What does it taste like?
Deeply savory, earthy, salty, and more rustic than mild white miso.
Korean seasonings
Doenjang
된장
Common aliases
doenjang · korean soybean paste · fermented soybean paste
What is Doenjang?
Doenjang is a robust Korean fermented soybean paste used to season soups, stews, and dipping sauces.
How is it used?
Dissolve into broth for doenjang jjigae or mix into vegetable dipping sauces.
Where can you buy it?
Find brown tubs labeled doenjang in the refrigerated or sauce aisle of Korean grocers.
How should you store it?
Refrigerate after opening and keep the surface clean and covered.
Possible substitutes
Red or awase miso is the closest common substitute, but it is usually sweeter and less pungent.
Recipes using Doenjang
Soups & Stews
Blue Crab and Clam Stew(꽃게바지락찌개)
A savory seafood stew with blue crab, clams, radish, zucchini, bean sprouts, and a lightly seasoned anchovy-kelp broth.
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Side Dishes
Doenjang-Seasoned Amaranth Greens(비름나물 된장무침)
Blanched amaranth greens and onion tossed with a doenjang, gochujang, mayonnaise, garlic, and ginger dressing, then finished with sesame oil and sesame seeds.
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Soups & Stews
Flounder and Mugwort Soup(가자미쑥국)
A hearty soup of flounder, clams, and mugwort simmered in a doenjang broth and finished with green onion and ground perilla seeds.
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Soups & Stews
Kabocha Squash and Napa Cabbage Doenjang Soup(단호박배추된장국)
A light soybean paste soup with mashed kabocha squash, napa cabbage, king oyster mushroom, and red chili in a simple green onion and onion broth.
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Side Dishes
Low-Moisture Soybean Paste Pork(된장숙성저수분수육)
Pork shoulder seasoned with low-sodium soybean paste, garlic, ginger, peppercorns, and bay leaf, then cooked gently over onions and green onion.
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Soups & Stews
Maesaengi and Soft Tofu Soup(매생이순두부탕)
Tender maesaengi seaweed, mussels, and soft tofu are simmered in a kelp, anchovy, and barley soybean paste broth.
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Side Dishes
Mallow Greens with Doenjang(아욱 된장무침)
Tender blanched mallow greens are tossed with doenjang, garlic, low-sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, and sesame seeds for a savory vegetable side dish.
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Soups & Stews
Napa Cabbage and Taro Soup(배추토란국)
A hearty soybean paste soup with taro, beef brisket, Napa cabbage, and green onion, lightly spiced with red pepper flakes.
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Soups & Stews
Napa Cabbage Soybean Paste Soup(배추된장국)
A light soybean paste soup with napa cabbage, tofu, onion, green onion, and chili simmered in anchovy broth and rice-rinsing water.
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