Best Gochujang Brands

Gochujang Brands Comparison 2023 | Taste Testing The Hottest Korean Chilli Paste!

If you want to add a bit of spice to your food, here’s a list of the best gochujang brands or Korean chilli paste brands for you!

Do you know what can make any Korean cuisine the perfect dish in the world? I know the answers might differ from person to person, but for spice lovers, it’s Gochujang

The traditional spicy paste made from red chili, salt, rice, etc., can easily enhance your food’s flavors. However, a perfect Gochujang doesn’t include only spiciness but should bring some sweetness. 

So, where will you find such well-balanced and perfect Gochujang in South Korea? Don’t worry because we have got you covered through this article. 

Moreover, if you are a Kimchi lover like me, you’d find this post more helpful as Gochujang can work as butter in a French dish. 

Best Gochujang BrandsBest FeatureIngredients
Sempio Gochujang Hot PepperVeganRed Pepper Powder, Salt, Soybeans
Chung Jung One’s GochujangCorn Syrup-FreeBrown Rice, Fermented Soybeans And Red Pepper Powder
Roland Food’s Gochujang Hot Chili PasteExtra SpicyChilli Powder, Garlic, Fermented Soybean
Koko Gochujang Fermented Hot Pepper PasteGMO and Gluten-FreeRed Pepper Powder, Salt, Fermented Soybean, Rice Syrup
Jeolla Namdo’s Korean Hot Pepper GochujangSlightly-Sweet TasteChilli Powder, Garlic, Fermented Soybean, Wheat Flour
Jongga Vision’s Gochujang PasteSmoky AftertasteChilli Powder, Garlic, Fermented Soybean, Wheat Flour, MSG

Which is the best Gochujang brand?

Out of all the Gochujang brands that I’ve reviewed below, I liked the Sempio Gochujang Hot Pepper the best. It balances the flavors really well. The Gochujang is spicy but not uncomfortably so. I also liked that it was free of corn syrup and MSG. So it’s healthier and more authentic than other store-bought Gochujang brands.

How I tested the best Gochujang brands?

I brought some of the top gochujang brands available on amazon and taste tested them for your sake! I checked the gochujang for the following parameters and then gave each brand a rating out of 5. Here’s what my parameters are:

  • Authenticity of Taste – I first checked how well the Gochujang tastes like its Korean version. Many packaged brands fail to recreate the traditional Korean touch.
  • Spice Levels – I like gochujang paste which is not very spicy or very bland. Somewhere right in the middle. I like to control the spice levels when I’m cooking. So something eye-wateringly spicy or irritatingly bland gets no points from me.
  • Ingredients – Some Gochujang has MSG or monosodium glutamate, which might not be suitable for people with migraines or who are health conscious. Also, I looked for any allergens or non-vegetarian ingredients that can hurt people’s dietary restrictions.

Now, without wasting any further time, let’s get started on some of the best Gochujang brands that you can find. 

Top Gochujang Brands 2023

What is gochugang?

Gochugang is a Korean condiment made of red chili peppers, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt. It’s often used as a marinade or as a topping for many dishes, like bibimbap, tteokbokki, and jiigae. Gochugang is usually quite spicy and has a strong, salty flavor.

It’s a staple in Korean cuisine and can be found in most supermarkets. It often comes in a convenient paste form, which makes it quite versatile and easy to use. Gochugang is a perfect way to add some spice to any dish.

How to choose the best Gochujang brands?

For me, any Gochujang’s success relies on three major factors only. These three factors are as follows: 

  • Level of Spiciness
  • Level of Sweetness
  • Overall Flavors and Texture

Once a brand has mastered these three factors, its product can earn a spot in anyone’s kitchen. 

However, if you mess up with any one of them while keeping the others right, you might miss out on a specific section of consumers. 

