Korean BBQ Dipping Sauces and Powders

Spicy Dipping Sauces:

• Ssamjang (쌈장): Ssamjang is a mixture of soybean paste and red pepper paste. It has a mild spice and is one of the most popular dipping sauces that you will find on a Korean BBQ table. It pairs well with pork and beef. The term “쌈” means wrap, and “장” is the term used for fermented paste or sauce.
• Wasabi & Soy Sauce: You can make a simple sauce combining wasabi with soy sauce (양조간장). This mixture will create a refreshing salty spice.

Jeot Dipping Sauce:

• Jeot (젓): Jeot is a type of salted seafood. There are different types of Jeot which vary based on the seafood used, like anchovy. Salted Fermented Shrimp Sauce (새우젓) is one of the most used kinds. It adds a fish and salty flavor to your dish. This kind of Jeot pairs well with pork and blood sausage as a dipping sauce.

Oil-Based Dipping Sauce:

• Sesame oil and Coarse Salt: Sesame oil and coarse salt can be mixed together in a bowl to make a savory and nutty dipping sauce. It pairs well with beef, poultry, and fish.
• Perilla seed oil and Coarse Salt: Perilla seed oil and coarse salt have a unique flavor and pair well with beef, poultry, and fish.
• Butter, Onion, and Pepper: Adding melted butter seasoned with onion or minced peppers pairs super well with clams and seafood. I had this served in Busan, and it was delicious.
• Sesame oil and Soy sauce (양조간장): Sesame oil and Soy sauce can be mixed together into a bowl to make a nutty, savory sauce that enhances the flavor of what it is dipped into. It pairs well with beef, pork, and fish.

Soy-Based Dipping Sauces:

• Soy sauce, Vinegar, and Sliced Onion: Mixing soy sauce with vinegar and sliced onion creates a fresh salty dipping sauce that goes well with pork, fish, and beef.
• Soy sauce, Vinegar, and Sugar: Soy sauce with vinegar and sugar is a fresh, slightly sweet, balanced dipping sauce. It pairs well with pork, beef, and fish.
• Soy sauce and Green Onion: Soy sauce with green onion adds an aromatic aspect to the dipping sauce. It pairs well with fish, pork, and beef.
• Soybean paste (된장): Soybean paste can be used as a dipping sauce. It pairs well with beef and pork.

Dipping Powders:

Dipping powders are served on the side in a sauce bowl, and the grilled ingredient is dipped into it and enjoyed.

• Perilla seed powder (들깨가루): Perilla seed powder is a savory nutty milky powder. It pairs well with duck and beef.
• Roasted soybean flour (볶음콩가루): Roasted soybean flour has a golden color and adds a nutty flavor to the grilled ingredients. It goes well with pork and duck.
• Crushed sesame seeds and coarse salt: Mixing crushed sesame seeds and coarse salt together adds a nutty flavor and gives a different texture to the ingredients. It goes well with meats and poultry.
• Spicy cumin powder (쯔란): This powder is on the spicy side and has a rich cumin aroma and taste. It pairs well with grilled lamb skewers.