Gochujang

Gochujang
Alternative namesRed chili paste
Place of originKorea
Associated cuisineKorean cuisine
Main ingredientsGochu-garu (chili powder), glutinous rice, meju-garu (fermented soybean powder)
Other informationHS code: 2103.90.1030
Korean name
Hangul
고추장
Hanja
苦椒醬
RRgochujang
MRkoch'ujang
IPA[kotɕʰudʑaŋ]

Gochujang or red chili paste is a savory, sweet, and spicy fermented condiment popular in Korean cooking. It is made from gochugaru (red chili powder), glutinous rice, meju (fermented soybean) powder, yeotgireum (barley malt powder), and salt. The sweetness comes from the starch of cooked glutinous rice, cultured with saccharifying enzymes during the fermentation process. Traditionally, it would be naturally fermented over years in jangdok (earthenware) on an elevated stone platform called jangdokdae in the backyard.