Ssamjang

A blended dipping sauce combining doenjang (Korean fermented soybean paste) and gochujang with garlic, sesame oil, and sometimes chopped onion or scallion, specifically formulated for wrapping in lettuce.

Flavor Profile

Savory, salty, and moderately spicy with a nutty sesame finish, more complex than gochujang alone.

Culinary Uses

Standard condiment for ssam (lettuce-wrapped grilled meat), spread onto the lettuce leaf before wrapping meat and rice.

Regional Variations

Ratios of doenjang to gochujang vary by region and restaurant; some versions add chopped walnuts or pine nuts for texture.

Storage

Refrigerate; keeps several weeks given the fermented base components.