For instance, Roland Food’s Gochujang has a decent level of sweetness, but it’s quite low in spiciness. Moreover, the overall flavors of the paste aren’t very great, and hence it failed to impress me. 

So, while choosing the perfect Gochujang for yourself, all you have to do is know your preferences correctly. 

If you’re sure that you can handle a high level of heat, then Jeolla Namdo’s Gochujang is a decent choice, But if you’re looking for something less spicy, then Koko’s Fermented Gochujang is the right option. 

Difference between Gochugaru and Gochujang

Gochugaru and gochujang are two key ingredients in Korean cooking, both necessary for making the spicy, earthy flavors found in many signature dishes. However, there are some key differences between the two that must be taken into consideration when selecting which will best suit the recipe.

Gochugaru, otherwise known as Korean chili pepper flakes, are made from sun-dried red chili peppers. The peppers are then crushed and ground into powder-like flakes that range in sizes and has a mix of sweetness and smokiness to it.

It has a medium to high level of heat, with an accompanying bright and spicy flavor that works best in stews, bibimbaps, and marinades.

In contrast to the flakes, gochujang is a fermented paste made with glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and red chili peppers. It has a much thicker consistency, and is sweeter and fruitier than gochugaru, yet still pungent with a mild smokiness.

The temperature scale for gochujang is higher than gochugaru and makes a great base for sauces and stews as it helps to balance out other ingredients with its sweet and spicy flavor and thick texture.

When deciding which of the two will best suit the recipe in question, it’s important to note that each one possesses unique flavors which should be taken into consideration.

Gochugaru has a moderate to high level of heat that works especially well when cooked over a longer period of time, allowing the flavors to bind with the other ingredients.

Gochujang, on the other hand, has a higher heat level and is more ideal for dishes that require shorter preparation times.

For those searching for the best gochugang brands, it is essential to take into consideration the type of heat desired, the thickness of the paste, and how long the cooking preparation process typically requires.

For those who favor high endurance levels of heat and direct flavors, gochugaru is the better option. Those searching for a more complex combination of flavors and thickness, should opt for gochujang.

Ultimately, the difference between gochugaru and gochujang comes down to preference. Both are integral parts of Korean cooking and both can be used to create delicious dishes.

Sempio Gochujang Hot Pepper

best gochujang on amazon

Too much spiciness or too much sweetness can ruin anyone’s food. Luckily, Sempio’s Gochujang lies on the well-balanced side. 

The hot pepper paste offers right the amount of everything that’s required to elevate your dish’s flavors.

Personally, I believe that Sempio’s Gochujang paste is one of the best choices for foods like Kimchi, Noodles, Korean-style Pork, etc. 

Even if you’re a Gochujang expert like me, you might think of Sempio’s Gochujang as a bland hot pepper paste. 

how to use gochujang paste

However, that’s not the complete truth, as its flavors take a little amount of time to grow on anyone. Once you have reached that time, you’ll slowly start feeling its subtle and earthy flavors. 

Overall, I would rate Sempio’s Gochujang Hot Pepper Paste 8.5 out of 10 as it surely deserves a spot in every Korean food lover’s kitchen. 

What I Liked:

  • Perfect balance of spice levels that are spicy but not overwhelming
  • Authentic earthy flavor of Korean chilli paste that’s lacking in many packaged brands

What I Didn’t Like

  • Contains wheat starch so it’s not gluten free

My Ratings:

  • Authenticity of Taste – 4.5/5
  • Spice Levels – 4/5
  • Ingredients – 4/5

Chung Jung One’s Gochujang

As I mentioned earlier, Rice is one of the major ingredients of any Gochujang paste. However, in this case, Chun Jung One went out of the box as this Gochujang paste is made of Brown Rice. 

At first, I thought that using brown rice would create a lot of differences. However, I was wrong as it still felt like any other brand’s Gochujang.

