Sesame Seed Oil 참기름

Characteristics: dark and thick oil with a strong, fragrant smell

Made with: sesame seeds

Commonly used in: marinades and stir frys

Sesame seed oil is a popular ingredient in many Asian cuisines. Rather than using it to coat a pan or to fry something, this oil is great to add extra flavor in a marinade or stir fry. Because of it's strength, it can be used in small amounts and still give a big impact. When shopping for sesame seed oil, look for a darker color with a bit of a thick consistency (will coat the bottle instead of run off the sides) to ensure maximum flavor.

Sesame seed oil is a key flavor that tops off tteokguk (rice cake soup).