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Ssamjang (Sauce for Korean Lettuce Wraps)
4.6 from 87 votes

Ssamjang (Sauce for Korean Lettuce Wraps)

Ssamjang is a traditional Korean dipping sauce made primarily with fermented soybean paste and chili paste. This version includes garlic, sugar, sesame oil, and sesame seeds, with optional fresh vegetables and nuts for added texture. A warm, cooked variation incorporates tuna and sautéed aromatics. The sauce blends savory, spicy, and nutty flavors, often served alongside lettuce wraps or grilled meats to add rich umami and balanced heat.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Servings: 4
Course: Side Dish, Condiments
Cuisine: Korean

Ingredients

For basic ssamjang (no-cook)
  • 2 tablespoons doenjang Korean fermented soybean paste, 된장
  • 1 tablespoon gochujang Korean red chili pepper paste, 고추장
  • 1 teaspoon garlic minced
  • 1/2 tablespoon sugar or to taste, or honey or oligodang
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon water or use more for a desired thickness, or rice wine, to thin the sauce
Optional ingredients for no-cook ssamjang (use any or all of the listed ingredients)
  • 1 tablespoon onion finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon scallions finely chopped
  • 1/2 tablespoon green chili pepper finely chopped
  • 1/2 tablespoon red chili pepper finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons nuts chopped (almonds, walnuts, peanuts, etc
For Tuna Ssamjang
  • 1 tuna See note for other options, canned, about 5 ounces
  • 2 tablespoons onion finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons scallions finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons doenjang Korean fermented soybean paste, 된장
  • 1 tablespoon gochujang Korean red chili pepper paste, 고추장
  • 1 tablespoon sugar or honey or oligodang
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil

Instructions

For basic ssamjang
    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine all the ingredients and mix well until everything is well incorporated.
  2. If using optional ingredients, prepare the ingredients, combine and mix everything well.
For tuna ssamjang
  1. Preheat a small pan with a tablespoon of oil. Add the onion, scallion and garlic and stir fry until the onion is cooked.
  2. Add the tuna, doenjang, gochujang and the remaining ingredients. Stir well for a few minutes until everything is well incorporated. You can stir in some water or rice wine (or mirin) if the sauce seems dry (2 to 3 tablespoons).

Notes

  • Substitute tuna with other canned fish, ground meat, or crushed tofu to vary texture and protein source.
  • Adjust water or rice wine amount to achieve the desired sauce thickness.
  • Optional finely chopped vegetables and nuts add crunch and freshness to the no-cook sauce.