How To Make Gochujang At Home

Step 1

THE NIGHT BEFORE: Soak malt barley (all 750 g of it!) in 5 litre of cold water for 5 hrs or more.

Step 2

THE NIGHT BEFORE: Soak sweet rice in water for 3-4 hrs or more.

Step 3

NEXT MORNING: Strain soaked sweet rice through a colander and remove all excess water.

Step 4

Grind sweet rice with a blender or chopper as fine as you can make it. Set aside.

Step 5

Strain malt barley through a fine sieve or medium grade cheese cloth to just get the liquid and some fine white sediments.

Step 6

Add sweet rice powder to strained liquid from above.

Step 7

Leave mixture in the oven with a temperature of about 60°C (140°F) for 5 hrs.

Step 8

Remove malt barley + sweet rice mixture from oven and cook on stove top.

Step 9

Start at medium high -> medium heat until liquid has reduced by about 20%. Let it cool.

Step 10

Once liquid is cooled, add fine gochukaru, meju karu and sea salt.

Step 11

Add rice syrup (jocheong 조청) - add more or less to your taste.

Step 12

Mix everything well.

Step 13

Transfer gochujang into the prepared, sanitized clay pot (hangari 항아리).

Step 14

Sprinkle top with handful of sea salt.

Step 15

Leave in full sun for 6 months.