Buying Gochugaru in the UK: Your Complete Guide
If you want to make proper kimchi, you need gochugaru – Korean red chilli flakes. There's no real substitute. The good news is it's increasingly easy to find in the UK.
What Is Gochugaru?
Gochugaru (고추가루) is dried Korean red pepper, ground into flakes or powder. Unlike other chilli products, Korean peppers are sun-dried, giving them a slightly sweet, fruity flavour alongside the heat.
The texture matters for kimchi. Traditional gochugaru has a coarse, flaky texture that adheres to vegetables and creates that characteristic red coating.
Coarse vs Fine
Coarse (굵은 고추가루): Larger flakes, best for kimchi and dishes where you want visible chilli pieces. This is what you want for traditional kimchi.
Fine (고운 고추가루): Powder form, best for sauces, soups, and marinades. Dissolves more easily.
For kimchi-making, always choose coarse gochugaru.
Heat Levels
Korean chilli flakes are moderately hot – roughly 4,000-8,000 Scoville units. That's milder than cayenne but hotter than paprika. The heat builds gradually rather than hitting immediately.
Some brands offer mild and hot versions. For beginners, the standard (non-hot) variety is probably enough.
Where to Buy
Korean supermarkets: Best selection and usually best prices. Look for H Mart, Korea Foods, or Seoul Plaza in London. Wing Yip in Birmingham and Manchester stocks Korean products too.
Online: Several Korean grocery websites deliver nationwide. Larger quantities are often more economical online.
Amazon: Available but prices vary. Check reviews and make sure it's actually gochugaru (some listings are misleading).
Health food shops: Occasionally stock gochugaru, though selection is limited.
What to Look For
Colour: Vibrant red. Dull or brown gochugaru is old or low quality.
Texture: Coarse flakes that stick together slightly. Very dry, powdery texture suggests it's been sitting around.
Origin: Most gochugaru comes from Korea or China. Korean-produced is generally considered superior, but good Chinese-produced gochugaru exists.
Packaging: Look for packages that seal well. Once opened, gochugaru can oxidise and lose colour and flavour.
Popular Brands
- Taekyung: Widely available, good quality
- Wang: Common in supermarkets, reliable
- ChungJungOne: Premium brand, excellent quality
- Sempio: Another quality Korean brand
Storage
Keep gochugaru in an airtight container, away from light. The freezer is ideal for long-term storage – it prevents colour and flavour degradation. Properly stored, it lasts at least a year.
How Much You Need
For a standard batch of kimchi (one large napa cabbage), you'll use roughly 50-100g of gochugaru. If you're making kimchi regularly, buying larger bags is more economical.
Can You Substitute?
Not really. Gochugaru has a unique flavour profile – sweet, fruity, moderately hot, with a texture that coats vegetables properly. Substitutes don't produce the same result:
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Too hot, different flavour
- Cayenne: Way too hot, wrong texture
- Paprika: Not hot enough, different flavour
- Aleppo pepper: Closest substitute but still different
If you're making kimchi, get proper gochugaru. It's worth the effort.
