Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (2024)

Huy Vu Updated 4/1/22 Jump to Recipe

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (1)

There are so many elements when eating Korean food, especially Korean bbq, and dipping sauces are a big factor. For me, forgoing dipping sauce during KBBQ feels like there’s something missing with my meal–and it usually means I’m missing optimum flavor potential.

Learn how to make three popular Korean dipping sauces that are just as important as the meat. Luckily, these dipping sauces are super easy to make!

What are the dipping sauces at Korean BBQ?

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (2)

Let me show you three common Korean dipping sauces you might eat at your local Korean bbq at home or in a restaurant. These are definitely my favorite ones to eat. Each restaurant has its own spin on how to make each dipping sauce, but I’ve combined my favorite parts of these traditional sauces for these recipes.

Each sauce is meant to pair with various grilled meats and fresh veggies during your KBBQ meal, but they’re also eaten with other types of food too like Korean savory pancakes. But at the end of the day, each sauce is based on your preference so feel free to adjust ingredients as you go!

The three Korean BBQ dipping sauces we’ll cover are:

  • ssamjang dipping sauce
  • sesame oil, salt & pepper dipping sauce
  • brisket sauce

Ssamjang

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (3)

Ssamjang, aka wrap sauce, is a KBBQ staple. This dipping sauce is made for grilled pork belly during Korean bbq at home or the restaurant because it’s got a nice mildly spicy, savory, and nutty flavor.The two main components of ssamjang are doenjang (a fermented bean paste) and gochujang (red pepper paste), along with other ingredients like onions, garlic, sesame oil, rice syrup, and more.

Korean sesame oil dipping sauce

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (4)

This simple three-ingredient dipping sauce is anything but basic. You would think that dipping fatty pork belly or marbled brisket into more oil is an overload, but the nutty saltiness of this dipping sauce adds way more flavor on top of grilled meat.

All you need is roasted sesame oil, kosher (or sea) salt, and black pepper. Try to use a very shallow and wide dipping bowl so the sides don’t get in the way when dipping. If you use a deep bowl the salt and pepper will also be much harder to reach at the bottom, forcing you to dip way more sesame oil than intended.

Brisket sauce for Korean bbq (cho ganjang)

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (5)

For the longest time, I never knew the actual name of this dipping sauce, especially because when eating with my Korean friends, they just called it “brisket sauce.” When I finally started hosting my own KBBQ nights, I learned that its real name is cho ganjang.

It’s a slightly sweet, tangy, and savory sauce that’s made up of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, water, and other ingredients like garlic, onion, or gochugaru (chili pepper powder).

While you can most definitely eat it as a dipping sauce for savory Korean pancakes, fish cakes, and dumplings, it’s my favorite sauce for dipping grilled brisket (or really any grilled meat). While I prefer it with sliced garlic and jalapenos, you can also use sliced onions, a side of wasabi, ginger, or other ingredients to add a more savory flavor.

What is the most common dipping sauce?

One of the most popular and common Korean dipping sauces is ssamjang. This salty and slightly spicy sauce is becoming more and more popular due to chefs like David Chang, who featured his version of ssam sauce with his famous bo ssam dish. It’s also fairly common because it’s also dipping sauce for samgyupsal (Korean pork belly bbq) typically served during Korean BBQ.

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (6)

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (7)

Ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce)

5 from 3 votes

Make your own ssamjang at home for your next KBBQ dinner. You'll be able to customize this nutty, savory, and mildly spicy dipping sauce by adjusting the fermented soybean sauce or spicy paste.

PRINT PIN

BY: Huy Vu

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 0 minutes mins

0 minutes mins

Total: 10 minutes mins

SERVINGS: 2

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp doenjang fermented soybean paste
  • ½ tbsp gochujang add more if you like it spicy
  • 2 tbsp chopped onion
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp rice syrup
  • 1 clove garlic chopped
  • ½ tsp sesame seeds

Equipment Used

  • knife and cutting board

  • mixing bowl

Instructions

  • In a bowl, combine all the ingredients.

  • Stir to thoroghly mix. Taste and adjust based on your preference. For more saltiness, add more doenjang. For more heat, add more gochujang. For more sweetness, add more rice syrup or honey.

  • Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce)

Amount per Serving

Calories

73.61

% Daily Value*

Fat

2.28

g

4

%

Saturated Fat

0.32

g

2

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

0.95

g

Monounsaturated Fat

0.89

g

Sodium

389.52

mg

17

%

Potassium

37.75

mg

1

%

Carbohydrates

12.3

g

4

%

Sugar

6.73

g

7

%

Protein

2

g

4

%

Vitamin A

8.34

IU

%

Vitamin C

2.29

mg

3

%

Calcium

14.02

mg

1

%

Iron

0.42

mg

2

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Dipping Sauces

Cuisine: Korean

Keyword: kbbq, korean barbecue

Did you cook this recipe?Tag @HungryHuy or #hungryhuy–I’d love to see it!

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (11)

Sesame Oil & Salt Dipping Sauce

5 from 2 votes

This simple sesame oil sauce adds a nutty and salty flavor to any grilled meat for KBBQ.

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BY: Huy Vu

Prep: 1 minute min

Cook: 0 minutes mins

Total: 1 minute min

SERVINGS: 2

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp kosher or sea salt
  • tsp black pepper

Equipment Used

  • 2 dipping bowls

Instructions

  • In each dipping bowl, add half of the sesame oil.

  • Split the salt and black pepper in half and add them to each dipping bowl and serve.

Nutrition Facts

Sesame Oil & Salt Dipping Sauce

Amount per Serving

Calories

62.2

% Daily Value*

Fat

7

g

11

%

Saturated Fat

0.99

g

6

%

Monounsaturated Fat

2.78

g

Sodium

1162.77

mg

51

%

Potassium

1.9

mg

%

Carbohydrates

0.08

g

%

Fiber

0.03

g

%

Protein

0.01

g

%

Vitamin A

0.69

IU

%

Calcium

1.27

mg

%

Iron

0.02

mg

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Dipping Sauces

Cuisine: Korean

Keyword: kbbq

Did you cook this recipe?Tag @HungryHuy or #hungryhuy–I’d love to see it!

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (14)

Cho Ganjang (Brisket Sauce)

5 from 5 votes

This sweet and salty dipping sauce is best with brisket or other non-marinated meats.

PRINT PIN

BY: Huy Vu

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 0 minutes mins

Total: 5 minutes mins

SERVINGS: 2

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp filtered water
  • ½ tbsp rice vinegar
  • ½ tbsp cane sugar
  • ½ clove garlic sliced thinly
  • ¼ jalapeno sliced thinly optional

Equipment Used

  • cutting board and knife

  • mason jar with lid (or mixing bowl with a whisk)

Instructions

  • In a mason jar, combine all the ingredients and cover with a lid. Shake until the sugar has dissolved. You can also do this in a bowl and use a whisk to stir until dissolved.

  • Taste and adjust based on your preference. For more salt, add more soy sauce. For more acid, add more vinegar. For more sweetness, add more sugar. If the sauce is too strong, add half a teaspoon of water and adjust as you taste. Serve immediately or place in the fridge until use.

Nutrition Facts

Cho Ganjang (Brisket Sauce)

Amount per Serving

Calories

19.3

% Daily Value*

Fat

0.03

g

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

0.01

g

Sodium

503.41

mg

22

%

Potassium

26.57

mg

1

%

Carbohydrates

3.86

g

1

%

Fiber

0.14

g

1

%

Sugar

3.23

g

4

%

Protein

1.01

g

2

%

Vitamin A

18.93

IU

%

Vitamin C

2.31

mg

3

%

Calcium

3.86

mg

%

Iron

0.23

mg

1

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Dipping Sauces

Cuisine: Korean

Keyword: kbbq

Did you cook this recipe?Tag @HungryHuy or #hungryhuy–I’d love to see it!

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Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (17)

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (2024)

FAQs

What dipping sauce is used for Korean barbecue? ›

Ssamjang is an essential component of Korean barbecue. It's a simple, no-cook, stir-together dipping sauce that combines the savory funk of doenjang (fermented Korean soybean paste) with the sweet heat of gochujang.

What is the dipping sauce at Gen Korean BBQ? ›

Each have a unique flavor and texture that gives it the TOP 4 name. Gen also provides a variety of dipping sauces. They have the brown sauce (brisket sauce), sesame seed oil with a hint of salt, and green tea salt, and the “krazy sauce” which includes garlic, jalapeno, salad sauce, brisket sauce and hot sauce.

How do I use store bought Korean BBQ sauce? ›

Marinade: Marinate meat or seafood with the sauce for at least 30 minutes. One jar (16.9oz) of the sauce is good for marinating 5 lbs. of meat. Chicken & Salmon Glaze: Brush on sauce, to taste, while continuously flipping.

