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Gochugaru is far less common on UK supermarket shelves than everyday ingredients like soy sauce. Even large branches rarely stock it, so a specialist grocer or an online order is usually the more reliable route.
Which aisle is gochugaru in?
Where it exists at all in a mainstream supermarket, gochugaru sits in the world food aisle, in a small Korean or East Asian section alongside gochujang and kimchi. Most standard branches do not carry it at all, even where they stock a wide general world food range.
Where to look, supermarket by supermarket
Coverage is patchy across Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons and Waitrose. Work through these in order before giving up on a supermarket trip.
- World food aisle, Korean section, large branches only. A few big Tesco Extra and Sainsbury’s superstores keep a small Korean range that includes gochugaru, usually one mainstream brand in a small packet.
- Online supermarket delivery only. Some branches list it for delivery without stocking it on the physical shelf, so check the app even if the local store has none.
- Standard-size branches. Most do not stock it at all. Skip straight to a specialist grocer or an online order rather than checking every local shop.
Korean and Asian grocers
Korean and pan-Asian grocers such as H Mart, Wing Yip and Seoul Plaza, along with independent Korean shops in most major UK cities, stock several gochugaru brands side by side in both coarse and fine grind. This is the most reliable in-person option, and prices per bag are usually lower than a supermarket equivalent would be.
Buying gochugaru online
Gochugaru keeps well unopened, so it posts easily. Amazon and specialist Korean grocers both ship a wide range of brands and bag sizes, and are the simplest route if there is no Korean or Asian grocer nearby.
Coarse or fine: which to buy
| Grind | Best for |
|---|---|
| Coarse | Kimchi, banchan, sprinkling over finished dishes |
| Fine | Pastes, sauces, and marinades, including gochujang itself |
Buy coarse first if you are only getting one bag. It is the more common style and works well as a finishing sprinkle even outside Korean cooking.
Checking you have the right one
Look for the word gochugaru on the pack, sometimes written as Korean chilli powder or Korean red pepper flakes. Bright red colour and a coarse, flaky texture are good signs of quality. A dull, brownish colour usually means an older or lower grade batch.
Storing it
Keep it in an airtight container away from light and heat. A cool cupboard is fine for a few months, though the fridge or freezer keeps the colour and heat fresher for longer if you do not use it often.
Frequently asked questions
Do any UK supermarkets reliably stock gochugaru?
Not reliably. A handful of large branches carry a small Korean range that includes it, but most stores do not, even where they have a decent general world food aisle.
Can I use regular chilli flakes instead?
You can in a pinch, but the flavour changes, since regular chilli flakes are hotter and sharper without the fruity depth gochugaru has. See our gochugaru substitute guide for a closer match.
What size bag should I buy?
A small bag, around 100 to 200g, is enough to try it in kimchi and a few sauces. Move up to a larger bag once you know how often you will use it, since it stores well.
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- Gochugaru, coarse grind. For kimchi and everyday sprinkling.
- Gochugaru, fine grind. Better suited to pastes and sauces.
