Korean Dictionary
How to say "Red pepper paste" in Korean
“Red pepper paste” in Korean is 고추장 (pronounced "Gochujang").
고추장
Gochujang
Usage & Context
A fundamental Korean condiment made from red chili peppers, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt. Used in countless Korean dishes including bibimbap, tteokbokki, and marinades. One of the three essential Korean fermented pastes alongside doenjang and ganjang.
Example Sentence
고추장은 한국 요리에 꼭 필요한 재료예요.
Gochujang is an essential ingredient in Korean cooking.
How to use 고추장 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Red pepper paste” is 고추장, romanized as Gochujang.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
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 고추장.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 'Go' (고), sounds like the English word 'go'. 'chu' (추) sounds like 'chew'. The last syllable, 'jang' (장), sounds like 'jong' in 'jongle' but with a softer 'j' sound.
More Example Sentences
Giving instructions on how to enjoy bibimbap.
비빔밥에 고추장을 듬뿍 넣어 비벼 먹어요.
Mix and eat bibimbap with plenty of gochujang.
Describing the flavor of a stew made with gochujang.
고추장찌개는 얼큰하고 맛있어요.
Gochujang jjigae is spicy and delicious.
Commenting on the spiciness or depth of flavor in a dish.
이 떡볶이 양념에 고추장이 많이 들어갔나 봐요.
It seems a lot of gochujang went into this tteokbokki sauce.
Cultural Context
Gochujang is one of the most fundamental and iconic condiments in Korean cuisine, alongside doenjang (fermented soybean paste) and ganjang (soy sauce). Its unique blend of spicy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors makes it indispensable in countless dishes, from bibimbap and tteokbokki to marinades and stews. Korean households often have a large tub of gochujang, sometimes homemade, reflecting its central role in daily cooking.
Editorial note
We review entries like 고추장 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
고추장 좀 더 주세요.
Please give me more gochujang.
고추장 없이 못 살아!
I can't live without gochujang!
이거 고추장 맛이 강하네.
This has a strong gochujang flavor.
Related Expressions
된장
Doenjang
Fermented soybean paste
간장
Ganjang
Soy sauce
쌈장
Ssamjang
Dipping sauce for ssam (lettuce wraps), often a mix of gochujang and doenjang
매운맛
Maeunmat
Spicy flavor
More Food Words
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