What are the different types of Korean BBQ sauce? ›

At a typical Korean restaurant, sauce #1 (Ssamjang) is served in a small bowl for sharing, while sauces #2 (Sesame oil, salt, and pepper sauce) and #3 (Wasabi and soy sauce) are provided individually to each person. These sauces are usually refilled for free as needed.

What are the three main Korean sauces? ›

The definitive examples include ganjang (soy sauce), doenjang (soybean paste), and gochujang (chili paste). Traditional Korean sauces all start with meju, which is made by pounding cooked soybeans and shaping them into blocks that are then fermented.

What is the famous Korean sauce? ›

Gochujang sauce is most often used in Korean recipes, but its sweet, spicy umami flavor is so delicious that you'll want to drizzle it over everything! As far as flavor goes, there's nothing like gochujang sauce.

What are the 4 sauces with BBQ? ›

What are the 4 Main Types of BBQ Sauce? Generally, barbecue sauces is categorized into four varieties: tomato-based sauces, vinegar-based sauces, mustard-based sauces, and mayonnaise-based sauces. Each category can have a range of BBQ sauce styles, ranging from sweet and tangy to hot and spicy.

What is KFC Korean BBQ sauce? ›

Korean BBQ: KFC describes this new flavor as “a sweet and savory umami sauce,” with soy sauce, garlic, sugar, and sesame. Sticky Chicky Sweet 'n Sour Sauce: This new sauce is described as “a balanced combination of sweet and tangy flavors, including pineapple, garlic, vinegar, and chili.”

What is original Korean sauce? ›

An iconic Korean condiment made by quality fermentation, a world-famous Korean heritage. Perfect as a dipping, marinade or sauce, Gochujang Korean Chili Sauce adds a unique and intricate flavour combination of savouriness, spiciness and a hint of natural sweetness to any dish.

What is the best Korean barbecue sauce? ›

Ssamjang (쌈장) and the sesame oil dipping sauces are both tied for my favorite, since they pair really well with any meat. The soy based dipping sauce is a recent addition to the sauce medley just to add a little bit more salt and flavor to the KBBQ experience at home!

What is the difference between Korean BBQ sauce and regular BBQ sauce? ›

The main difference between Korean BBQ sauce and a more traditional American BBQ sauce is going to be the base. That's because this sauce uses soy sauce as a base rather than your American tomato-style base. Because of this, it's going to be a thinner sauce with a bold savory flavor and a punch of heat.

How long does Korean BBQ sauce last in the fridge? ›

For the freshest tasting sauce, we recommend using the sauces within one month of opening.

Is gochujang the same as Korean BBQ? ›

Traditional Korean BBQ sauce typically contains soy sauce, which is commonly made from fermented soybeans and wheat. Many Korean BBQ Sauce recipes also contain gochujang which is sometimes thickened with wheat flour or wheat starch.

What is the Japanese version of Korean BBQ? ›

Yakiniku-style Japanese BBQ is a popular style of grilling that originated in Japan in the early 20th century. It is derived from the Korean BBQ tradition of bulgogi, which was introduced to Japan by Korean immigrants in the 1920s. The term "yakiniku" literally means "grilled meat" in Japanese.

What is the Korean hot sauce called? ›

Gochujang, a fundamental ingredient in Korean cooking, is a thick and spicy-sweet crimson paste made from red chile pepper flakes, glutinous rice (also known as sticky rice), fermented soybeans, and salt.

What sauces are used in Korean food? ›

  • BEKSUL GALBI PORK MARINADE SAUCE 290G. ...
  • BEKSUL SPICY BULGOGI SAUCE FOR PORK 290G. ...
  • BIBIGO HOT & SPICY CHICKEN & LAMB SAUCE - 490G. ...
  • BIBIGO VEGAN SSAMJANG SEASONED SOYBEAN PASTE - 170G. ...
  • CJ APPLE VINEGAR 500ML. ...
  • CJ BEKSUL BEEF RIB MARINADE SAUCE 500G. ...
  • CJ BEKSUL SWEET & SPICY TOPOKKI HOT SAUCE 150G 韓式炒年糕醬

Do you dip kimbap in anything? ›

But if you have leftovers, dip the whole or sliced rolls in salted whisked eggs and pan-fry them in a nonstick skillet with a teaspoon of vegetable oil. This is the best way of heating up day-old kimbap—other methods will prove inadequate and you'll end up with a mushy mess in your hands.

What are Korean BBQ garnishes? ›

Common Korean garnishes to have available at your party include: fresh green Korean chilies, sliced garlic cloves, scallions, toasted sesame seeds, lime, beet juice, soy sauce, sriracha, and more.

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