Essential Ingredients for Making Gukbap at Home

Building a Korean pantry is the first step to making great gukbap at home. Here are the essential ingredients every gukbap cook should have, along with our top Amazon picks.

The Essentials

1. Gochugaru (Korean Red Pepper Flakes)

고추가루 — The foundation of Korean spicy cooking. Gochugaru has a different flavor profile than other red pepper flakes — it’s slightly sweet, smoky, and less intensely hot than cayenne.

Use in gukbap: Sprinkled on top of any gukbap for color and mild heat

2. Gochujang (Korean Chili Paste)

고추장 — A fermented chili paste that’s sweet, spicy, and funky all at once. Essential for many Korean dishes.

Use in gukbap: Mixed into the broth for a spicy kick, or served on the side

3. Doenjang (Soybean Paste)

된장 — Korean fermented soybean paste, similar to Japanese miso but earthier and more pungent. Essential for vegetarian gukbap.

Pick: Sempio Doenjang (14 oz) — the most trusted brand in Korea

4. Saeujeot (Salted Fermented Shrimp)

새우젓 — Tiny salted shrimp used as a seasoning and dipping sauce. It’s a critical condiment for dwaeji gukbap — the salty, funky flavor cuts through the rich pork broth perfectly.

Pick: Assi Brand Saeujeot (10 oz)

5. Dashima (Dried Kelp)

다시마 — Dried kelp sheets used to make vegan/vegetarian broth. Essential for kongnamul gukbap and temple-style soups.

Pick: Bibigo Dashima (1.5 oz, ~20 sheets)

6. Deulkkae-garu (Perilla Seed Powder)

들깨가루 — Toasted perilla seed powder, which adds a nutty, earthy flavor to sundae gukbap and seolleongtang.

Pick: Jinmi Deulkkae-garu (8 oz)

7. Chamgireum (Sesame Oil)

참기름 — Toasted sesame oil is used as a finishing oil for almost every gukbap. A drizzle before serving adds an incredible aroma.

Pick: Ottogi Premium Sesame Oil (3.4 oz)

Complete Starter Pantry

Budget-Friendly Tips

• Buy gochugaru in bulk — It keeps for months in the freezer
• Dashima lasts forever — A single pack can make 50+ batches of broth
• Saeujeot goes a long way — A little jar lasts for months
• Doenjang is versatile — Use it for soups, sauces, and marinades beyond gukbap