Homemade Ssamjang (Korean Dipping Sauce)
Make samjang at home with this easy recipe! This authentic Korean dipping sauce is essential for your Korean BBQ, lettuce wraps, and other popular Korean dishes. Plus, it’s ready in just 5 minutes!
Want to take your Korean BBQ to the next level? Look no further than ssamjang, Korean barbeque dipping sauce!
This mildly spicy condiment is essential for any Korean BBQ feast or for enhancing healthy wraps. You can whip up a delicious batch with this recipe in less than 5 minutes using basic Korean ingredients.
What is Ssamjang?
Ssamjang is a thick, spicy paste made from key ingredients like Korean soybean paste (doenjang) and Korean chili paste (gochujang), along with flavorful seasonings such as garlic, onion, honey, and sesame oil.
Known as the crown jewel of Korean BBQ condiments, it also serves as a delicious vegetable dipping sauce and wrap sauce. Pa Muchim, a Korean green onion salad, is often enjoyed alongside to complete the meal.
While store-bought versions are available, nothing beats the authentic flavor of homemade ssamjang. The good news? It’s quick and easy to make!
How to make Ssamjang
You will need essential Korean condiments like doenjang (soybean paste) and gochujang (chili paste), along with savory ingredients such as garlic, rice wine, and sesame oil, among others.
Combine the Korean pastes, and other ingrediets in a small mixing bowl. Mix well, and that’s it! How simple is that?
Recipe Tip! To give your ssamjang an extra kick, you can add chopped green onions, green chilies, or even walnuts. This will add more flavor and texture to the sauce and make it even fancier. Give it a try and see how you like it!
Ways to Enjoy Ssamjang
There are many recipes you can enjoy with this versatile ssamjang sauce. To start, take a lettuce or perilla leaf and layer it with rice, savory Korean barbecued meat (like samgyupsal), and a dollop of this rich dipping sauce.
Enjoy ssambap (Korean lettuce wraps) for an authentic Korean food experience. Add kimchi, radish pickles, raw garlic slices, and chilies. Make everything bite-sized so you can savor all the flavors without the mess!
You can also use ssamjang as a dip for vegetables, much like hummus. Just dip a vegetable stick into the sauce and savor its complex flavor.
If you’re looking for more dishes to pair with this Korean dipping sauce, consider these recipe options:
- Bossam
- Galbi (Korean BBQ ribs)
- Classic bulgogi
- Doenjang jjigae (Korean soybean paste stew): try adding ssamjang to the stew. This will give it the same rich, complex flavor that you would find in jjigae served in a Korean restauran
- My cookbook, Korean cooking favorite, has a recipe for BBQ restaurant style doenjang jjigae.
Storing Your Korean Dipping Sauce
To maximize the life of your homemade Ssamjang, store any unused portion in an airtight container and refrigerate. For optimal freshness and taste, consume within 3-5 days, though it can last up to 2 weeks.
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Homemade Ssamjang (Korean Dipping Sauce)
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Korean soybean paste (doenjang)
- 1 1/2 tbsp Korean chili paste (gochujang)
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp sweet rice wine (mirim)
- 1/2 tbsp sugar, or honey
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well.
- Homemade ssamjang typically lasts 2-3 weeks in the fridge if kept in an airtight container.
- Note: To give your ssamjang an extra kick, you can add chopped green onions, green chilies, or even walnuts. This will add more flavor and texture to the sauce and make it even fancier.
- Dishes that pair well with ssamjang: Samgyupsal (BBQ pork belly), Bossam (braised pork belly), Beef Bulgogi (Korean marinated beef), Ssambap (Korean lettuce wrap), Galbi (Korean BBQ ribs).
