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Ssamjang: Authentic Korean Spicy Dipping Sauce Recipe

If you love this Ssamjang Korean Spicy Dipping Sauce, check out our other excellent Korean Food Recipes!

I have a deep love for Korean food. If you’ve spent any time on Foodie with Family, you’ve likely seen several recipes that are either traditional or inspired by Korean flavors. Ssamjang (Korean spicy dipping sauce) translates roughly to “sauce for wraps” and is one of those versatile condiments I always keep on hand.

Ssamjang Korean Spicy Dipping Sauce is as easy as it is delicious and habit forming! Serve as a dip for Korean Barbecue, pork roasts, bo ssam, on lettuce wraps, or any other number of delicious things!

What is Ssamjang?

Ssamjang is a thick, spicy, savory paste with a deep umami character. Its signature color and flavor come from a blend of fermented chili paste (gochujang) and fermented soybean paste (doenjang). Doenjang, a byproduct of soy sauce production, gives the sauce an intense savory depth that pairs beautifully with grilled and fresh ingredients.

Traditionally, ssamjang is spread onto a lettuce leaf, topped with grilled meats—like Korean barbecue, pork, or chicken—plus kimchi, cucumber, or shredded carrots, then wrapped and eaten in one bite. It’s also commonly used as a dip for fresh peppers.

Don’t limit ssamjang to just wraps: it’s excellent smeared on toasted buns for burgers, used as a dip for fries, or stirred into rice bowls to add a punch of spicy, savory flavor.

Cook’s Notes

  • Preparing ssamjang is straightforward: you simply combine the ingredients until smooth. For a quicker, lump-free finish, whisk the base ingredients (doenjang, gochujang, sesame oil, honey, garlic, and ginger) first, then fold in sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
  • For sesame seeds, a mix of black and toasted white sesame seeds looks and tastes great, but using all of one type is fine based on preference or availability.
  • Freshly minced garlic and grated ginger give the best aroma and flavor, but the pre-minced pastes sold in grocery produce sections work well if you prefer convenience.
Ssamjang Korean Spicy Dipping Sauce is as easy as it is delicious and habit forming! Serve as a dip for Korean Barbecue, pork roasts, bo ssam, on lettuce wraps, or any other number of delicious things!

Ssamjang Korean Spicy Dipping Sauce

Rebecca Lindamood

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Ssamjang is terrific with lettuce wraps, Korean barbecue, pork roasts, and many other dishes. Simple, bold, and habit-forming.

Adapted from A Korean Mother’s Cooking Notes

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup soybean paste doenjang
  • 2 tablespoons gochujang
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 4 green onions thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  • Whisk together all ingredients except the sesame seeds and green onions until smooth. Stir in the sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Taste and adjust seasoning or sweetness as desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate; flavors will meld and deepen after a few hours.

Nutrition

Calories: 35kcal
Carbohydrates: 4g
Fat: 1g
Sodium: 214mg

Nutritional information is an estimate. Calculate values using the exact ingredients you use if precise nutrition details are required.

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Do you love this Ssamjang Korean Spicy Dipping Sauce? Try these Korean dishes!

  • Korean BBQ Steak Rice Bowls
  • Easy Fast Mak Kimchi
  • Slow Cooker Korean Style Barbecue Pork
  • Korean Bibimbap
  • Korean Chicken Rice Bowls

Ssamjang Korean Spicy Dipping Sauce is as easy as it is delicious and habit forming! Serve as a dip for Korean Barbecue, pork roasts, bo ssam, on lettuce wraps, or any other number of delicious things!