If you’ve ever looked up a Korean recipe, chances are you’ve come across gochujang.

It’s one of the most recognizable ingredients in Korean cooking, but it can also be one of the most misunderstood. Some people think it’s simply “Korean hot sauce,” while others assume every dish made with gochujang has to be fiery spicy.

Neither is really true.

Gochujang is much more than a source of heat. It’s a fermented chili paste that adds sweetness, savoriness, umami, and depth to a dish. In many ways, it’s one of the building blocks of Korean cooking.

If you’re just starting your Korean cooking journey, here’s everything you need to know.