고추장 vs 된장

Gochujang vs doenjang vs ssamjang

Search landing for the three Korean pastes: heat vs funk vs wrap sauce, when not to swap, and links to the full compare table.

FAQ

0 Heat: n/a Vegetarian: yes

Quick answer

Gochujang = sweet-hot fermented chili paste. Doenjang = salty soybean funk for stews. Ssamjang = table dip mixing both. Full matrix and FAQs: jang compare. Localized: 한국어 · 日本語 · 中文.

Do not swap in these dishes

Doenjang jjigae needs doenjang.
Tteokbokki and bibimbap sauce need gochujang.
Lettuce wraps want ssamjang (or a quick mix).

Shopping

gochujang
doenjang
ssamjang

FAQ

Is gochujang the same as doenjang?

No. Same soybean family history, opposite everyday uses — one is chili-sweet, one is salt-funk.

Can I use miso for either?

Brown miso approximates doenjang in a stew. Nothing honest replaces gochujang in tteokbokki.

Also cook

Gochujang vs doenjang vs ssamjang Working with gochujang Korean ingredient substitutions — the matrix for cooking abroad