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Korean Spicy Tuna

Discover the wonders of Korean style spicy tuna. It is very versatile, full of flavor and easy to make! A perfect solution for a busy weeknight meal.

Spicy tuna pasta made with multipurpose Korean spicy tuna | MyKoreanKitchen.com

I’m super excited about sharing today’s recipe. Because I know how beneficial it’s going to be! 🙂 So hear me out.

Korean Canned Tuna

In Korea, there is a canned tuna called gochu chamchi (고추 참치). Its direct translation is ‘chili tuna’ and it essentially is a spicy canned tuna. Though it’s not just spicy. It has a slight sweet and tangy flavor and is often mixed with small portions of vegetables as well.

This tuna is a popular side dish in Korea. For one thing, you can easily buy a can from a Korean grocery store. And it looks like this (below picture) – red and spicy. Although, the below item is an extra spicy one. I used to take this canned tuna to school in my school lunch bag back in the day.

Korean spicy canned tuna | MyKoreanKitchen.com

Anyway, recently, spicy tuna became my new favorite go to dish because it’s so easy and quick to make. With this, I can quickly prepare a main meal either with rice or pasta, all in under 10 mins. You will be amazed!

Also, not only is it easy and quick to make, it is loaded with well balanced sweetness, tanginess and spiciness. And, did I mention that it is very versatile?

I can already see more applications of it such as making spicy tuna rolls with seaweed and spicy tuna sandwiches etc. ❤

When I try those, I will link up in this post, so you can find them easily.

Spicy Tuna Rice Bowl | MyKoreanKitchen.com

Anyway, I hope you give this a try soon and let us know how you prefer serving it!

Ingredients for Korean Spicy Tuna, serves 2 to 4

Main

  • 185 g / 6.5 ounces canned tuna, oil or water drained
  • 50 g / 1.7 ounces mixed vegetables – sweet corn, baby peas, capsicum / bell peppers or carrots, cut into small pieces as necessary (you can use frozen or tinned ones too.)
  • 20 g / 0.7 ounces onion, diced
  • 1 Tbsp cooking oil – I used rice bran oil
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds to garnish

Spicy Tuna Sauce

Option 1) Use this sauce if you’re making Korean spicy tuna as a side dish.

  • 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
  • 2 Tbsp tomato sauce / ketchup
  • 1/2 Tbsp honey

Option 2) Use this sauce if you want the extra spiciness or if you’re going to serve it over pasta or rice.

  • 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce / ketchup
  • 1 Tbsp honey

*1 Tbsp = 15 ml

** If you want to learn more about Korean ingredients, check my 30 essential Korean ingredients list.

How to Make Spicy Tuna

1. Heat up a skillet over medium high heat. Once heated, add the cooking oil and the tuna. Stir quickly. 

2. Add the vegetables and the spicy tuna sauce and mix them well so that everything is coated with the sauce. (If you make the spicy tuna sauce from option 2 to serve over rice or pasta, only add half of the sauce and use the remainder later – over rice / pasta.) Add the sesame seeds. Remove from the heat. Serve.

How to Make Korean Spicy Tuna | MyKoreanKitchen.com

 

Serving Suggestions

1) Serve the spicy tuna with steamed rice and with other Korean side dishes.

 

Korean sweet and spicy tuna | MyKoreanKitchen.com

2) Serve the spicy tuna over steamed rice and add the remaining sauce. With this extra sauce, you can make a simple tuna bibimbap. Just mix it all well!

Korean Spicy Tuna Bowl with Rice | MyKoreanKitchen.com

3) Serve the spicy tuna with some cooked spaghetti. (Thin spaghetti such as angel hair pasta works well.) Add the remaining sauce, a dash of sesame oil (optional) and chopped green onion (optional) then mix well.

Korean spicy tuna served with angel hair pasta | MyKoreanKitchen.com


Spicy Tuna Pasta made with multipurpose Korean spicy tuna | MyKoreanKitchen.com

Korean Spicy Tuna

Korean style spicy tuna recipe
4.86 from 7 votes
Print Pin Rate Save
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Korean
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 149kcal
Author: Sue | My Korean Kitchen

Ingredients

MAIN

  • 185 g canned tuna (6.5 ounces), oil or water drained
  • 50 g mixed vegetables (1.7 ounces), sweet corn, baby peas, capsicum / bell peppers or carrots, cut into small pieces as necessary (you can use frozen or tinned ones too.)
  • 20 g onion (0.7 ounces), diced
  • 1 Tbsp cooking oil , I used rice bran oil
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds to garnish

Spicy Tuna Sauce: Option 1) Use this sauce if you’re making Korean spicy tuna as a side dish.

