Korean Sweet Tangy Soy Dipping Sauce (2024)

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Learn how to make an addictive and versatile Korean sweet tangy soy dipping sauce!

Korean Sweet Tangy Soy Dipping Sauce (1)

Today I’m sharing a very versatile Korean dipping sauce recipe. I normally use this sauce with my various Korean pancakes (Buchimgae and Pa-Jeon:Kimchi pancakes, Korean squid pancakes, Korean potato pancakes, Korean oyster pancakes, Tuna cakes, Enoki mushrooms pancakesand gochujang pancakes)and also with Korean dumplings (Mandu:Kimchi dumplings and Fried frozen dumplings).

This sauce really boosts the overall flavour of these individual dishes and I must say, it’s very addictive! Its slightly sweet and tangy flavour dilutes the oiliness of pancakes and dumplings.

I normally make this in two different ways by adding different optional ingredients (but still serve them both at the same time).

Korean Sweet Tangy Soy Dipping Sauce (2)

Sweet tangy soy dipping sauce served with Korean green onion pancakes (Pa-Jeon, 파전)

The first version is a kid (or non-spicy food lover) friendly version and the other one is a spicy version. I will share both methods below. The below ingredients are enough for 6 to 8 extra large pancakes, so if you make more than you need, just store them in the fridge for later use (if kept in an air tight glass container they can last for a few weeks).

I hope you give this a try with your next Korean pancakes or Korean dumplings!

Ingredients for Korean Soy Dipping Sauce(Serves 8)

Korean Sweet Tangy Soy Dipping Sauce (3)

Base sauce

Optional

  • 10g (0.4 ounces) thinly sliced onion pieces
  • 1/2 tsp Korean chilli flakes (Gochugaru) – You can add more for extra spiciness.
  • 1/2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 tsp roasted sesame seeds
  • 1/2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp (heaped) finely chopped green onion – You can add more if you like.
  • 1 Green or red chilli – I didn’t use this, but if you want to make it extra spicy sauce, you can add it.

*1 Tbsp = 15ml

** If you want to learn more about Korean cooking ingredients, check my30 essential Korean cooking ingredients list!

How to Make Korean Soy Dipping Sauce

-For base sauce

Mix these in a bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves.(I normally prepare the sauce one day before I’m making the pancakes and keep it refrigerated. The sugar will be dissolved overnight even if you don’t stir it. You can also lightlyboil the sauce over low heat (or microwave it) just until the sugar dissolves to quicken the process. It will have to be cooled down before use.)

-For kids friendly (non-spicy) version

Mix 7 Tbsp of the base sauce and sliced onion pieces. (Even if you don’t eat the onion slices, still add them as they add a nice extra flavour.) Serve as you need.

Korean Sweet Tangy Soy Dipping Sauce (4)

-For spicy version

Mix remainder (7 Tbsp) of base sauce and the rest of the optional ingredients. Mix them well.(Frankly speaking, thiscombination isn’t that spicy to my taste buds. Maybe occasional kicks near the end. Adjust the spiciness with Korean chilli flakes and/or green/red chilli as suggested above according to your desire.) Serve as you need.

Korean Sweet Tangy Soy Dipping Sauce (5)
Korean Sweet Tangy Soy Dipping Sauce (6)

Korean Sweet Tangy Soy Dipping Sauce (7)

Super easy and versatile Korean dipping sauce

5 from 18 votes

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Course: Side dishes

Cuisine: Korean

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 24kcal

Author: Sue | My Korean Kitchen

Ingredients

Base sauce

  • 2 Tbsp raw sugar
  • 4 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 4 Tbsp water
  • 4 Tbsp rice vinegar , (or white vinegar)

Optional

  • 10 g onion (0.4 ounces), thinly sliced
  • 1/2 tsp Korean chili flakes (gochugaru), You can add more for extra spiciness.
  • 1/2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 tsp toasted sesame seeds
  • 1/2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp finely chopped green onion (heaped), – You can add more if you like.
  • 1 green or red chili (optional), I didn’t use this, but if you want to make it extra spicy sauce, you can add it.

Instructions

For base sauce

  • Mix these in a bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves. (I normally prepare the sauce one day before I'm making the pancakes and keep it refrigerated. The sugar will be dissolved overnight even if you don't stir it. You can also lightly boil the sauce over low heat just until the sugar dissolves to quicken the process. It will have to be cooled down before use.)

For kids friendly (non-spicy) version

  • Mix 7 Tbsp of the base sauce and sliced onion pieces. (Even if you don’t eat the onion slices, still add them as they add a nice extra flavour.) Serve as you need.

For spicy version

  • Mix remainder (7 Tbsp) of base sauce and the rest of the optional ingredients. Mix them well. (Frankly speaking, this combination isn’t that spicy to my tastebuds. Maybe occasional kicks near the end. Adjust the spiciness with Korean chili flakes and/or green/red chili as suggested above according to your desire.) Serve as you need.

Notes

1 Tbsp = 15 ml

Nutrition Info (per serving)

Calories: 24kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 524mg | Potassium: 19mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 35IU | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.2mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Tried this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Rate this recipe with a comment below and tag me on Instagram @MyKoreanKitchen.

