Start cooking Korean food

Your first Korean pantry

Choose a dish you want to cook, then check what you already have. These four seasonings are useful across Korean recipes, but you do not need every one for your first meal.

Choose a first recipe

Four seasonings to get to know

Soy sauce · Jin-ganjang

A salty, savory base for marinades and sauces, including the bulgogi recipe below.

What to look for
Check the soy sauce type called for in the recipe. Jin-ganjang and soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang) are different products.
If you do not have it
A regular soy sauce can work in some marinades, but saltiness and flavor vary. Add gradually and taste.
Keeping it fresh
Follow the bottle’s instructions for storage after opening.
Ingredient guide and product details →

Toasted sesame oil

A nutty finishing seasoning for vegetable side dishes such as spinach namul.

What to look for
Look for toasted sesame oil when the recipe calls for its roasted aroma. Neutral cooking oil has a different role.
If you do not have it
A neutral oil does not replace its flavor. Check whether your chosen recipe allows you to leave it out.
Keeping it fresh
Keep the bottle tightly closed and follow its storage instructions.
Ingredient guide and product details →

Gochujang · Korean chili paste

A fermented paste that brings heat and savory sweetness to sauces, such as the tteokbokki sauce below.

What to look for
Choose gochujang paste rather than a ready-made dipping sauce. Check the heat level and ingredients on the tub.
If you do not have it
Gochugaru and hot sauce are not equal replacements for this paste. Use a recipe written for the substitute you have.
Keeping it fresh
Use a clean utensil and follow the label’s instructions after opening.
Ingredient guide and product details →
Product options by country

Your country

Start with a local Korean, Japanese or other Asian grocery store, or an online shop that delivers to your country.

United States

Weee! is a US shopping option. Check delivery for your ZIP code and the current product selection before ordering.

Chung Jung One O’Food Gochujang · 500 g

The brand and pack size shown in the ingredient photo. Check the current label, ingredients and heat level on the product page.

View product at Weee! →

Gochugaru · Korean chili flakes

Dried red chili used for kimchi, seasoned vegetables and sauces. The tteokbokki recipe below uses it alongside gochujang.

What to look for
Choose coarse flakes or fine powder according to the recipe. Heat level and grind vary between products.
If you do not have it
Generic chili powder may contain other seasonings. A different pure chili changes heat and flavor, so it is not an exact swap.
Keeping it fresh
Keep the pack tightly closed and dry, following the manufacturer’s storage instructions.
Ingredient guide and product details →
Product options by country

Your country

Start with a local Korean, Japanese or other Asian grocery store, or an online shop that delivers to your country.

United States

Weee! is a US shopping option. Check delivery for your ZIP code and the current product selection before ordering.

Jayone red chili powder, coarse · 220 g

Alternative brand to the Shinseonmi package shown above. This is coarse gochugaru; check whether your recipe calls for coarse flakes or a finer powder.

View product at Weee! →

Pick a dish before you shop

These are existing recipes with complete ingredient lists. Check the full recipe for vegetables, rice, meat and any extra seasonings before buying.

Make one useful shopping list

  1. Open a recipe and check its complete ingredient list.
  2. Check your cupboard before buying a new bottle or tub. Start with a pack you can use regularly.
  3. Save recipes to your Cooking Plan to see a combined shopping list. Ingredient pages explain product differences and show reviewed product options where available.
Open my Cooking PlanFind recipes with what I have →

Buying ingredients where you live

Look for Korean ingredients at a local Asian supermarket or an online shop that delivers to your country. Product links labeled United States are for US shopping; they do not imply worldwide delivery. Check ingredients, heat level, pack size and delivery availability on the seller’s page.

Browse all ingredient guides →