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7 Best Substitutes for Gochujang in Asian Sauces & Marinades

7 Best Substitutes for Gochujang

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This guide lists the top 7 substitutes for gochujang, explaining their best uses and how to adjust for flavor and texture differences. It helps you choose based on cooking needs and ingredient availability.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Substitute Guide
Cuisine: Fusion, Korean-Inspired
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon Doenjang Use 1 tablespoon doenjang plus 1 teaspoon honey or brown sugar to match gochujang sweetness. Skip if making sweet glazes or dessert dishes.
  • 1 tablespoon Sambal Oelek Use 1 tablespoon sambal oelek plus 1 teaspoon sugar. Skip if you need a paste that clings or fermented depth.
  • Miso Mix Mix 1 tablespoon miso, 1 teaspoon honey, and a pinch of chili flakes. Skip if cooking over direct high heat or needing paste for long braise.
  • 1 tablespoon Red Curry Paste Use 1:1 ratio. Skip if you want authentic Korean flavor or if strong aromatics clash.
  • 1 tablespoon Harissa Use 1 tablespoon harissa plus 1 teaspoon sugar. Skip if wanting authentic Korean flavor or dishes needing fermented funk.
  • 1 tablespoon Chipotle Adobo Use 1 tablespoon plus ½ teaspoon sugar. Skip for delicate sauces, cold dishes, or if smoke overpowers flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon Gochugaru Mix Use 1 tablespoon gochugaru plus 1 teaspoon honey and hydrate flakes with liquid. Skip if needing a wet paste immediately.

Method
 

  1. Choose the substitute based on your dish type and ingredient availability, preferring doenjang plus honey for closest Korean flavor.
  2. Prepare each substitute as indicated: mix with honey or sugar when needed, hydrate dry flakes, or purée for smoothness.
  3. Apply the substitute using the specified ratio compared to gochujang in your recipe.
  4. Adjust seasoning and sweetness incrementally, tasting for balance.
  5. For best results, consider the cooking method: avoid high heat for miso mix; add gochugaru early to hydrate; reduce vinegar if using chipotle adobo.

Notes

Add honey slowly to doenjang to avoid overly sweet or gritty texture and preserve depth in savory dishes.

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