Ssamjang is a thick, savoury Korean dipping paste built by blending two fermented jang — earthy doenjang (soybean paste) and sweet-hot gochujang (chilli paste) — then loosening and seasoning the mix with garlic, sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, chopped scallion and often a little sugar. It is the standard sauce for ssam, the Korean lettuce-and-perilla wraps that hold grilled meat, rice and a dab of the paste.