Gochugaru

Korean red pepper flakes — sun-dried, coarsely ground, and the backbone of kimchi, stews, and most Korean seasoning.

Gochugaru is not the same as regular chili flakes. It's made from sun-dried Korean red peppers, ground to a coarse or fine texture depending on the use. The coarse flakes go into kimchi, stews, and seasoning pastes. The flavor is fruity and slightly sweet with moderate heat — nothing like cayenne or crushed red pepper. It's the single most important spice in Korean cooking. Buy the coarse-ground version for most recipes. Store it in the freezer to keep the color and flavor fresh.

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9 Gochugaru Substitutes That Actually Work

Can't find gochugaru? These 9 substitutes actually work — with exact ratios for kimchi, stews, stir-fries, and marinades. Tested in real Korean recipes.

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