What does it taste like?
Deeply nutty and aromatic.
Pantry
Toasted sesame oil
참기름
Common aliases
sesame oil · toasted sesame oil · sesame seed oil
What is Toasted sesame oil?
A practical Korean cooking ingredient used to build balanced flavor and texture in everyday dishes such as rice meals, soups, stews, and banchan.
How is it used?
Finish rice, noodles, salads, and marinades sparingly.
Where can you buy it?
Choose toasted sesame oil for Korean cooking.
How should you store it?
Seal tightly away from heat and light.
Possible substitutes
Perilla oil is different but works in some Korean dishes.
Recipes using Toasted sesame oil
Rice Dishes
Abalone and Seaweed Porridge(미역전복죽)
A savory glutinous rice porridge simmered with abalone, seaweed, and a broth made from abalone shells and kelp, finished with carrot and black sesame.
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Rice Dishes
Abalone Rice Porridge(전복죽)
A rich rice porridge simmered with abalone, shrimp, mushrooms, and carrot, finished with pine nuts and served with low-sodium soy sauce.
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Rice Dishes
Bulgogi Rice Bowl(불고기덮밥)
A savory beef bulgogi rice bowl topped with stir-fried peppers, onion, enoki mushrooms, scallions, egg, and sesame seeds.
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Soups & Stews
Clam and Seaweed Soup(바지락 미역국)
A clear seaweed soup with clams, radish, dried shrimp, aromatics, and a light seasoning of low-sodium soy sauce and glasswort powder.
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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
Dried Pollock and Seaweed Soup(황태미역국)
A savory seaweed soup with dried pollock simmered in a flavorful broth made from pollock head, kelp, shiitake mushroom, and green onion.
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Rice Dishes
Grilled Brown Rice Balls with Hijiki(구운 주먹밥)
Savory brown rice balls mixed with seasoned hijiki, coated with crushed seaweed and egg, then grilled in a pan.
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Side Dishes
Grilled Seasoned Bellflower Root(통도라지양념구이)
Whole bellflower root flattened, grilled, and glazed with a savory-spicy pear and gochujang sauce, then finished with chives and sesame seeds.
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Side Dishes
Grilled Tofu with Seasoned Kimchi and Wild Chives(달래두부김치무침)
Golden pan-grilled tofu topped with a savory mixture of kimchi, wild chives, red bell pepper, sesame oil, garlic, and chili flakes.
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