Ganjang Kkaennip is a traditional Korean banchan (side dish) made by marinating perilla leaves in a soy sauce seasoning. "Banchan" refers to the small side dishes served alongside rice in a Korean meal. Perilla leaf is a type of herb with a bold, distinctive aroma — somewhere between mint and basil. While still uncommon in Europe, it is a much-loved vegetable in Korean cuisine. The soy sauce seasoning blends with the herbal character of the leaf to create a salty, umami-rich flavour. The most traditional way to eat it is to place a leaf over a spoonful of steamed rice and eat them together.

Hansung Ganjang Kkaennip 200g is a frozen product. Store in the freezer (at or below -18°C) after purchase. Before eating, thaw slowly in the refrigerator (approximately 2–3 hours) or at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Once thawed, it can be eaten directly on top of rice without any additional cooking. We recommend not refreezing once thawed — keep refrigerated after thawing and consume as soon as possible.

Official ingredient and allergen information for Hansung Ganjang Kkaennip has not yet been formally verified. Soy sauce seasoning may typically contain soy and wheat (gluten), and sesame may also be present. However, this has not been officially confirmed for this specific product. Customers with food allergies, coeliac disease, or strict dietary requirements are strongly advised to contact the manufacturer (Hansung Enterprise, hsep.com) or the official EU importer to request the official ingredient declaration before purchasing. In accordance with EU Food Information Regulation 1169/2011, we do not publish unverified allergen information.

The suitability of this product for vegan or vegetarian diets has not been officially confirmed. While perilla leaf itself is a plant-based ingredient, the full composition of the soy sauce seasoning has not been verified, making it impossible to confirm plant-based suitability with certainty. Customers following a strict vegan or vegetarian diet are advised to contact the manufacturer for official ingredient information before purchasing.

Ganjang Kkaennip has a salty, umami-rich flavour combined with the bold herbal aroma characteristic of perilla leaf. Compared to European flavour references, the deep saltiness and umami of the soy sauce plays a similar role to the complex savouriness of aged Italian cheese or a balsamic glaze. The herbal note of the perilla leaf is more intense and distinctive than basil or mint, and the combination of the two creates a truly unique presence on the Korean table. First-time tasters may find the aroma striking, but when eaten together with rice, the flavour softens and becomes wonderfully addictive.