Why It’s On Our Shelves
Hot Star Honey’s Gochujang Ketchup takes familiar tomato ketchup and gives it a wonderfully different twist, combining the sweetness and tang of ketchup with the distinctive sweet, spicy and deeply savoury character of Korean gochujang.
Produced in Norfolk by Hot Star →
Rich, punchy and packed with flavour, this is ketchup for anyone who wants considerably more than simply tomato and sweetness. Gochujang brings chilli warmth, savoury depth and a subtle fermented character, creating a sauce that works brilliantly with burgers, fries, fried chicken, barbecue food, rice bowls and grilled meats.
What is gochujang?
Gochujang is a traditional Korean fermented chilli paste, known for its distinctive combination of chilli heat, sweetness and deep savoury umami flavour.
Unlike a straightforward hot chilli sauce, gochujang isn't simply about heat. Its fermented character gives it considerably more depth, which is why it works so well in marinades, sauces and glazes.
Combine those flavours with ketchup and you get something instantly recognisable but altogether more interesting.
What does Gochujang Ketchup taste like?
Expect sweet tomato, tangy acidity, warming chilli and plenty of savoury umami depth.
There's enough heat to give the ketchup character without losing the familiar sweet-and-tangy qualities that make ketchup so versatile. The gochujang then adds another layer of complexity, leaving a gently spicy, savoury finish.
If you enjoy ketchup but regularly find yourself reaching for chilli sauce as well, this could be the bottle that does both jobs.
What can you use Gochujang Ketchup with?
Think of it as an alternative to ordinary ketchup whenever you want a little more heat and considerably more flavour.
Try it with:
- Burgers – particularly good with beef, chicken or veggie burgers
- Fries and chips – an easy alternative to standard tomato ketchup
- Fried chicken – the sweet chilli and umami flavours are a natural match
- BBQ food – serve alongside sausages, burgers and grilled meats
- Rice bowls – drizzle over chicken, vegetables, tofu or fried eggs
- Hot dogs – add alongside mustard, crispy onions or pickles
- Grilled cheese and toasties – use for dipping or add a little inside
- Breakfasts – try it with bacon, sausages, hash browns or eggs
- Sandwiches and wraps – an easy way to add sweetness, heat and savoury depth
It can also be mixed with mayonnaise to create a quick spicy gochujang mayo for burgers, sandwiches, fries and dipping.
Is Gochujang Ketchup very hot?
Gochujang is about considerably more than chilli heat. Its appeal comes from the balance between sweetness, spice, fermentation and savoury umami flavour.
That makes a gochujang ketchup an excellent choice for someone looking to move beyond conventional tomato ketchup without necessarily reaching for an aggressively hot chilli sauce.
Ketchup – but considerably more interesting
Sometimes the easiest way to discover a new flavour is through something you already know.
Hot Star Honey Gochujang Ketchup starts with the familiarity of ketchup and introduces the distinctive flavours of Korean gochujang. The result is an extremely versatile condiment that's just as comfortable next to a plate of chips as it is drizzled over a Korean-inspired rice bowl.
Why we like Hot Star Honey Gochujang Ketchup
- A distinctive alternative to ordinary tomato ketchup
- Made with Korean-style gochujang chilli paste
- Sweet, spicy, tangy and savoury
- Packed with characteristic umami depth
- Excellent with burgers, fries and fried chicken
- Great with BBQ food, rice bowls, sandwiches and wraps
- Mix with mayonnaise for an easy gochujang mayo
- An approachable way to discover the flavour of gochujang
Everything you like about ketchup, with the sweet heat and savoury depth of gochujang.