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Ssamjang (Sauce for Korean Lettuce Wraps)

Ssamjang is a Korean sauce for lettuce wraps. Learn how to make a basic ssam sauce and a variation made with canned tuna.

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

  • You can add other canned fish. Also, substitute tuna with ground meat or crushed tofu.