Ssamjang (Korean Barbecue Dipping Sauce) Recipe

Korean ssamjang combines the savory funk of doenjang with the sweet heat of gochujang for the perfect grilled meat condiment.

By
Sasha Marx
Sasha Marx
Senior Culinary Editor
Sasha is a senior culinary editor at Serious Eats. He has over a decade of professional cooking experience, having worked his way up through a number of highly regarded and award-winning restaurant kitchens, followed by years spent in test kitchens for food publications.
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Updated December 11, 2025

Why It Works

  • An essential companion to Korean barbecue, ssamjang is a quick stir-together sauce that hits salty, sweet, spicy, bitter, and savory notes all at once.
  • Doenjang, the fermented soybean paste at its base, brings deep, savory umami that pairs beautifully with grilled meats.
  • Gochujang adds a mellow sweet heat, giving the sauce warmth and spice without overpowering it.
  • Fresh garlic and scallions brighten everything up, cutting through the richness with a sharp allium pop.

Ssamjang is an essential component of Korean barbecue. It's a simple, no-cook, stir-together dipping sauce that combines the savory funk of doenjang (fermented Korean soybean paste) with the sweet heat of gochujang. Toasted sesame oil and seeds provide subtle roasted bitter notes, while fresh garlic and scallions wake everything up with a little allium bite. Spread ssamjang on leaves and lettuces before wrapping them around bites of grilled meat, seafood, and even vegetables.

A small bowl of ssamjang, and someone spooning ssamjang onto a lettuce leaf.

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

August 2019

Recipe Details

Ssamjang (Korean Barbecue Dipping Sauce) Recipe

Prep 5 mins
Active 2 mins
Total 5 mins
Serves 4 servings
Makes 1/2 cup
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Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup (60 g; 60 ml) doenjang (Korean fermented soybean paste)

  • 2 tablespoons (30 g; 30 ml) gochujang (Korean chile paste)

  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Korean rice syrup (see note)

  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) toasted sesame oil

  • 2 scallions (40 g), thinly sliced

  • 2 large garlic cloves (10 g), minced

  • 2 teaspoons (4 g) toasted sesame seeds

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, stir together doenjang, gochujang, rice syrup, sesame oil, scallions, garlic, and sesame seeds until well-combined. Serve, or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.

Notes

Honey or corn syrup can be substituted for Korean rice syrup.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Ssamjang can be refrigerated for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Read More

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
116 Calories
4g Fat
20g Carbs
1g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 116
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 225mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 3mg 17%
Calcium 27mg 2%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 51mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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