UK Korean Ingredient Guide

Korean Ingredient Substitutes in the UK

A practical guide to Korean ingredients, where to buy them from ASDA, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Lidl, Aldi and Oseyo, and what to use when an exact Korean ingredient is hard to find.

How to use this guide

Use Oseyo, Seoul Plaza, Amazon or Korean grocery stores for pantry staples such as gochujang, doenjang, gochugaru, rice cakes and Korean tuna fish sauce.

Use ASDA, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Lidl and Aldi for fresh vegetables, meat, eggs, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil and emergency substitutes.

When a substitute is not close enough, the guide says so. Some Korean ingredients are easy enough to buy in the UK and are better used without substitution.

Best starting point

Build a small Korean pantry first: gochujang, gochugaru, doenjang, soy sauce, sesame oil, Korean tuna fish sauce, rice cakes, and spring onions or leek. With those, most Kecipe recipes become much easier to cook in the UK.

Browse recipes

Gochujang

고추장

ingredient

Also known as: Korean red pepper paste, chilli pepper paste
Where to buy in the UK: OseyoSeoul PlazaAmazonTescoSainsbury'sASDA
Buying or substitute note: No substitute recommended. Gochujang is easy enough to buy in the UK, so use the real paste for Korean flavour.
Use in: Tteokbokki, Dak-galbi, Bibimbap sauce, Spicy stews
Notes: Oseyo, Seoul Plaza and Amazon are reliable options. Larger Tesco, Sainsbury's and ASDA branches may also stock gochujang in the world food aisle.

Doenjang

된장

ingredient

Also known as: Korean soybean paste, Korean miso
Where to buy in the UK: OseyoSeoul PlazaAmazon
Buying or substitute note: No substitute recommended for doenjang-based recipes. It is easy to buy from Korean shops or Amazon.
Use in: Baechu guk, Doenjang-jjigae, Seasoned vegetables
Notes: Japanese miso can work in an emergency, but doenjang has a stronger, earthier flavour and is worth buying for Korean soups and stews.

Gochugaru

고춧가루

ingredient

Also known as: Korean red pepper powder, Korean chilli flakes
Where to buy in the UK: OseyoSeoul PlazaAmazon
Buying or substitute note: Chilli flakes can add heat in cooked dishes, but they are not recommended for kimchi because the flavour, colour and texture are different.
Use in: Kimchi, Dakgaejang, Tteokbokki, Seasoned banchan
Notes: For kimchi-style recipes, Oseyo gochugaru gives the closest colour, texture and flavour.

Korean rice cakes

떡

ingredient

Also known as: Tteok, tteokbokki rice cakes, tteokguk rice cakes
Where to buy in the UK: OseyoSeoul PlazaAmazon
Buying or substitute note: No close UK supermarket substitute. For dak-galbi you can skip them or use baby potatoes, but for tteokbokki use Korean rice cakes.
Use in: Tteokbokki, Dak-galbi, Rice cake soup
Notes: Tteokbokki rice cakes and tteokguk sliced rice cakes can both be used depending on the dish. Soak frozen rice cakes in warm water before cooking if they feel hard or cracked.

Napa cabbage

배추

ingredient

Also known as: Chinese leaf, Chinese cabbage
Where to buy in the UK: ASDAAmazonChinese grocery storesOseyo
Buying or substitute note: Use ASDA Savoy Cabbage as the main UK supermarket substitute.
Use in: Baechu guk, Kimchi, Cabbage side dishes
Notes: ASDA Savoy Cabbage works well for seasoned cabbage dishes and soups. Napa cabbage can also be found through Amazon or Chinese grocery stores.

Spring onion or leek

쪽파 / 대파

ingredient

Also known as: Green onion, large spring onion, pa
Where to buy in the UK: ASDASainsbury'sTescoLidlAldiOseyo
Buying or substitute note: Usually no special substitute is needed. Use spring onions for fresh kimchi and garnish, and leek for soups, stews and stir-fries.
Use in: Pa kimchi, Dakgaejang, Dak-galbi, Soup bases
Notes: Spring onions and leeks are easy to find in most UK supermarkets. Leek works well when sliced lengthwise and cooked until soft.

Korean tuna fish sauce

참치액

ingredient

Also known as: Tuna fish sauce, Korean tuna sauce, chamchi-aek
Where to buy in the UK: OseyoSeoul PlazaKorean grocery stores
Buying or substitute note: No direct UK supermarket substitute recommended. Buy Korean tuna fish sauce from a Korean grocery store when the recipe depends on it.
Use in: Kimchi, Dakgaejang, Seasoned banchan, Soups
Notes: This is different from general fish sauce. If you use fish sauce in an emergency, start with much less and adjust carefully.