While the brown rice couldn’t make any significant difference, the overall taste was pretty mild and basic. The flavors lack a bit of depth, but it’s still indeed edible and usable. So should you pick Chung Jung One’s Gochujang for your kitchen or not? 

If you cannot get a Gochujang paste of any other brand, then yes, Chung Jung One’s will work too. 

However, if any other brand’s Gochujang is right there to grab, then at least I’d not pick this one. 

I would give a solid 6 out of 10 to this famous Chung Jung One’s Gochujang paste for the rating. 

What I Liked:

  • Contains tapioca and rice instead of wheat starch so it’s good for people with gluten allergies
  • Smooth flavor which has the perfect spice level

What I Didn’t Like

  • Contains alcohol which might not be suitable for some people

My Ratings:

  • Authenticity of Taste – 4.5/5
  • Spice Levels – 5/5
  • Ingredients – 4.5/5

Roland Food’s Gochujang Hot Chili Paste

If I’ve to create different tiers to classify each Gochujang brand, Roland Foods might make it to the bottom tier. 

But, before blasting this famous product with negative opinions or reviews, here’s one important thing to keep in mind. While researching for this article, I preferred only hot and spicy Gochujang pastes. 

Now, the pack comes with ‘Hot Chili Paste’ mentioned, but it is entirely disappointing with the level of spiciness. 

Roland Food’s Gochujang is not the right choice for spice lovers who are looking for some mind-blasting Gochujang pastes. 

Moreover, the paste has a very raw and floury taste which messes up with my Kimchi’s flavors. 

You might consider using this Gochujang paste on your burgers, sandwiches, or even tacos, but for those who prefer spicy, this isn’t the right product. 

After considering some pity points, I’d rate Roland Food’s Gochujang Hot Chili Paste a lousy 4 out of 10. 

What I Liked:

  • Good for people who do not like spicy food
  • Paste has a very mild taste so it will pair well with burgers or sandwiches.

What I Didn’t Like

  • Has a very raw, flour-like aftertaste
  • Is not very spicy and doesn’t have any tang to it at all

My Ratings:

  • Authenticity of Taste – 3.5/5
  • Spice Levels – 3/5
  • Ingredients – 4/5

Koko Gochujang Fermented Hot Pepper Paste

Another fermented hot pepper paste that needs some more heat and spiciness to earn a spot in my kitchen. 

However, Koko’s Gochujang is one of the few gluten-free Gochujang that I could find in the local market. 

At first, the paste looks intimidating, but it lies more on the sweet side than being a spicy one. 

I know that spice lovers might not like this Gochujang too, but it surely ranks above Roland Food’s Gochujang. Why? 

The sole reason behind that is that it does not leave any raw or floury taste behind. In fact, it blends quite well and has the potential to become the best choice for people who prefer less spicy food. 

But does it earn a spot in our kitchen? For me, the answer is no, but it might work for many of you. So the ultimate decision for this one is up to you now. 

When it comes to the rating, this famous Gochujang from Koko earns an average score of 5 out of 10. 

My Ratings:

  • Authenticity of Taste – 3/5
  • Spice Levels – 3/5
  • Ingredients – 4/5

Jeolla Namdo’s Korean Hot Pepper Gochujang

best gochujang brand in usa

Have you ever tasted something that has left you feeling adventurous? If not, then you should try Jeolla Namdo’s Gochujang. N

ow, these were my friend’s words who has a poor taste in food or spices. 

But surprisingly, Jeolla Namdo’s Gomchujang left me pretty speechless with its good level of heat and perfect depth of flavors. 

With the addition of corn syrup too, this Gochujang managed to hit all the right notes. At the same time, the paste also has that perfect trail of sweetness to offer which makes this paste another well-balanced Gochujang. 

Hence, the next time you decide to serve any type of dish, whether it’s ramen or stir-fried pork, I’d highly recommend using Jeolla Namdo’s Gochujang. 

In terms of rating, this hot pepper Gochujang from Jeolla Namdo manages to secure an outstanding score of 9 out of 10. 

