Gochugaru Korean Chili Flake Inspiration
What Are Korean Red Pepper Flakes?
Korean Red Pepper Flakes are the result of sun-dried and crushed Korean Red Chili Peppers. Also known as Gochugaru, this wonderful Chili Flake is utilized in many different Korean Recipes.
These flakes are thought to have been introduced to Korea in the 16th century by introducing the chili pepper to the country. The specific terroir of the Korean Chili Pepper has become a vital role in the cuisine of Korea and you cannot find a taste like it elsewhere.
Beyond Korean food, this has also been used in a variety of ways to prepare meat, seafood and vegetable dishes. The heat, earthy and almost sweet flavor paired with an amazing aroma is what makes these Korean Chili Flakes a cook’s must have.
How Korean Chili Flakes Can Be Used
Our favorite use at Spiceology for these flakes is to make kimchi. These flakes are an integral part in Korean Kimchi, offering not only amazing flavor during the fermentation process but also adding heat and a deep red color. The flakes are also traditionally used in jjigae, a Korean stew, and gochujang which uses these to make an amazingly complex sauce for all sorts of applications.
Korean Red Pepper Flakes also work well in recipes that need heat and deep flavors. Working into sauces, marinades and rubs are all ideal.
The flakes pair well with vegetables or meat alike, so it’s just a matter of your spice tolerance and what exactly you are looking for. Korean Red Pepper Flakes are more earthy and sweeter than the Red Pepper Flakes you may be used to, so be sure to experiment with them as you cook with them!
Looking for Gochugaru Korean Chili Flake flavor inspiration? Try our Chicken Wings 3 Ways recipe.
The Spiceology Korean Chili Flakes
One of our favorite spices in the pantry, the Korean Chili Flake packs a flavor that is hard to beat. The earthy and sweet profile blended with an amazing aroma and coarse texture make these flakes a must have for any cook. Grab these when making your next batch of kimchi or jjigae and enjoy all they have to offer.