Hidden ingredients in Korean food
Gochujang (chili paste)
고추장
What it is
Fermented red chili paste. Many brands contain wheat and soy. It is in bibimbap sauce, tteokbokki, spicy stir-fries and dipping sauces.
Allergies and diets it can affect
- Wheat
- Soy
- Gluten avoidance
Products differ. Check the label or ask staff; this list is general.
Ask staff in Korean
고추장이 들어가나요?
Show this line. Your Food Card asks it for every item you avoid. My card
Dishes in BapCheck whose usual recipe can include it (12)
From each dish's general recipe, not a specific restaurant. Other dishes may use it too.
Bibimbap비빔밥 bi-bim-bap
Rice, Seasoned vegetables, Minced or sliced beef, Fried egg…
Usually contains: Soy, Wheat, Sesame +4
Sometimes contains: Fish
Some places may adjust
Dolsot Bibimbap (Hot Stone Bibimbap)돌솥비빔밥 dol-sot bi-bim-bap
Rice, Seasoned vegetables, Beef, Raw or fried egg…
Usually contains: Soy, Wheat, Sesame +4
Sometimes contains: Fish
Some places may adjust
Kimchi Fried Rice김치볶음밥 gim-chi bok-keum-bap
Rice, Kimchi, Pork, ham or spam, Fried egg…
Usually contains: Fish, Shrimp/crab, Egg +2
Sometimes contains: Pork, Soy, Wheat +1
Dakgalbi (Spicy Stir-fried Chicken)닭갈비 dak-gal-bi
Chicken thigh, Gochujang sauce, Cabbage, sweet potato, Rice cakes…
Usually contains: Chicken, Soy, Wheat +4
Sometimes contains: Dairy
Jeyuk Bokkeum (Spicy Pork Stir-fry)제육볶음 je-yuk bok-keum
Pork, Gochujang, Onion, cabbage, Soy sauce…
Usually contains: Pork, Soy, Wheat +3
Yangnyeom Chicken (Sweet Spicy Fried Chicken)양념치킨 yang-nyeom chi-kin
Fried chicken, Gochujang or chili sauce, Corn syrup, ketchup, Garlic…
Usually contains: Chicken, Wheat, Soy +3
Sometimes contains: Peanut, Sesame, Egg +1
Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes)떡볶이 tteok-bok-ki
Rice cakes, Gochujang and chili flakes, Fish cakes, Anchovy and kelp broth…
Usually contains: Wheat, Soy, Fish +2
Sometimes contains: Egg, Sesame, Dairy +1
Bibim Naengmyeon (Spicy Cold Noodles)비빔냉면 bi-bim naeng-myeon
Buckwheat and starch noodles, Gochujang sauce, Boiled egg, Cucumber, pear…
Usually contains: Buckwheat, Wheat, Egg +4
Sometimes contains: Beef
Some places may adjust
Bibim Guksu (Spicy Mixed Noodles)비빔국수 bi-bim guk-su
Thin wheat noodles, Gochujang, vinegar, sugar, Kimchi, Cucumber…
Usually contains: Wheat, Soy, Sesame +2
Sometimes contains: Egg, Fish, Shrimp/crab
Some places may adjust
Ojingeo Bokkeum (Spicy Stir-fried Squid)오징어볶음 o-jing-eo bok-keum
Squid, Gochujang and chili flakes, Onion, carrot, cabbage, Soy sauce…
Usually contains: Squid/clam, Soy, Wheat +3
Sometimes contains: Pork
Nakji Bokkeum (Spicy Stir-fried Octopus)낙지볶음 nak-ji bok-keum
Small octopus, Gochujang and chili flakes, Onion, scallion, Soy sauce…
Usually contains: Squid/clam, Soy, Wheat +3
Hoe (Korean Raw Fish)회 hoe
Raw fish, Chogochujang, Soy sauce and wasabi, Lettuce, garlic
Usually contains: Fish, Garlic, onion, scallion, chives
Sometimes contains: Soy, Wheat, Squid/clam +2
Source: BapCheck's general recipe notes for 69 dishes. Not an official allergen table and not a restaurant check.