5 Best Gochujang Brands [Store-Bought Paste]

Gochujang is a staple in Korean cuisine, adding a spicy kick and depth of flavor to your dishes. Find the best gochujang to enhance your home cooking with our curated selection.

gochujang korean paste

Did you go to a Korean restaurant and can’t get your mind off of a specific sauce? Well, chances are it’s gochujang, and you can’t get enough of the spice. Fortunately, the market is plentiful with it.

Each option holds different levels of sweet, spicy, and savory notes. From all the options available, you’ll be able to find a gochujang that’ll suit your taste.

Whether making a batch of kimchi or spooning it on your fried appetizers, it’s a crowd-pleaser for any event. Stick around to learn more about the best gochujang sauces, their pros, and cons.

Check out our comprehensive guide to help you pick the best gochujang for your spice needs.

gochujang korean paste

Chung Jung One O’Food Gochujang

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Chung Jung One O’Food’s gochujang values authenticity since it uses 100% sun-dried chili peppers to produce its paste.

The brand’s unique selling point is that it uses brown rice rather than glutinous white rice during fermentation. In turn, it offers a healthier and more wholesome alternative.

Plus, the substitute gives off a nuttier flavor profile. That said, O’Food is a well-recognized brand in Korea. It sources its products from the Sunchang region.

The area is known for its pristine waters and ideal temperatures. Besides that, you can marinate your seafood and other meats with this paste and add it to your vegetables, noodles, eggs, or rice.

Pros

  • Uses brown rice
  • Authentically sourced
  • Versatile

Cons

  • Packaging isn’t sturdy
Sale
Chung Jung One O'Food Medium Gochujang 1.1lb,...
  • ✅ Health Benefits: Made with all-natural ingredients, our gochujang paste is not only delicious...
  • ✅ Versatile: Our gochujang paste is perfect for adding depth and complexity to a wide range of...
  • ✅ Premium Taste: Enjoy flavors as authentic as the cities they come from—O’Food’s Gochujang...

Jonga Vision Gochujang

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Jonga Vision’s gochujang sauce is well-balanced in flavors. Its sweetness, spiciness, and funk are all at the perfect levels. The flexible sauce is an ideal addition to various dishes. You can marinate your meat with this stuff by thinning it with a drizzle of rice vinegar for an extra tang.

The paste pairs well with other dipping sauces. For instance, add it to soy sauce for a smokey flavor or incorporate it into your aioli dips to pack some extra heat. Although the MSG in its ingredient list adds an umami element, some people may be sensitive to it.

Overall, this sauce is well-suited to beginners. It doesn’t carry too much spice. We suggest using it for kimchi, fried dumplings, and other appetizer dishes.

Pros

  • Balanced flavors
  • Beginner-friendly
  • Flexible

Cons

  • Contains MSG
Jonga Vision Hot Pepper Paste, 1.1 Pound
  • Product Type:Sauce
  • Item Package Dimension:11.684 cm L X9.652 cm W X8.128 cm H
  • Item Package Weight:1.249 lbs

Sempio Gochujang

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Sempio’s gochujang offers a wide range of vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free options. The brand’s flavors are relatively prominent on the sweet side due to its corn syrup ingredient. The added sweetness offsets the spice, making it perfect for those who can’t handle too much heat.

With the brand’s 70 years of expertise, you can rely on its authentic gochujang Korean flavors. You can scoop the paste into your bibimbap, tteokbokki, and stir-fry vegetable dishes.

The gochujang doesn’t contain MSG and preservatives. Subsequently, it accommodates various dietary restrictions. On top of that, it’s cost-effective. 

Pros

  • Non-GMO
  • Vegan
  • No MSG 

Cons

  • Too sweet for some tastes

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Roland Foods’ Gochujang

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Roland Foods’ gochujang sauce holds a distinctly sweet flavor, which may suit particular tastes. The paste is relatively low in umami or savory notes. Nevertheless, the sauce’s spice level doesn’t disappoint.

The extra sweetness likely comes from the corn syrup. Besides that, the brand recommends using the gochujang for marinades, BBQ rubs, and soups. Since it has an intense flavor, you can dilute the paste with water, oil, or stock.

You can make a delectable marinade with this gochujang by mixing it with brown sugar and salt. The latter will balance the flavors to produce a delicious roasted chicken meal.

Pros

  • Well-suited for spice-lovers
  • Perfect for those who love sweet and spicy flavors
  • Ideal for various applications

Cons

  • Not suitable for beginners
Roland Foods Gochujang, Korean Fermented Hot Chili...
  • UMAMI FLAVOR: Similar to miso paste, Gochujang paste has a strong umami flavor with the addition of...
  • FERMENTED HOT CHILI PASTE: Our Gochujang Paste is made with fermented soybean powder for a tangy,...
  • EASY PREPARATION: Roland Food's Gochujang Paste should be thinned out with oil, stock, or water due...

CJ Haechandle Gochujang

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CJ Haechandle’s gochujang is a bestseller in Korean markets. The brand stands out from others due to its unique production process. Other gochujang brands usually mix all ingredients, which include soybeans, red chilies, and rice flour, then ferment them together.

Meanwhile, CJ Haechandle takes a more precise approach by fermenting the rice flour and soybeans before adding the red chilies.

Subsequently, you get a tangier flavor perfect for traditional Korean meals like kimchi and tteokbokki. Another benefit of this brand is its bulk packaging. You can use it for large-scale events and dinner parties.

CJ Haechandle also sells another variation of its gochujang that includes rice vinegar. It adds an extra zestiness and bite.

It’ll be perfect for spicing up your salads and crunchy vegetables. That said, if you’re looking for added sweetness, we suggest stirring in some honey or maple syrup.

Pros

  • Unique production
  • Bestseller
  • Ideal for beginners

Cons

  • Relatively pricey
Sale
CJ Haechandle Gochujang - Hot Pepper Paste, Korean...
  • SPICE UP YOUR COOKING: As our paste serves as the true representation of Korean fermented food,...
  • TRADITIONAL KOREAN PASTE: Perfect for any spicy Korean dishes such as bibimbap, kimchi stew, BBQ or...
  • AUTHENTIC KOREAN INGREDIENTS: Heat from the red hot chili peppers, our gochujang is made with the...

What is Gochujang?

Gochujang is a spicy Korean seasoning paste made with dried red chili flakes called gochugaru. Other ingredients in the mix include glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt.

Taste-wise, the sauce carries an intense spicy savory flavor. It also contains a hint of sweetness from the fermentation process.

How is Gochujang Used in Cooking?

Gochujang has multiple applications thanks to its popular umami taste. Chefs and cooks popularly use the paste to make kimchi. You’ll find the sauce incorporated with dishes rather than a separate condiment.

You can rub the spice on meats like pork ribs and chicken wings. Alternatively, stir it into soups, stews, and dipping sauces.

Final Thoughts

Gochujang separates itself from other sauces with its fermentation process. The step adds a deeper flavor profile. It reconfigures the paste’s enzymes to create the notable umami savory taste.

The sauce’s sweetness comes from glutinous rice and corn syrup. That said, choosing a gochujang paste depends on your taste. Do you prefer a subtle sweetness? Brands like O’Food are perfect.

Meanwhile, you can check out other brands like Sempio and Rolands to embrace the sweet and spicy flavor notes. Whether you use gochujang as a base, flavor enhancer, marinade, or rub, your guests are bound to pick up on it and ask for seconds.