Description

Gochugaru gives Korean cooking its distinctive red colour, aromatic chilli character and a warmth that builds gently on the palate.

Spice Zen's Korean Gochugaru Seasoning takes this Korean pantry essential further, layering signature gochugaru with garlic, ginger and toasted sesame for smooth savoury depth, subtle nutty richness and a beautifully textured finish. Coarsely blended with visible chilli and sesame, this versatile salt-free seasoning is made for Korean barbecue, marinades, sauces, noodles, vegetables and rice.

Use it straight from the jar or combine it with rice and fermented soybean paste to create a rich, quick gochujang-style paste.

Flavour & Aroma Profile

Heat: Mild to medium

Flavour: Mellow, building chilli warmth with savoury garlic and ginger, rounded by sweet paprika and roasted sesame.

Aroma: Fragrant chilli with warm garlic, ginger and freshly toasted sesame.

Texture: Coarse and textural, with visible gochugaru and toasted sesame.

How to Use

Season or marinate: Start with 1 tablespoon per 500 g chicken, tofu or vegetables and adjust to taste.

Finish: Sprinkle ½–1 teaspoon per serve over rice, noodles, eggs and vegetables.
Sauces & marinades: Mix with tamari or soy sauce, rice vinegar and honey or your preferred sweetness.
Gochujang-style paste: Mix with cooked rice or rice flour, miso or doenjang and a little sweetness for a thick Korean chilli paste.
Soups & stews: Add gradually to Korean-style broths and stews according to the heat and colour you prefer.

Perfect For

Kimchi and quick kimchi
Korean BBQ and grilled meats
Bibimbap and rice bowls
Tofu, mushrooms and roasted vegetables
Noodles, ramen and stir‑fries
Marinades, dressings and dipping sauces
Gochujang‑style paste
Everyday cooking needing medium heat and sesame richness

Korean Culinary Heritage

Gochugaru is one of the defining ingredients of Korean cooking. The dried red chilli is used across kimchi, soups, stews, marinades and seasoning pastes, valued for both its vivid colour and distinctive chilli character.

It is also a central ingredient in gochujang, Korea's traditional fermented chilli paste. Traditional gochujang combines gochugaru with rice, fermented soybean or meju and salt, then develops its complex savoury character through fermentation.

Good to Know

Is it hot or spicy?
Mild to medium warmth, enough to give dishes a gentle Korean heat without overpowering them. Start lightly and build according to taste.

Is this pure gochugaru?
No. Gochugaru is the foundation, while garlic, ginger and toasted sesame turn it into a versatile Korean seasoning ready for cooking, marinating or finishing.

What makes gochugaru different from regular chilli flakes?

Gochugaru has a naturally fruity, sun‑dried chilli flavour with vibrant colour and a smooth, rounded heat. It’s the signature Korean chilli used in kimchi, barbecue and sauces.

Is gochugaru the same as gochujang?
No. Gochugaru is dried Korean chilli. Gochujang is a thick fermented paste traditionally made with gochugaru, rice, fermented soybean/meju and salt.

Can I make gochujang with this seasoning?
Yes, you can make an excellent quick non fermented gochujang-style paste. Add cooked rice or glutinous rice flour for body and miso or Korean doenjang for fermented soybean depth.

Does it contain onion, salt, sugar, preservatives or MSG?

No, just clean certified organic ingredients.

Is it vegan and gluten‑free?

Yes, ACO certified organic, vegan, gluten‑free and Coeliac Australia endorsed.

Presentation & Storage

ACO certified organic and gluten free endorsed by Coeliac Australia. Handcrafted in small batches and packed in a recyclable amber glass jar in our gluten-free Sydney facility using certified organic ingredients. Store tightly closed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Ingredients & Nutritional Information

Certified Organic Ingredients: Korean Gochugaru Pepper, Garlic, Sweet Paprika, Ginger, Sesame flour, Sesame seed.

Contains: Sesame.

Dietary Information:

Certified Organic by ACO License number 13230
Gluten Free; endorsed by Coeliac Australia
Vegan
Gently Roasted & ground spices
No Onion
Nut Free
No Corn or Soy
No MSG
No Added Salt or Sweetener
No Processing Aids or Anti Caking agents
No Added Flavours or Preservatives

Country of Origin: Made with imported ingredients; Roasted, ground & Packed in Sydney, Australia.

Recipe Inspirations & Pairings

Fruity gochugaru, toasted sesame and aromatic garlic and ginger bring vibrant Korean-style flavour to everyday cooking, from rice bowls and noodles to marinades and grilled dishes.

