Korean Beef Stir-fry Gochujang Brands and Their Characteristics

The Korean beef gochujang (spicy gochujang) stir-fry market is a competitive one, with traditional sauce brands and home meal replacement (HMR) brands competing, with tube-shaped and small-packaged products gaining popularity. As of 2023, CJ CheilJedang (44.17%) and Daesang Chungjungone (39.39%) are the two leading brands, holding over 80% of the gochujang market, demonstrating their significant influence in the stir-fried gochujang market.

1. Features of each major brand

1-1) Cheongjeongwon Sunchang Beef Stir-fry Gochujang/Grilled Beef Stir-fry Gochujang

Characteristics: Manufactured in Sunchang, a renowned gochujang (red pepper paste) maker, this product features a smoky, savory flavor from grilled beef. The tube-shaped packaging emphasizes portability for camping, travel, and more.

Consumer Reviews: Many people say that it is not too sweet and has a good balance of savory and spicy flavors.

1-2) Sobokko (Korean beef stir-fried with red pepper paste)

Characteristics: This premium product features a high Korean beef content of 40%. Using traditional methods passed down since 1965, we are targeting the premium beef gochujang niche market.

Consumer Reviews: Known as a premium gochujang with an excellent chewy meat flavor and great for mixing with rice.

1-3) Olban Kitchen Beef Stir-fry with Gochujang

Features: This HMR brand product is distributed by Shinsegae Food. This tube-shaped convenience food emphasizes a clean taste and a moderate beef flavor.

1-4) Master Jeongseonja's All-Purpose Beef Gochujang

Features: This is a master product that emphasizes traditional manufacturing methods and targets consumers who prefer a luxurious taste and traditional flavor.

1-5) 2nd generation artisan's Sunchang Hanwoo Yakgochujang

Characteristics: Made in the traditional way of the Sunchang region, this product aims to achieve both health and taste by adding raw deodeok and Korean beef.

2. Market Share and Trends

2-1) Dominance of two major brands:

CJ CheilJedang and Daesang (Cheongjeongwon), which lead the overall gochujang market, also hold a high market share in the stir-fried gochujang market.

Direct and premium: Premium products that emphasize the "grilled flavor" of Cheongjeongwon's grilled beef stir-fry, or maximize the "Korean beef content" of Sobokko, are popular.

Convenience: With the increase in single-person households and the spread of camping culture, small-package tube products in 60g to 100g units are the main products.

Beef stir-fry with gochujang is popular as a side dish with rice or as a substitute for ssamjang, with depth of flavor (grilled flavor, premium Korean beef) and convenience becoming key criteria for brand selection.