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Gochujang is on more UK shelves every year. Which shelf depends on whether your store treats it as an ingredient or a sauce.
Which aisle is gochujang in?
Gochujang is in the world food aisle of UK supermarkets, on the shelf with the Korean and Japanese ingredients near the soy sauce and sesame oil. Some stores instead put the squeezy bottles with the Asian cooking sauces and marinades. It is an ambient product, so it is not in the chiller.
Where to look, supermarket by supermarket
Larger Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Asda and Morrisons branches carry it. Work through these spots in order.
- World food aisle, Korean or Japanese section. Red tubs and squeezy bottles near the soy sauce. The usual spot.
- Asian cooking sauces. Some chains shelve the squeezy bottles with the stir fry and marinade jars instead.
- Table sauces and condiments. A few stores now treat gochujang as a hot sauce and put it with sriracha.
- Meal kit or fakeaway bay. Seasonal displays sometimes pull it out of the world food aisle entirely.
Aisle numbers vary between branches of the same chain, so the section is more reliable than a number. Express, Local and Metro shops seldom carry it.
How to find the exact aisle in your store
Search the product in the supermarket app before you travel. The Tesco Grocery and Clubcard app shows product location and live stock for the store you select, and can order a shopping list by aisle. Checking first beats walking the world food aisle twice.
Tub or squeezy bottle?
| Tub | Squeezy bottle | |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Thick paste, holds its shape | Thinner, pours |
| Strength | Deeper and more fermented | Often sweetened and diluted |
| Use for | Cooking, marinades, stews | Dipping and drizzling |
| Value | Better per gram | Convenient, costs more |
Buy the tub if you are cooking. Korean tubs carry a heat rating, usually one to five, so you can pick your level rather than guess.
What to ask a member of staff
Say gochujang and add Korean chilli paste. Asking only for chilli paste points people at harissa or the Thai curry pastes, and asking for Korean chilli sends them to gochugaru, which is dried flakes and a different product.
Korean and Asian supermarkets
A Korean grocer is the better trip if you cook Korean food regularly. The tubs are far bigger, the price per gram is much lower, and you get the full spread of heat levels and brands rather than a single supermarket line.
Look in the same aisle as the doenjang and ssamjang. The three usually sit together.
Buying gochujang online
Gochujang keeps for a long time and needs no refrigeration in transit, so it posts easily and a large tub bought online usually beats the supermarket on price per gram. Supermarket delivery covers you if you only want a small one.
Storing it
Keep the tub in the fridge once opened and press the surface flat so less air sits on it. It keeps for months. The colour darkens over time and the paste stiffens in the cold, which is normal, and a spoon of water loosens it again.
Frequently asked questions
Which aisle is gochujang in at Tesco?
The world food aisle, with the Korean and Japanese ingredients. If it is not there, check the Asian cooking sauces. Aisle numbers differ between branches, so search the product in the Tesco app for your store rather than relying on a number.
Do all supermarkets sell gochujang?
Larger branches of the main chains do. Smaller stores often do not, and the range is usually one brand where they do. A big branch or a Korean grocer is the safer trip.
Is gochujang the same as gochugaru?
No. Gochugaru is dried chilli flakes or powder and sits with the spices. Gochujang is a wet fermented paste in the world food aisle. Swapping one for the other does not work.
Does gochujang need refrigerating?
Once opened, yes. It is sold from an ambient shelf but most labels ask you to refrigerate after opening. It will keep for months that way.
Is gochujang very hot?
Milder than most people expect. The sugar and fermentation round the chilli off. Korean tubs are graded from mild to very hot, so start at the low end if you are unsure.
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- Gochujang paste. If your local shops do not stock it.
