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Home Condiments and Sauces

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guk ganjang in glass gravy boat on wood board

Soy Sauce for Soups

Korean Name: 국간장

Romanization: Guk Ganjang

Also Known As: Joseon Ganjang (조선간장)

Flavor Profile/Texture:

Strong Salty Umami

Substitutes:

Soy sauce (dark) + salt, fish sauce

Goes well with:

soups, namul

What is Soy Sauce for Soups (Guk Ganjang) ?

This Korean soy sauce is made during the process of making Doenjang. Fermented soybean is placed in brine to make doenjang. Once completed, The solids become doenjang, and the remaining liquid becomes soup soy sauce. It is lighter in color than traditional soy sauce, but is stronger and saltier in flavor, which allows it to flavor large pots of soup without disrupting the color and appearance of the dish. It is mainly used in soups and namul.

Not To Be Confused With

Soy Sauce (Jin Ganjang) or Kikkoman soy sauce

two side by side glass bowls of Jin Ganjang and Guk Ganjang
Jin Ganjang (Regular Soy Sauce - Left) vs Guk Ganjang (Soup Soy Sauce - Right)

Where and What To Buy

Korean grocery store, online, my Amazon store. 

  • Sempio 샘표 is the oldest and best brand to buy for soy sauces.
  • Search for 'Korean Soup Soy Sauce' or Korean Soy Sauce for Soups'
    bottle of sempio joseon ganjang (soup soy sauce)
    Korean soy sauce for soup (Gukganjang or Joseon Ganjang)

 

How to Use/Cook

Use Guk Ganjang in soups and stews in addition to salt. It adds great flavor in addition to just saltiness. Also, use it to season namul vegetables. Guk Ganjang has a unique Korean flavor that can't be achieved with any other seasonings.

How to Clean/Store

Store in a cool dry area. Can be stored in the refrigerator, but is not necessary.

Nutrition/Health Info

  • High in salt content - it is even more saltier than regular soy sauce so just use a very small amount
  • Naturally Gluten-Free if it was naturally brewed
Click here to read more about Soy Sauce for Soups

Recipes that use it:

Perilla Kkaetnip Namul

Sauteed Perilla Side Dish (Kkaennip Namul) – Green Color Namul

close up of chwinamul sauteed aster scaber leaves in white dish

Chwinamul (Sauteed Aster Scaber)

Close up of Instant Pot Gamjatang finished in the pot

Instant Pot Gamjatang (Korean Spicy Pork Bone Stew)

A ladle of finished tteokguk inside Instant Pot

Instant Pot Korean Rice Cake Soup (Tteokguk)

Anchovy Broth Rice Cake Soup with Gyeran Jidan (Tteokguk ë–¡êµ­)

Korean Rice Cake Soup – Tteokguk for New Year!

korean crown daisy namul on hanbok plate on green mat

Korean Chrysanthemum Greens Recipe (Ssukat Namul)

spicy beef soup with egg added

Instant Pot Yukgaejang – Korean Spicy Beef Soup(육개장)

collage image of 4 different pics of dishes using korean soup soy sauce

14 Korean Soup Soy Sauce Recipes (Guk Ganjang)

Close up of gamjatang in white bowl individual size

Gamjatang (Spicy Pork Bone Stew with Potatoes)

Odeng Soup - Korean Fish Cake soup

Fish Cake Soup (Odeng Soup aka Eomuk Guk)

Beef and Radish Soup -Seogogi Mu Guk

Beef and Radish Soup (Korean Seogogi Mu Guk)

Kimchi Salad (Geotjeori) with Spring Cabbage (Bomdong)

Fresh Kimchi Salad with Spring Cabbage (Bomdong Geotjeori)

Healthy Zucchini Side Dish - Maleun Hobak Namul ( 마른 호박나물)

Healthy Zucchini Side Dish-Korean Maleun Hobak Namul (마른 호박나물)

3 colored vegetables- white, green and brown in 3 plates

Brown Gosari – Korean Samsaek Namul

Soy Sauce Chicken Dakdoritang with Chili Peppers and Colored Potatoes

Dakdoritang (Best Korean Chicken Stew)

Tteok Mandu Guk Korean rice cake soup with dumplings in white bowl on white mat

Tteok Mandu Guk – Korean Rice Cake Soup with Dumplings in Beef Broth

Gochujang Hobahk Jjigae (Spicy Zucchini Stew)

Gochujang Hobak Jjigae (Spicy Korean Zucchini Stew)

Korean Ingredient Glossary!

Learn about over 100 popular Korean ingredients in our new ingredient glossary!

Explore Ingredients
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