[NongHyup] Fermented Korean Soybean Paste, Doenjang, Product of Korea, All Natural, No Artificial Preservatives (250g (0.55 lbs))

I miss my grandma's homemade doenjang (soybean paste). Every time I go Korean grocery shopping, I buy a few different tubs of Korean soybean paste to see whether any comes close to the taste I remember decades ago in Korea; it has always been a disappointment. One day, my Korean grocery store carried this one. It was twice as expensive as other ones in plastic tubs, but I knew the paste made the real traditional way takes a long time (years) so could be on the pricier side. As soon as I got home, I tried it. I was in heaven! Finally, I found one that takes me back to my childhood with grandma.Alas, the grocery store stopped carrying it. Ever since, I looked high and low for this one, even contemplating ordering some from Korea.Then I found out NongHyup started their brand store on Amazon since late 2022. I was ecstatic. I ordered two jars. The flavor is still the same as the one I bought from a Korean grocery store many many years ago. If you are not familiar with authentic Korean bean paste made at home using fermented and dried blocks of soybeans hanging from sisal ropes, this may taste somewhat funky. But all my family members who were born and have grown up in the US loves everything I make with NongHyup soybean paste: soups, veggies, stew, etc.I love products from NongHyup. They are not one of those conglomerates operating a food division. They are an agricultural co-op. I trust this brand for quality and authenticity.

I fried it with onions, added spices. Good, but too much salt.

Product arrived damaged

Pleased

seems natural but costs too much for a little amount

Dark color is not very inviting. Taste so so.

The media could not be loaded. So displeased. Took forever to get here- so unhappy!