Versatile Tuna Ssamjang
The Perfect Summer Condiment: Easy and Delicious Tuna Ssamjang Recipe
With the abundance of fresh greens from the garden—lettuce, perilla leaves, and even crown daisies—growing so well, I’ve been relieved of daily side dish worries. I’ve been making this simple and delightful ssamjang to enjoy with wraps or salads. It’s the perfect way to savor the season’s bounty!
Main Ingredients- 100g canned tuna
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 onion
- 2 Cheongyang peppers (Korean chili peppers)
- 2 Tbsp doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the vegetables that will add rich flavor to our ssamjang. In a bowl, have 1 Tbsp of minced garlic ready. Finely mince 1/2 onion and add it to the bowl. Finely chop 2 Cheongyang peppers to add a touch of heat. The finer you mince the onion, the smoother the texture of the ssamjang will be.
Step 2
Now, it’s important to remove any fishy odor from the tuna. Prepare one 100g can of tuna. Using the lid of the can, press down firmly to drain out as much oil as possible. If too much oil remains, the ssamjang can taste greasy.
Step 3
Add the drained tuna to the bowl with the minced garlic, minced onion, and chopped Cheongyang peppers. If the tuna chunks are large, you can lightly mash them with a spoon as you add them.
Step 4
Next, add the doenjang and gochujang to form the base flavor of the ssamjang. Add 2 Tbsp of doenjang and 1 Tbsp of gochujang. The ratio can be adjusted to your preference, but this blend is widely considered the most delicious.
Step 5
Finally, add 1 Tbsp of sesame oil for a nutty aroma and 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds for a rich flavor. The fragrant sesame oil and the crunch of sesame seeds will elevate the taste of the ssamjang.
Step 6
Now, use a spatula or spoon to mix all the ingredients thoroughly until well combined. Stir until the ingredients are evenly incorporated without any clumps, and your flavorful, versatile tuna ssamjang will be perfectly ready! Serve it generously over warm, freshly cooked rice with your favorite fresh wraps.