1. Quick Gochujang-Style Chilli Paste

Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients (Serves 4, about ¾ cup)

2 tablespoons Spice Zen Korean Gochugaru Seasoning
2 tablespoons glutinous rice flour
⅓ cup water (approx. 3 tbsp water)
2 tablespoons Korean doenjang or miso
1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce (optional gluten free)
1 tablespoon rice syrup, maple syrup or honey
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon Spice Zen Black sesame oil

Alternatively: Replace the glutinous rice flour and water with 3 tablespoons cooked glutinous rice, mashed or blended until smooth, adding 1–2 tablespoons warm water if needed.

Method

Whisk glutinous rice flour and water together in a small saucepan until smooth.
Cook over low-medium heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring continuously, until thick and glossy.
Stir in the Korean Gochugaru Seasoning and doenjang or miso.
Add tamari, sweetener, rice vinegar and sesame oil and mix until smooth.
Add a splash of warm water if needed for a thick, spoonable consistency.
Taste and adjust sweetness, salt or acidity as preferred.

Chef’s Tip: Glutinous rice flour gives the paste a smooth, slightly sticky body. Do not add it raw. Cooking it first removes the floury taste and develops the characteristic glossy texture.

2. Korean Gochugaru Chicken

Prep Time: 10 min; Marination Time: 40 min

Cook Time: 15 min; Total Time: 55 min

Ingredients

600 g boneless chicken thighs
1½ tablespoons Spice Zen Korean Gochugaru Seasoning
1 tablespoon Spice Zen coldpressed Black sesame oil
1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
2 teaspoons honey or brown sugar
2 spring onions, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

Method

Combine the Korean Gochugaru Seasoning, sesame oil, tamari and honey.
Add the chicken and coat well. Marinate for 20 minutes.
Heat a frying pan or grill over medium-high heat.
Cook the chicken until caramelised at the edges and completely cooked through.
Rest briefly, slice and finish with spring onion and sesame seeds.

Chef’s Tip: The marinade contains sugar, so use medium-high rather than very high heat to develop caramelised edges without scorching.

Vegetarian Option: Replace the chicken with 450 g firm tofu. Press and cube or slice the tofu, coat with the marinade and rest for 10 minutes. Pan-fry until golden and lightly caramelised.

3. Gochugaru Chilli-Roasted Vegetables

Prep Time: 10 min; Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients (Serves: 4)

600 g mixed vegetables, such as cauliflower, pumpkin, sweet potato, capsicum and zucchini
1½ tablespoons Spice Zen Cold-Pressed Sunflower Oil
1½ tablespoons Spice Zen Korean Gochugaru Seasoning
Salt, to taste
2 spring onions, thinly sliced, optional
Lemon wedge, to serve

Method

Preheat oven to 210°C fan-forced.
Cut the vegetables into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
Toss with the oil and Korean Gochugaru Seasoning until evenly coated.
Spread in a single layer on a large baking tray.
Roast for 20–25 minutes, turning once, until tender with lightly caramelised edges.
Season with salt to taste and finish with spring onion or sesame seeds if desired.

Chef’s Tip: Give the vegetables plenty of room on the tray. Add tofu cubes before roasting for a complete Korean‑style tray bake

Other Serving Inspirations

Sprinkle over steamed or fried rice
Toss through noodles with sesame oil and tamari
Stir into soups, broths and noodle bowls
Mix into marinades, dipping sauces and dressings
Sprinkle over eggs, avocado or roasted vegetables

Pair It With Spice Zen Cold-Pressed Oils

Spice Zen Cold-Pressed Sesame Oil: A natural choice for Korean-style marinades, noodles, rice bowls and dipping sauces.

Spice Zen Cold-Pressed Black Sesame Oil: Adds a deeper toasted sesame character to tofu, noodles and vegetable dishes.

Spice Zen Cold-Pressed Sunflower Oil: Ideal for stir-frying and roasting when you want the seasoning itself to remain prominent.

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Korean Gochugaru Seasoning

A vibrant Korean gochugaru seasoning with mild to medium warmth, toasted sesame richness, deep savoury character and coarsely blended for its distinctive colour and texture. Made for Korean barbecue, marinades, sauces, rice bowls and noodles, or transform it into a rich gochujang-style chilli paste.

Certified Organic|No Onion|No added Salt or Sugar|Vegan

$16.00

Tax included.

Size: 30 gm - 3 tbsp - 17 serves

30 gm 60 gm 95 gm

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