Korean Barley Sauce

Barcode 03400166

No — Korean Barley Sauce is not ultra-processed.

The ingredients are mostly whole or minimally processed foods: barley, water, gochujang (as a traditional fermented paste), soy sauce, sunflower oil, salt, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, carrot, and spring onion. There are no explicit industrial additives, refined syrups, artificial sweeteners, emulsifiers, flavor enhancers, or thickeners listed. Therefore, based on the provided ingredients, this would not be classified as an ultra-processed food under NOVA.

Ingredients

No ultra-processed markers

OK

barley

A whole grain used in cooking and brewing; a basic cereal ingredient.
OK

water

Essential base ingredient for countless foods and beverages; serves as solvent and texture modifier.
OK

gochujang (fermented korean chilli paste) (8%)
OK

soy sauce

A salty, fermented condiment made from soybeans, wheat, water, and salt. Usually used as a seasoning or dipping sauce.
OK

sunflower oil

A basic edible oil pressed from sunflower seeds; common cooking oil.
OK

salt

Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
OK

rice vinegar

A mild vinegar made from fermented rice—used to season dishes, pickles, and dressings with a subtle sweet and tangy note.
OK

chopped garlic (1%)
OK

chopped ginger (0.2%)
OK

carrot

A root vegetable used widely in cooking for sweetness, texture, and color.
OK

spring onion

A fresh allium with a mild onion flavor, used as a garnish or in dishes.

Common questions about Korean Barley Sauce

Is Korean Barley Sauce ultra-processed?

No — Korean Barley Sauce is not ultra-processed, so it is not a UPF (ultra-processed food). The ingredients are mostly whole or minimally processed foods: barley, water, gochujang (as a traditional fermented paste), soy sauce, sunflower oil, salt, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, carrot, and spring onion. There are no explicit industrial additives, refined syrups, artificial sweeteners, emulsifiers, flavor enhancers, or thickeners listed. Therefore, based on the provided ingredients, this would not be classified as an ultra-processed food under NOVA.

What does "ultra-processed" (UPF) mean?

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrial formulations made with ingredients and additives you wouldn't find in a home kitchen — such as emulsifiers, artificial flavourings, colourings and modified starches. The classification is based on the NOVA system used by researchers and dietitians worldwide.

How can I check whether other foods are ultra-processed?

Scan any barcode — or photograph the ingredients label — with the free Nomi app for iOS and Android. You'll get an instant ultra-processed verdict with every ingredient explained in plain English.

Product information comes from public databases and Nomi's own analysis, and may contain errors. Always check the packaging. Ultra-processed classification is based on the NOVA food processing system.