Gochujang (고추장) is a spicy, savory, and slightly sweet Korean chili paste that has become a must-have ingredient for anyone who loves bold flavors. Below are 10 popular Gochujang-based recipes that will introduce you to the depth and versatility of this iconic Korean ingredient.
1. Bibimbap (비빔밥) – Mixed Rice Bowl
Bibimbap is a well-loved Korean dish that means “mixed rice.” It’s packed with a variety of sautéed vegetables, marinated meat, a fried egg, and a generous dollop of Gochujang to tie it all together.
Ingredients (2 servings):
🍚 Steamed rice
🥩 200g beef or pork (thinly sliced)
🥕 1 carrot (julienned)
🥒 ½ zucchini (sliced)
🍳 1 egg (fried)
🌶️ 2 tbsp Gochujang
🥢 1 tbsp soy sauce
🧄 2 cloves garlic (minced)
🧈 1 tsp sesame oil
🧂 Sesame seeds (optional)
Directions:
🍳 Cook Meat: Stir-fry > (🥩 200g beef or pork) with > (🧄 2 cloves garlic, 🥢 1 tbsp soy sauce) until browned.
🥕 Cook Veggies: Sauté > (🥕 1 julienned carrot, 🥒 ½ sliced zucchini) separately until tender.
🍚 Assemble: Place steamed rice in a bowl, arrange vegetables, meat, and fried egg on top.
🌶️ Add Gochujang: Serve with > (🌶️ 2 tbsp Gochujang) and mix before eating.
2. Tteokbokki (떡볶이) – Spicy Rice Cakes
Tteokbokki is a popular Korean street food made of chewy rice cakes stir-fried in a spicy Gochujang sauce.
Ingredients (2 servings):
🍘 200g Korean rice cakes
🍥 100g fish cakes (optional)
🌶️ 2 tbsp Gochujang
🍶 1 tbsp soy sauce
🧄 2 cloves garlic (minced)
🍚 1 tbsp sugar
🧈 1 tsp sesame oil
🌿 Green onions (garnish)
Directions:
🍳 Cook Rice Cakes: Boil rice cakes in water until softened. Drain.
🌶️ Prepare Sauce: In a pan, stir-fry > (🧄 2 minced garlic cloves, 🌶️ 2 tbsp Gochujang, 🍶 1 tbsp soy sauce, 🍚 1 tbsp sugar).
🍘 Combine: Add rice cakes and fish cakes to the sauce, stir well.
🌿 Garnish: Top with chopped green onions.
3. Jeyuk Bokkeum (제육볶음) – Spicy Stir-Fried Pork
Jeyuk Bokkeum is a stir-fry made from thinly sliced pork marinated in Gochujang, then stir-fried with vegetables.
Ingredients (2 servings):
🍖 200g pork (thinly sliced)
🧅 ½ onion (sliced)
🥕 1 carrot (julienned)
🌶️ 2 tbsp Gochujang
🥢 1 tbsp soy sauce
🧄 2 cloves garlic (minced)
🧈 1 tbsp sesame oil
🌿 Green onions (garnish)
Directions:
🍳 Marinate Pork: Mix > (🌶️ 2 tbsp Gochujang, 🥢 1 tbsp soy sauce, 🧄 2 minced garlic cloves) and marinate pork for **30 minutes**.
🍳 Cook Pork: Stir-fry pork until browned.
🥕 Add Veggies: Stir in > (🧅 ½ sliced onion, 🥕 1 julienned carrot) and sauté until tender.
🌿 Garnish: Top with green onions and serve with rice or lettuce wraps.
4. Dak Galbi (닭갈비) – Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken
Dak Galbi is a flavorful dish made with chicken stir-fried in Gochujang sauce, served with rice or lettuce wraps.
Ingredients (2 servings):
🍗 200g chicken thighs (diced)
🥬 ½ cabbage (chopped)
🥔 1 sweet potato (sliced)
🥕 1 carrot (julienned)
🌶️ 2 tbsp Gochujang
🥢 1 tbsp soy sauce
🧈 1 tbsp sesame oil
Directions:
🍳 Cook Chicken: Stir-fry > (🍗 200g diced chicken) in sesame oil until browned.
🥕 Add Veggies: Add > (🥬 ½ chopped cabbage, 🥔 1 sliced sweet potato, 🥕 1 julienned carrot). Stir-fry until tender.
🌶️ Add Gochujang: Mix in > (🌶️ 2 tbsp Gochujang, 🥢 1 tbsp soy sauce). Cook until well combined.
5. Kimchi Jjigae (김치찌개) – Spicy Kimchi Stew
Kimchi Jjigae is a spicy stew made with aged kimchi, tofu, pork, and Gochujang. It’s comforting and packed with flavor.