  • 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
  • 2 Tbsp tomato sauce / ketchup
  • 1/2 Tbsp honey

Spicy Tuna Sauce: Option 2) Use this sauce if you want the extra spiciness or if you’re going to serve it over pasta or rice.

  • 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce / ketchup
  • 1 Tbsp honey

Instructions

  • Heat up a skillet over medium high heat. Once heated, add the cooking oil and the tuna. Stir quickly.
  • Add the vegetables and the spicy tuna sauce and mix them well so that everything is coated with the sauce. (If you make the spicy tuna sauce from option 2 to serve over rice or pasta, only add half of the sauce and use the remainder later - over rice / pasta.) Add the sesame seeds. Remove from the heat. Serve with rice or spaghetti.

Notes

Refer to the above post for serving suggestions.

Nutrition Info (per serving)

Calories: 149kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 210mg | Potassium: 162mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 705IU | Vitamin C: 2.9mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.9mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Tried this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Rate this recipe with a comment below and tag me on Instagram @MyKoreanKitchen.

Written by: Sue

Last Updated:

Welcome to my Korean kitchen! I’m so happy that you're here. I am Sue, the creator behind My Korean Kitchen (since 2006). I love good food and simplifying recipes. Here you will find my best and family approved recipes. Thanks for stopping by!

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18 Comments
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Yazzy
February 24, 2023 2:30 am

This was super good. I added 1TB soy sauce and ate it with white rice. I love spicy food !!!!

Toinette Meiring
September 11, 2021 8:12 pm

So easy and super yummy!!

Michael Min
February 6, 2021 3:24 am

There has been a lot written about mercury content in tuna and other big fish because they grow so big over a period of time and absorb more mercury. Have you heard any of this? Some brands of tuna say that they only use tuna containing less mercury. I’m skeptical. I’d like to try some of these recipes from scratch, using these so-called less mercury tuna brands.
Thanks for the recipes.

Michael Eugene Shaner
December 4, 2020 12:04 am

I made this on a frigid 21F morning, as I was looking for something to warm me up inside. #WhewImSweatingFromMyEyes The blend of flavors is awesome. I knew I couldn’t handle “full bore” of the Gochujang (Korean Chili Paste), so I used only 1/2 Tablespoon—in Option 2.

Emma
September 13, 2020 1:49 am

This was sooooo good. We were so sad our bowl was finished! And we even made the sauce for just the two of us 😉
(used the oil of the tuna for extra tuna-flavour)

Jan
May 3, 2020 12:40 pm

I just made this and it was delicious! Thank you!

Natalia
July 4, 2019 11:26 am

Do you use tomato sauce or ketchup?

Paul P
January 16, 2021 9:23 am
Reply to  Sue

You should be aware that in the USA, tomato sauce and ketchup are two very different things.

Patrick
May 28, 2017 12:53 am

Hello, I’ve always been interested in making this.
I’ve found a recipe that uses the canned version in it and I can’t find any in the shops near me (I live in England)

Are the peas and sweet corn essential?
Also I lost you a little bit at the sauce bit, do I make the sauce to go with the main?
Or is that not needed?
Best regards, Patrick

Joe
September 14, 2020 6:09 am
Reply to  Sue

Hi, what if you’re making this with spicy canned tuna?? I thought the recipe called for it, but just realized that you used regular canned tuna. Would you still make the sauce and cook the same? Thanks.

Sarah Shaw
October 30, 2021 10:49 pm
Reply to  Sue

What is the korean name for this dish?

Hello! I made this for my dosirak today – sadly didn’t have ketchup so used tomato paste instead. I was just wondering if it can be frozen and, if so, for how long? Thanks for sharin 😉

April 4, 2017 9:54 am
Reply to  Sue

Thank u! Tomorrow is day 4 and will finish it up all by then 🙂 (used half of it in my dosirak)

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