Sempio Gochujang

Sempio Gochujang is a traditional Korean fermented red chili paste made from gochutgaru (chili powder), glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt. The slow fermentation process gives it a complex profile that is simultaneously sweet, spicy, and deeply savory.

It is produced by Sempio, a major South Korean food and condiment company that was founded in 1946. Sempio is one of the oldest and most trusted commercial brands for soy sauce and fermented pastes in Korea.

It is highly versatile and can be mixed into marinades for meats like bulgogi, stirred into stews, or used to make the spicy dipping sauce for tteokbokki. It is also frequently combined with doenjang (soybean paste) to create ssamjang for lettuce wraps.

While it provides a definite kick of heat, traditional gochujang is known for being balanced by a mild, lingering sweetness from the glutinous rice. The heat level is generally moderate, making it a foundational flavor builder rather than just a hot condiment.