Ingredients (2 servings):
🥬 1 cup aged kimchi
🥩 100g pork belly
🥒 ½ zucchini (sliced)
🧄 2 cloves garlic (minced)
🌶️ 1 tbsp Gochujang
🥢 1 tbsp soy sauce
🧈 1 tsp sesame oil
🍲 2 cups broth or water
🧊 Tofu (cubed)
Directions:
🍳 Cook Pork: Stir-fry pork until browned.
🥬 Add Kimchi: Stir in kimchi and garlic.
🍲 Simmer: Add broth, Gochujang, and soy sauce. Simmer for **15 minutes**.
🧊 Add Tofu: Add tofu and zucchini, simmer for another **5 minutes**.
6. Samgyeopsal (삼겹살) with Gochujang Dipping Sauce
Samgyeopsal is grilled pork belly, typically served with lettuce wraps and a Gochujang-based dipping sauce.
Ingredients (2 servings):
🥓 200g pork belly
🥬 Fresh lettuce
🧄 Garlic slices
🌶️ Gochujang sauce (see below)
Gochujang Dipping Sauce:
🌶️ 2 tbsp Gochujang
🥢 1 tsp soy sauce
🧄 1 clove garlic (minced)
🍶 1 tsp rice vinegar
🧈 1 tsp sesame oil
Directions:
🍳 Grill Pork Belly: Grill pork belly slices until crispy.
🥬 Serve: Serve with lettuce, garlic slices, and the Gochujang dipping sauce.
7. Gochujang Jjigae (고추장찌개) – Spicy Gochujang Stew
Gochujang Jjigae is a stew with tofu, zucchini, and Gochujang, perfect for a spicy, comforting meal.
Ingredients (2 servings):
🧊 Tofu (cubed)
🥒 1 zucchini (sliced)
🥔 1 potato (diced)
🌶️ 2 tbsp Gochujang
🍲 2 cups broth
🧄 2 cloves garlic (minced)
🥢 1 tbsp soy sauce
Directions:
🍳 Simmer Veggies: Simmer potato, zucchini, and garlic in broth.
🌶️ Add Gochujang: Stir in Gochujang and soy sauce.
🧊 Add Tofu: Add tofu and cook for another **5 minutes**.
8. Gochujang Glazed Chicken Wings
Gochujang Glazed Chicken Wings are crispy and coated with a sweet, spicy Gochujang glaze. Perfect for parties!
Ingredients (2 servings):
🍗 10 chicken wings
🌶️ 2 tbsp Gochujang
🍶 1 tbsp soy sauce
🍯 1 tbsp honey
🧈 1 tsp sesame oil
🧄 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Directions:
🔥 Bake Wings: Bake chicken wings at **200°C (400°F)** for **25 minutes**.
🌶️ Prepare Glaze: Mix > (🌶️ 2 tbsp Gochujang, 🍶 1 tbsp soy sauce, 🍯 1 tbsp honey, 🧈 1 tsp sesame oil, 🧄 2 cloves minced garlic).
🍗 Coat Wings: Toss wings in the Gochujang glaze and serve.
9. Gochujang Bulgogi (고추장 불고기) – Spicy Marinated Beef
Bulgogi with a spicy Gochujang marinade gives this Korean BBQ favorite a delicious twist.
Ingredients (2 servings):
🥩 200g thinly sliced beef
🌶️ 2 tbsp Gochujang
🥢 1 tbsp soy sauce
🍯 1 tsp sugar
🧄 2 cloves garlic (minced)
🧈 1 tsp sesame oil
Directions:
🥩 Marinate Beef: Mix Gochujang, soy sauce, garlic, sugar, and sesame oil. Marinate beef for **30 minutes**.
🍳 Cook: Stir-fry the beef until caramelized.
10. Gochujang Fried Rice
Gochujang Fried Rice is a quick and easy meal, stir-frying rice with vegetables and meat in a spicy Gochujang sauce.
Ingredients (2 servings):
🍚 2 cups cooked rice
🌶️ 1-2 tbsp Gochujang
🥕 1 carrot (julienned)
🧅 ½ onion (sliced)
🥢 1 tbsp soy sauce
🍳 1 egg (optional)
Directions:
🍳 Cook Veggies: Sauté > (🥕 1 julienned carrot, 🧅 ½ sliced onion).
🍚 Add Rice: Stir in cooked rice and soy sauce.
🌶️ Add Gochujang: Mix in Gochujang and stir-fry until combined.
Enjoy these Top 10 Gochujang Recipes to add some spice and flavor to your meals!
Want to dive deeper into the history and flavors of Gochujang?
Check out The Rich History and Flavorful Legacy of Gochujang: Korea’s Iconic Chili Paste, where we explore the origins, cultural significance, and timeless appeal of this beloved ingredient. Read more here.
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