All-Purpose Ssamjang (Korean Dipping Sauce)
Easy Homemade Ssamjang Recipe for Delicious Wraps
There was a time when I had absolutely no interest in cooking, and I genuinely believed that ssamjang was made by simply mixing doenjang and gochujang. How naive! This recipe will show you how to create a rich, flavorful ssamjang right in your own kitchen, rivaling any restaurant’s. It’s perfect for elevating your meals with fresh vegetables.
Ssamjang Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp Doenjang (fermented soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 3 Tbsp Jocheong (rice syrup) or Oligodang (corn syrup)
- 3 Tbsp Finely Grated Onion (about 1/4 medium onion)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, take about 1/4 of a medium onion. Wash it, peel off the skin, and place it into a blender or food processor. Blend until it’s very smooth, with no chunks of onion remaining. If the grated onion seems watery, you can gently squeeze out some of the excess liquid.
Step 2
Prepare a mixing bowl. Add 4 tablespoons of doenjang, 1 tablespoon of gochujang, and 3 tablespoons of jocheong (or oligodang) for sweetness. If you prefer to use sugar, about 1 to 2 tablespoons should be sufficient.
Step 3
To the same bowl, add the finely grated onion, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of gochugaru, and 2 generous tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds for a nutty aroma. Now, use a spatula or spoon to thoroughly mix all the ingredients together until well combined and smooth. Ensure there are no lumps for a perfect texture! The order in which you add the ingredients doesn’t really matter, so feel free to mix them in an order that’s convenient for you. And just like that, your incredibly simple yet delicious ssamjang is ready! Enjoy it by making wraps with your favorite fresh vegetables. It’s truly easy!