My Ratings:

  • Authenticity of Taste – 4.5/5
  • Spice Levels – 4.5/5
  • Ingredients – 4/5

Jongga Vision’s Gochujang Paste

After tasting Jeolla Namdo’s Gochujang, I wasn’t sure if any other brand would be able to compete. 

But, Jongga Vision’s Gochujang indeed took me by surprise and made a point for itself. While keeping the sweetness pretty noticeable, this Gochujang can knock your socks off with its high level of spiciness. 

Surprisingly, this same brand also offers a great Kimchi in the South Korean market. Hence, it’s good to see that one brand serves the ultimate combination of Kimchi and Gochujang pretty well. 

If it comes to the downside, there are none in terms of taste or flavors. However, I found this Gochujang a bit expensive than other brands’ products. 

But, if you’re comfortable with spending some extra money for that touch of perfection in your food, then Jongga Vision surely becomes one of the best choices. 

It was hard for me to rate this Gochujang any lower than Jeolla Namdo’s Gochujang at first. But due to its slightly high prices, I gave it a decent total of 8.9 out of 10. 

My Ratings:

  • Authenticity of Taste – 4.5/5
  • Spice Levels – 4.5/5
  • Ingredients – 4.5/5

Is store bought gochujang fermented?

Yes, store bought gochujang is usually fermented. However, the fermentation process can vary depending on the brand and how it’s made. In general, though, store bought gochujang is typically fermented with rice or soy beans. The rice bran and bean proteins are combined to create a thick paste that is then packed into jars or containers and sealed tightly.
The fermentation process helps to produce high levels of flavoring compounds such as glutamates, as well as acids (such as vinegar) that give the sauce its distinctive taste and aroma. It also aids in breaking down starches so that they can be absorbed by the body. Depending on how long it has been stored, store bought gochujang may have a slightly sour flavor due to the lactic acid produced during fermentation..

Should gochujang be refrigerated?

Gochujang can be stored at room temperature when it’s on the shelf at the store. However, once you open the box or tube, you need to refrigerate it immediately.

Final thoughts on the best Gochujang brands

As we all know, the taste is a subjective matter. It doesn’t work the same for all of us and differs from person to person. 

It’s possible that you might not agree with the products mentioned above and their ratings. 

Some spice lovers might give 0 ratings to less spicy Gochujang from brands like Roland Food. However, at the same time, a few people might love it very much. 

So, it’s not possible to declare any specific Gochujang brand as the ultimate winner. The ultimate decision of which one is best and which one is worst will always rely on you. 

If you’re someone with a high spice tolerance, then go for Jeolla Namdo or Jongga Vision’s Gochujang with your eyes closed. 

But, if you’re looking for something that’s mildly spicy and offers decent flavors, then Sempio’s Gochujang Hot Pepper Paste is a great choice. 

Lastly, if you have never tried any Gochujang, then I’d recommend trying Koko’s Fermented Gochujang. With a score of 5 out of 10, the paste lies rightly in the middle of sweetness and spiciness. 

If somehow, I have managed to miss your favorite brand’s Gochujang, then please let me know about it. 

As a Korean food lover, I’d surely give it a try and mention it for the next time. Until then, keep smiling, and I hope you enjoy your next meal! 

Also Read:

Best Korean kimchi containers

Best instant Jajangmyeon

Best Korean tea brands

Best Korean rice cake brands

Best Soju brands

Sempio Gochujang, Hot Pepper Paste
Top Gochujang Brands 11zon

Looking for the best Korean Gochujang brands? Here are store brought chilli paste brand that will add spice to your Koreran cuisine. The Sempio Gochujang, Hot Pepper Paste is vegan and perfectly spicy.

Product SKU: NGU2JBF2V288626YG2

Product Brand: Sempio

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: $23.49

Price Valid Until: 2023-05-12

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
5

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