Discover the top three Korean Dipping Sauces, how they are made, and how they are used to enjoy your Korean BBQ more!

Whenever I post recipes, one of the most common questions I get is “What’s the dipping sauce for that?” Finally, I will share the top three dipping sauces Koreans often make to enhance their meals.

Asians, in general, are big on dipping sauces. It can differ from as simple as using soy sauce to making an extensive one by making a combination of seasonings and aromatics. Either way, dipping sauce is very important as it can complement or elevate the main dish.

For Koreans, most of our dishes are actually very savory, but there are three main sauces that we often make—ssamjang, seasoned sesame oil, and cho ganjang, especially for Korean BBQ or pan-fried dishes.

#1 Ssamjang

Doenjang Jjigae, Bulgogi, and served with Lettuce, Peppers, and Ssamjang — Doenjang Jjigae, Bulgogi, served with Lettuce, Peppers, and Ssamjang

Ssamjang means ssam = “wrap” and jang = “sauce”. In Korean cuisine, there’s ssam, which is literally rice and protein (usually Korean BBQ) wrapped in lettuce (or any leafy vegetable), just like a burrito! So when you say ssamjang, it’s literally the sauce you put in a ssam.

This sauce is actually soybean paste seasoned with gochujang, aromatics, sweetener, and sesame oil. The combination yields a thick, chunky orange paste that’s mildly spicy, savory, and umami-filled.

This is delicious when made fresh, as you can control the saltiness and sweetness, but you can also easily buy these premade in Korean markets—this is usually in green tubs! Many brands make these, so you can simply try out which one of them makes the best.

With ssamjang, your meats in Korean BBQ can go unseasoned, and this alone can already add so much flavor and kick.

#2 Sesame Oil with Salt and Pepper

Spam Kimchi Jjigae, Samgyeopsal, and Sesame Oil with Salt and Pepper

Sesame oil is 100% an essential pantry ingredient in Korean cuisine. I believe locally made sesame oil is hands down one of the most golden ingredients in my kitchen. My mom usually gets them from Korea and gives some to me!

This amber-hued oil instantly elevates any dish. It especially complements the soy sauce or gochujang in marinades (ex. bulgogi) and stir fries (ex. japchae), it adds aroma to soups and stews (ex. tteokguk), and amazingly, it makes the combo of kimchi and pork belly even richer (ex. kimchi fried rice). It’s also used as a finishing touch to vegetable banchans, kimbap, or sauces, and for some reason, a small amount goes a really long way.

Pork belly, shoulder, jowl, or beef slices in Korean BBQ are often served unseasoned—a simple combination of sesame oil, salt, and pepper can instantly add aroma and flavor to the meat. Honestly, even with the fat coming from these cuts, a quick dip in sesame oil with salt and pepper makes a huge difference, although this is a milder option than ssamjang.

Just imagine olive oil is to Italians, so is sesame oil is to Koreans. That’s how much we love sesame oil!

#3 Cho Ganjang

Cho Ganjang means cho = “vinegar” and ganjang = “soy sauce”. This sauce is a contrasting combination of tangy and savory flavors, along with sugar for balance, pepper flakes for spice, scallions for freshness, and sesame seeds for texture. You can also add a bit of sesame oil for some earthiness.

This sauce can be used for Korean pancakes (ex. kimchi pancake, seafood pancake, vegetable pancake, etc.), dumplings, or even meat if you don’t like the strong or oily flavor of the other two sauces. This is like the middle of the two sauces in terms of flavor profile.

The vinegar in the sauce will nicely cut through any oil or fat, while the rest of the ingredients give a flavor boost and touch of freshness. It’s a more extensive sauce to make, but I promise it’s worth the effort.

Choosing the Best Sauce

When it comes to sauces, it is a personal preference. With these three usually served in Korean restaurants at the same time, you can always mix and match or simply stick with the one that gives you the most satisfaction to enjoy your meal.

Hope you try these out at home and find the one that you enjoy the most!

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