Hidden ingredients in Korean food
Soy sauce
간장
What it is
Most Korean soy sauce is brewed from soybeans and wheat. Used in marinades (bulgogi, galbi), soups, braised dishes and dipping sauces.
Allergies and diets it can affect
- Soy
- Wheat
- Gluten avoidance
Products differ. Check the label or ask staff; this list is general.
Ask staff in Korean
간장이 들어가나요?
Show this line. Your Food Card asks it for every item you avoid. My card
Dishes in BapCheck whose usual recipe can include it (18)
From each dish's general recipe, not a specific restaurant. Other dishes may use it too.
Bibimbap비빔밥 bi-bim-bap
Rice, Seasoned vegetables, Minced or sliced beef, Fried egg…
Usually contains: Soy, Wheat, Sesame +4
Sometimes contains: Fish
Some places may adjust
Galbitang (Short Rib Soup)갈비탕 gal-bi-tang
Beef short ribs, Korean radish, Glass noodles, Egg garnish…
Usually contains: Beef, Soy, Garlic, onion, scallion, chives
Sometimes contains: Egg, Wheat, Gluten
Yukgaejang (Spicy Beef Soup)육개장 yuk-gae-jang
Shredded beef, Fernbrake, Bean sprouts, scallion, Chili oil…
Usually contains: Beef, Soy, Garlic, onion, scallion, chives
Sometimes contains: Egg, Wheat, Sesame +1
Miyeokguk (Seaweed Soup)미역국 mi-yeok-guk
Seaweed, Beef brisket or mussels/clams, Soy sauce, Sesame oil…
Usually contains: Soy, Sesame, Garlic, onion, scallion, chives
Sometimes contains: Beef, Squid/clam, Fish +2
Some places may adjust
Tteokguk (Rice Cake Soup)떡국 tteok-guk
Sliced rice cakes, Beef broth and beef, Egg garnish, Seaweed flakes…
Usually contains: Beef, Egg, Soy +2
Sometimes contains: Wheat, Fish, Gluten
Bulgogi불고기 bul-go-gi
Thinly sliced beef, Soy sauce, Asian pear, Sugar or honey…
Usually contains: Beef, Soy, Wheat +3
Sometimes contains: Alcohol, Honey
Galbi (Marinated Short Ribs)갈비 gal-bi
Beef or pork short ribs, Soy sauce, Pear, sugar, Garlic…
Usually contains: Soy, Wheat, Sesame +2
Sometimes contains: Beef, Pork, Alcohol
Jeyuk Bokkeum (Spicy Pork Stir-fry)제육볶음 je-yuk bok-keum
Pork, Gochujang, Onion, cabbage, Soy sauce…
Usually contains: Pork, Soy, Wheat +3
Jokbal (Braised Pig's Trotters)족발 jok-bal
Pig's trotters, Soy sauce, Ginger, garlic, Cinnamon, star anise…
Usually contains: Pork, Soy, Wheat +2
Sometimes contains: Alcohol, Shrimp/crab
Japchae (Glass Noodle Stir-fry)잡채 jap-chae
Sweet potato glass noodles, Spinach, carrot, onion, mushroom, Beef strips, Soy sauce, sugar…
Usually contains: Soy, Wheat, Sesame +2
Sometimes contains: Beef, Egg, Pork
Some places may adjust
Ojingeo Bokkeum (Spicy Stir-fried Squid)오징어볶음 o-jing-eo bok-keum
Squid, Gochujang and chili flakes, Onion, carrot, cabbage, Soy sauce…
Usually contains: Squid/clam, Soy, Wheat +3
Sometimes contains: Pork
Nakji Bokkeum (Spicy Stir-fried Octopus)낙지볶음 nak-ji bok-keum
Small octopus, Gochujang and chili flakes, Onion, scallion, Soy sauce…
Usually contains: Squid/clam, Soy, Wheat +3
Galchi Jorim (Braised Hairtail Fish)갈치조림 gal-chi jo-rim
Hairtail fish, Korean radish, Soy sauce, Chili flakes…
Usually contains: Fish, Soy, Wheat +2
Hoe (Korean Raw Fish)회 hoe
Raw fish, Chogochujang, Soy sauce and wasabi, Lettuce, garlic
Usually contains: Fish, Garlic, onion, scallion, chives
Sometimes contains: Soy, Wheat, Squid/clam +2
Ganjang Gejang (Soy-marinated Raw Crab)간장게장 gan-jang ge-jang
Raw blue crab, Soy sauce, Garlic, ginger, chili, Rice wine
Usually contains: Shrimp/crab, Soy, Wheat +2
Sometimes contains: Alcohol
Dubu Jorim (Braised Tofu)두부조림 du-bu jo-rim
Tofu, Soy sauce, Chili flakes, Garlic, scallion…
Usually contains: Soy, Wheat, Sesame +2
Sometimes contains: Fish
Some places may adjust
Sigeumchi Namul (Seasoned Spinach)시금치나물 si-geum-chi na-mul
Spinach, Sesame oil and seeds, Garlic, Soy sauce or salt
Usually contains: Sesame, Garlic, onion, scallion, chives
Sometimes contains: Soy, Wheat, Fish +1
Myeolchi Bokkeum (Stir-fried Anchovies)멸치볶음 myeol-chi bok-keum
Dried anchovies, Soy sauce, Corn syrup or sugar, Garlic…
Usually contains: Fish, Soy, Wheat +3
Sometimes contains: Peanut, Tree nut
Source: BapCheck's general recipe notes for 69 dishes. Not an official allergen table and not a restaurant check.