Korean Sweet Tangy Soy Dipping Sauce (2024)

FAQs

What is the dipping sauce at Korean barbecue? ›

At a typical Korean restaurant, sauce #1 (Ssamjang) is served in a small bowl for sharing, while sauces #2 (Sesame oil, salt, and pepper sauce) and #3 (Wasabi and soy sauce) are provided individually to each person.

Which soy sauce do Koreans use? ›

Joseon ganjang can also be referred to simply as 'soup soy sauce' or guk-ganjang. Traditionally it was the only soy sauce used in all Korean cooking. Today, as well as being used for soup, it's also used for Korean side dishes (banchan).

Do you dip kimbap in soy sauce? ›

In addition to the differences in fillings, the rolls are eaten with different accompaniments; neither soy sauce nor wasabi appears on the kimbap plate. It's usually served with kimchi and pickled vegetables on the side.

What is the name of the Samgyupsal sauce? ›

Ssamjang

Koreans call this ssam, which translates to “wrapped.” Meanwhile, jang refers to a thick or paste-like sauce. Together, they make ssamjang: a blend of doenjang (fermented soybeans), gochujang (red chili paste), sesame oil, fresh aromatics, and sugar.

What are the three main Korean sauces? ›

Jangs can generally be described as fermented pastes or sauces made with soybeans. The three jangs that dominate Korean cuisine are doenjang, ganjang and gochujang.

What is the famous Korean sauce? ›

This delicious, distinctive taste comes from gochujang, a fermented Korean chili paste made from glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, red chili pepper flakes, and salt. It's pretty assertive on its own – even small amounts add intense flavor to whatever you're cooking. That's where this gochujang sauce comes in.

What is the most popular Korean soy sauce brand? ›

But Sempio 701 is more expensive than others. That's why many homecooks go for the slightly-cheaper Sempio 501! As a result, Sempio 501 has become the #1 best-selling soy sauce in Korea. *Note: You can compare other Korean soy sauces to Sempio's.

What to use instead of Korean soy sauce? ›

But if you ever find yourself in need of a substitute, here are our recommendations.
  • Tamari. Tamari is also a soy sauce, but with a darker color, slightly less salty flavor, and no gluten. ...
  • Worcestershire Sauce. ...
  • Coconut Aminos. ...
  • Liquid Aminos. ...
  • Fish Sauce. ...
  • Maggi Seasoning Sauce.
May 17, 2023

What do Asians call soy sauce? ›

Japanese Shoyu

The recipe for soy sauce spread from China over to Japan, which is why their kanji characters for their shoyu sauce is the same as the Chinese “酱油”. Shoyu most often accompanies sushi and sashimi slices, along with a little bit of wasabi for the spicy flavor.

Which soy sauce is best for dipping? ›

Dark soy sauce is produced later in the fermentation process and sometimes has molasses added. It is therefore sweeter, thicker and richer in flavour. It can be used for dipping or adding colour.

What's the difference between kimbap and gimbap? ›

Sometimes referred to as Kimbap, Gimbap translates literally to 'seaweed rice' as the two main ingredients in the roll are the seaweed wrapper and the short-grain rice. One of the large flavor differences between sushi and gimbap is the use of sesame oil instead of sushi vinegar in the rice.

What is the Korean version of sushi? ›

The name kimbap (gimbap) translates as seaweed (kim) and rice (bap). You might also hear kimbap being called 'Korean sushi' due to the similarity in appearance, but it's a shame to call kimbap this, as kimbap has its own distinctiveness.

What is Korean soy sauce made of? ›

Production. Soup soy sauce is made entirely of fermented soybeans and brine. The brewing process also produces doenjang, a Korean fermented bean paste. Meju, Korean soybean brick, is made around ipdong in early November.

What is Korean hot sauce? ›

If you're not familiar with it, gochujang is a Korean condiment, and is a thick paste made from red chillies (well, actually a type of dried chilli flakes called gochugaru), glutinous rice, salt and fermented soybeans, and has a gorgeous, bold crimson colour. Oh, and it's deeply, deeply delicious.

Is Japanese BBQ sauce the same as Korean? ›

Korean BBQ adds flavor by soaking meat in marinade to make it well seasoned and more flavorful, while Japanese BBQ focuses on the taste of the meat and incorporates various dipping sauces such as garlic, mirin (a type of rice wine that is a common ingredient in Japanese cooking) and soy sauce to add flavor to non- ...

Is Sweet Baby Ray's a dipping sauce? ›

Description. Ray's chicken sauce is perfect for dipping chicken tenders and waffle fries, or spreading onto chicken sandwiches. Ray's chicken sauce is a new, but familiar flavor with notes of honey mustard and a hint of smoke that will keep you coming back for more!

What are Korean BBQ garnishes? ›

Common Korean garnishes to have available at your party include: fresh green Korean chilies, sliced garlic cloves, scallions, toasted sesame seeds, lime, beet juice, soy sauce, sriracha, and more.

What is Korean barbecue sauce made of? ›

Korean BBQ Sauce Ingredients

To make this Korean barbecue sauce recipe, you'll need: soy sauce, dark brown sugar, minced garlic, rice wine vinegar, chile-garlic sauce, ground black pepper, fresh ginger, Asian sesame oil, cornstarch, and water.

What is BBQ dip made of? ›

The ingredients vary depending on where you are world, but most barbecue sauces include vinegar or tomato paste as a base, liquid smoke flavouring, onion, spices such as mustard and black pepper, and sweeteners such as sugar, honey or molasses.

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