CJ Haechandle Gochujang – Hot Pepper Paste, Korean Traditional Fermented Jang, Made with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sweet & Spicy Flavor, 1.1 Lb (Pack of 1)

Tasty, smell delicious. Mouth watering .

UPDATE 04/12/2024: My second order came damaged (see the photos). Amazon needs to work with the seller to come up with a solution to reduce damaged packaging, as the reviews show this to be a common problem. I originally gave this 5 stars, but I’m reducing to 3 stars until Amazon and seller let us know they have addressed this common issue of damaged goods. Amazon first showed this item was not eligible for a replacement, but working with their Assistance, they are sending a free replacement. I’ll update here when new product arrives.

ORIGINAL REVIEW : I have a Korean friend who used to make all kinds of delicious food and she used this gochujang. I saw all the reviews and many spoke of how blistering hot this is, so I thought it must be different than what my friend used.
Ordered it. It showed up in 2 days and thankfully my package was not damaged or missing a lid like some of the other reviewers.
Opened the corner and gave a good sniff, and it immediately transported me back in time to all those amazing Korean dishes my friend made. But I was still curious about the heat level. So I made an instant ramen package and added a tablespoon of this gochujang while it was cooking. The aroma filled my kitchen and I could barely wait the three minutes for it to finish cooking.
I prepared myself for the intense heat and took my first bite. Instantly my mouth was full of this rich, deep, intense flavor and then…. Nothing. I mean, yeah, it was a little spicy… it’s gochujang. But no crying, no wailing, no gnashing of teeth. On a scale of 1-10, this is a 5. Maybe a 6. Let’s call it 5.5. I’m assuming those who found this very hot have a very low tolerance for spicy foods. But in the real world, this is nowhere near something like a Thai chili or a ghost pepper. Now, THAT’S spicy! If you eat Tabasco sauce, you will be able to handle the heat level of this gochujang, no problem.
Now, back to flavor. I can’t wait to smother some chicken wings in this sauce. Mix half and half with ketchup and dip your fries. Add to soups and stews for a kick of Korean flavor. Or be adventurous and look up some authentic Korean recipes for an international dinner. This stuff is the real deal!

I usually buy a different brand from my local H Mart but decided to give this one a try. I did not like the taste of it though, I thought it was on the bland side a little and tasted more like refried beans. The other one I buy has a spicy and tangy sweetness to it, so I guess I will stick with the other one.

First, the bad: my tub arrived with no lid, so I had to transfer it to another container…two other containers. It stretches. It’s also a bit pricey for the amount you get. Then again, it stretches.
Now, the good: the flavor is fantastic! It’s gloopy and stretchy and sweet and spicy and sneaks up on you. For those who haven’t tried a lot of Asian condiments and such, it’s similar in consistency to a good Mexican mole, but with a flavor profile unlike much of anything else. After tasting it straight, just a little nip, the sweetness slowly faded, but the back-of-the-tongue heat lingered for a solid hour and through multiple drinks (not trying to diminish it, as it’s really not an unbearable burn, but just thirsty). I’d describe the slow burn on it as being similar to a chipotle salsa or diluted wasabi. As for what it tastes like, that’s pretty much unique to the product itself. Mixed with other sauces or vinegars, tempered with ginger and a touch of honey, even as an additive for barbecue sauce, this stuff can add a little magic to just about any dish, including various meats, vegetarian or vegan dishes, and even candies when used sparingly.
*Note: I notified Amazon upon receipt of the tub with the missing lid, and a replacement was immediately processed. Fantastic customer service for a wonderful product.

I started trying to cook more korean food and i’ve noticed this is ingredient in a lot of korean foods. it adds a bit of spice and sweetness. can use it to add a nice marinade and give a korean flair to a lot of items