Does Gochujang Have Gluten? Which Brands Are Wheat-Free
In August 2025, Health Canada pulled a batch of Daesang-brand gochujang off shelves in Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec. The problem wasn't spice level or an expired lot. It was wheat, sitting in a red chili paste, undeclared on the label, with one reported reaction on file. If you've ever squeezed gochujang straight from the tub without checking the ingredient panel, that's the exact question this post is answering: does gochujang have gluten, and which jars actually don't? Why most gochujang isn't gluten-free Gochujang (고추장) is Korea's fermented red chili paste, and the traditional recipe leans on barley malt powder to drive the fermentation that gives it that deep, almost caramelized sweetness. Barley malt has gluten in it, full stop, and that one ingredient is what trips up most commercial jars. Gluten Free Supper puts it plainly: "Traditional gochujang usually has barley malt powder, which isn't gluten-free." Sunchang, the county pictured ...