Does Ssamjang Contain Peanut? How to Check the Label

Ssamjang is a thick Korean dipping paste made from soybean paste and chili paste, eaten with grilled meat and lettuce wraps. If you have a peanut allergy, read the label every time: some recipes contain peanut, and recipes differ from country to country.

In September 2026, Canada’s food safety agency recalled O’Food Mild Ssamjang (Original Seasoned Soybean Paste) in 170 g, 500 g and 1 kg tubs because peanut was not properly declared on the label.[1][2]

What the labels say

• O’Food (Daesang) Mild Ssamjang: the Australian label says “Contains: Peanuts, Soy, Wheat”, and an EU listing lists soy, wheat and peanut.[3][4]
• CJ Haechandle Ssamjang: a German listing’s ingredients include roasted peanut powder, while a UK listing’s allergen line names soy, wheat, sesame, barley and mustard but not peanut. The recipe seems to differ by market.[5][6]

How to check a Korean label

On a pack printed in Korean, find the line that starts 알레르기 유발물질 (allergens). Look for 땅콩 (peanut) followed by 함유 (contains). A line with 같은 제조시설 means it was made in a facility that also handles the foods listed.

Label facts

Korean words on this pack

Tap the speaker to hear each word. More in the label words list.

• 쌈장ssamjangdipping paste for lettuce wraps
• 땅콩ttangkongpeanut
• 알레르기 유발물질allereugi yubal muljilallergens
• 함유hamyucontains
• 같은 제조시설gateun jejo siseolmade in the same facility as …
• 대두daedusoybean
• 밀milwheat
• 깨kkaesesame seeds

Ways to serve it

• Use it the classic way: a small dab on grilled meat wrapped in a lettuce leaf.

These are serving ideas, not part of the pack’s directions.