Sesame oil
Dark oil pressed from toasted sesame seeds, with a strong, nutty, roasted aroma; usually added at the end in small amounts as a seasoning.
Korean cooking calls for toasted sesame oil, which is dark brown and intensely fragrant, not the pale cold-pressed kind sold in health food shops, which tastes of little. It is found in Asian grocers and often on the Asian shelf of larger supermarkets; the colour of the oil or the wording on the label tells you which one you have.
Substitute:
There is no real substitute, as no other oil carries the roasted aroma; at a pinch, a neutral oil with freshly pan-toasted, crushed sesame seeds helps, though the flavour stays clearly weaker.
Used in
Bibim GuksuCold noodles tossed with crisp cucumber and a sweet-hot chili dressing25 minBibimbapA colourful rice bowl with beef, vegetable namul, fried egg and gochujang60 minBulgogiPaper-thin beef in a sweet-savory marinade, seared fast and hard75 minDak NaengchaeShredded poached chicken, crisp vegetables and a sharp-sweet mustard dressing, ice-cold45 minDak-KalguksuHand-cut wheat noodles in clear chicken broth with shredded meat2 hDubu JorimBraised tofu in a spicy gochugaru sauce — quick, and made for rice30 minEomuk BokkeumFish cake strips with onion and chili, glossed in a soy sauce glaze20 minGaji-namulSteamed eggplant with garlic and sesame oil — served at room temperature or chilled25 minGalbijjimSoy-braised beef short ribs with radish, carrot and shiitake2 hGamja BokkeumKorean stir-fried potato matchsticks with onion, carrot and sesame35 minGosari NamulKorean fernbrake braised tender with soy sauce, garlic and sesame90 minGyeranjjimKorean steamed eggs, cloud-soft, with fish sauce and kombu stock30 minHaemul PajeonCrispy Korean scallion pancake loaded with seafood45 minJapchaeKorean glass noodle salad with marinated beef, vegetables and egg ribbons60 minJeyuk BokkeumPaper-thin pork in a gochujang marinade, seared hot with plenty of vegetables60 minKimchi BokkeumStir-fried kimchi with pork belly — on the table in 20 minutes20 minKimchi-JjimBraised pork belly with long-aged kimchi90 minKongnamul MuchimCrisp soybean sprouts tossed with sesame oil, garlic and spring onion20 minMu NamulKorean side dish of tender radish matchsticks with garlic and sesame oil25 minOi MuchimKorean cucumber salad with gochugaru, garlic and sesame – ready in 25 minutes25 minYukgaejangSpicy Korean beef soup with shredded brisket, bean sprouts and spring onions110 min