-rich, slightly sweet flavor!
Introduction
Everyone seems to be loving Gochujang these days. The Korean Chili Paste is spicy, slightly sweet, and full of rich umami flavor.
If you don’t know where to start, try these low effort, no intimidation meals. They are fast wins on busy weeknights and staple pantry meal you’ll be making over and over again.
Curious about Korean Chili Paste? Learn more in my guide What is Gochujang? Or dive into Korean Food for Beginners.
7 Easy Gochujang Recipes
Drizzle over Bibimbap (Korean Rice Bowls), Hwe Dup Bap (Korean Sashimi Bowl), or any rice bowl. Or use as a dip with veggies (cucumber, carrot, tomatoes), chicken, or shrimp cocktail.
Spicy-sweet boneless chicken thighs cooked until tender and juicy.
3. Gochujang Noodles (Bibim Guksu)
A cold noodle dish with thin wheat noodles (Somyeon) coated in a fiery Gochujang sauce.
4. Spicy Korean Pork Belly Bulgogi
Thick slices of pork belly with a spicy Gochujang-based marinade.
5. Tteokbokki (Spicy Korean Rice Cakes)
Chewy Korean Rice Cakes swimming in a spicy, umami-rich sauce.
6. Korean Spicy Braised Chicken (Dak Dori Tang)
Chicken drumsticks and thighs stewed in a spicy Gochujang-based sauce until mouthwateringly tender and delicious.
Add a scoop of Gochujang to flavor this hearty Korean stew with potato, tofu, and fish.
7. Army Base Stew (Budae Jjigae)
A bubbling hot pot filled with Spam, hot dogs, instant noodles, and processed cheese in a spicy, anchovy-based broth. A great meal to share with friends!
Tips for Cooking with Gochujang
Some helpful tips as you cook with Gochujang:
- Balance with sweetness. To balance the intense, spicy flavors of Gochujang, add sugar. Any kind of sweetener works, including rice syrup, corn syrup, maple syrup, or honey. In Korean cooking, they are commonly added to balance Gochujang’s heat and savory elements.
- Beware of burning + charring. Gochujang easily burns and chars because of its thick texture and sugar content. Watch gochujang-marinated meats carefully as they cook. Cook on medium to medium-low heat and flip often if there’s a lot of charring.
- Don’t use it like hot sauce. Gochujang is a thick paste. It’s not really meant to be used like hot sauce. The texture will be too thick and the flavor will be too intense. Mix it with other ingredients to create a sauce or glaze. For example, sesame oil, vinegar, soy sauce, and maple syrup or honey.
More Recipes with Gochujang
Some of my favorite non-traditional recipes with Gochujang:
- Gochujang Roasted Carrots
- Gochujang Mince Pork Rice Bowl
- Roasted Gochujang Chicken Drumsticks
- Slow Cooker Gochujang Pulled Pork
More to Explore:
- What is Gochujang?
- Korean Food for Beginners
- Gochujang Recipe Archives
- Essential Korean Panty (coming soon)
