Korean Dictionary
How to say "Anchovy Sauce" in Korean
“Anchovy Sauce” in Korean is 액젓 (pronounced "aekjeot").
액젓
aekjeot
Usage & Context
Aekjeot is a Korean fermented fish sauce made from anchovies or other small fish. It is an essential ingredient in making kimchi and adds depth of flavor to many Korean dishes.
Example Sentence
김치를 담글 때 액젓은 빠질 수 없다.
Aekjeot is indispensable when making kimchi.
How to use 액젓 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Anchovy Sauce” is 액젓, romanized as aekjeot.
Usage tip
Use this word with ordering phrases, taste descriptions, and polite requests when speaking in a restaurant.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 액젓.
Pronunciation Guide
액 (aek) sounds like 'eck' in 'neck'. 젓 (jeot) sounds like 'juh-t', with a soft 'j' and an unreleased 't' at the end. The two syllables flow together smoothly.
More Example Sentences
Sharing a cooking tip.
김치찌개에 액젓을 조금 넣으면 감칠맛이 살아나요.
If you add a little anchovy sauce to kimchi jjigae, the umami flavor comes alive.
Talking about a family cooking habit.
우리 엄마는 멸치액젓으로 나물 무침을 자주 하셔.
My mom often makes seasoned vegetable dishes with anchovy sauce.
Explaining a characteristic of the ingredient to someone new to it.
액젓 냄새가 좀 강해서 처음엔 익숙하지 않을 수 있어요.
The smell of anchovy sauce can be quite strong, so it might not be familiar at first.
Cultural Context
Aekjeot, or fermented fish sauce, is a cornerstone of Korean cooking, particularly for kimchi. While its pungent aroma might be strong to newcomers, it's crucial for adding a deep, savory umami flavor (감칠맛, gamchilmat) that can't be replicated. It's not just for kimchi; it's also used in various namul (seasoned vegetable dishes), soups, and stews, often replacing or complementing soy sauce to add a unique depth.
Editorial note
We test food and dining words like 액젓 inside ordering situations, because the natural Korean phrase often includes a polite request ending.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
액젓 넣다
to add anchovy sauce
액젓으로 간하다
to season with anchovy sauce
액젓 냄새
anchovy sauce smell
Related Expressions
멸치액젓
myeolchi aekjeot
anchovy sauce (specific type)
까나리액젓
kkanari aekjeot
sand lance sauce (another common type)
간장
ganjang
soy sauce (often used alongside or instead of aekjeot)
김치
kimchi
fermented cabbage (main use of aekjeot)
More Korean Food & Dining Words
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