Is Bean Paste Vegan? Navigating Sweet and Savory Varieties

November 13, 2025 •

4 min read

Bean pastes are a staple ingredient in a wide variety of global cuisines, from Japanese desserts to Korean stews. Is bean paste vegan? The answer is nuanced and depends heavily on the specific type, brand, and preparation methods.

Quick Summary

Bean pastes can be vegan, but it depends on the type and brand. While many fermented pastes and sweet red bean pastes are plant-based, others might contain non-vegan ingredients like butter, lard, or fish stock. Reading labels is crucial.

Key Points

Not all bean pastes are vegan: Ingredients like butter, lard, fish stock (dashi), honey, and shrimp paste are sometimes used.
Miso paste is vegan, but miso soup often is not: Traditional dashi stock, used for miso soup, is made with fish. Always ask or check labels.
Red bean paste is often vegan: Sweet red bean paste (anko) is usually plant-based, but check labels for added butter or animal fats.
Fermented Korean pastes are typically vegan: Doenjang and Gochujang are often vegan, but specific brands of gochujang may contain honey or shrimp paste.
Reading the label is crucial: The only way to be 100% certain is to read the full ingredients list on a product, especially for processed or pre-made items.

The Vegan Guide to Bean Pastes

The world of bean pastes is vast and includes a wide range of sweet and savory products used across many cuisines. For someone following a vegan diet, it's not enough to know that the base is a bean; it's vital to know what other ingredients might be added during manufacturing or preparation. This guide breaks down the most common types of bean paste and helps you determine if they are safe for a plant-based diet.

Sweet Bean Pastes (Anko)

Sweet red bean paste, known as anko in Japanese cuisine, is made primarily from adzuki beans and sugar. It is a popular filling for desserts like mochi, buns, and pastries.

Vegan Status: Often, sweet red bean paste is accidentally vegan. However, some traditional recipes call for butter or other animal fats to create a smoother, richer texture. Commercially produced versions are usually made with vegetable oil, but it is always important to check the label for any added dairy products.
How to Verify: Read the ingredients list carefully. Look for mentions of milk, butter, or other animal fats. If you are making it at home, you can easily control the ingredients by using vegetable oil or simply skipping the fat altogether.

Fermented Savory Bean Pastes

Fermented bean pastes are incredibly important for adding a deep, umami flavor to savory dishes across Asia. The fermentation process transforms simple ingredients into complex and flavorful condiments.

Doenjang (Korean Fermented Soybean Paste)

Vegan Status: Traditional doenjang is made with soybeans, salt, and water, making it naturally vegan. Many brands, including Sempio, are explicitly labeled as vegan-friendly.
How to Verify: Most commercial doenjang is vegan, but it's always best to check the ingredients to ensure no non-vegan additives were included during processing.

Miso Paste (Japanese Fermented Paste)

Vegan Status: Miso paste itself, made from fermented soybeans, salt, and often a grain like rice or barley, is almost always vegan. However, the real concern arises when it's used to make miso soup. Traditional miso soup uses dashi, a fish-based stock made from bonito flakes.
How to Verify: If buying miso paste, check the label, but it's typically vegan. If ordering miso soup in a restaurant, ask if they use a vegan or kombu (kelp)-based dashi, or if the soup contains any other non-vegan ingredients. Making it at home with vegan broth is the safest option.

Gochujang (Korean Red Chili Paste)

Vegan Status: Most gochujang is vegan-friendly, made from fermented soybeans, glutinous rice, chili powder (gochugaru), and salt. However, some brands might add honey for sweetness or shrimp paste for extra umami.
How to Verify: Always check the ingredient list. Reputable brands that specifically market their products as vegan exist and are a safe bet.

Doubanjiang (Chinese Fermented Broad Bean Paste)

Vegan Status: This spicy paste is typically made from fermented broad beans, chili, and salt. It is generally considered vegan, but as with all products, it's wise to check the label for any surprise additives.

Potential Non-Vegan Ingredients to Watch For

For any type of bean paste, especially when dining out or buying from non-specialty stores, it's important to be aware of common non-vegan additions.

Animal Fats: Lard (pork fat) is traditionally used in authentic Mexican refried beans and some cooking fats in Asian pastes. Butter is sometimes added to sweet pastes for richness.
Fish/Seafood Products: Dashi, made from bonito flakes, is a non-vegan stock commonly used with miso paste in soup. Some versions of gochujang may contain shrimp paste.
Honey: In some sweet or spicy pastes, honey might be used as a sweetener.

Comparison Table: Vegan Status of Common Bean Pastes


Feature	Sweet Red Bean Paste (Anko)	Doenjang (Korean)	Gochujang (Korean)	Miso Paste (Japanese)
Typical Vegan Status	Often vegan, but check for added butter or oil.	Typically vegan, check brand labels.	Usually vegan, check for honey or shrimp paste.	Paste is vegan, but soup (dashi) might not be.
Cuisine	Japanese, Chinese (desserts)	Korean (stews, dips)	Korean (spicy dishes)	Japanese (soup, sauces)
Key Ingredients	Adzuki beans, sugar, optional oil/fat.	Soybeans, salt, wheat flour.	Gochugaru, glutinous rice, soybeans, salt.	Soybeans, koji, salt, grains.
Common Use	Fillings for buns, mochi, pastries.	Base for stews, dipping sauce.	Adds heat and umami to stir-fries and stews.	Soup base, marinades, dressings.

A Few Common Vegan-Friendly Bean Pastes

Red Bean Paste (Anko): Many store-bought brands and homemade recipes are vegan, using vegetable oil instead of butter.
Miso Paste: The paste itself is almost always vegan. Just be mindful of the liquid it's mixed with.
Doenjang: This Korean fermented paste is typically vegan. Sempio brand offers a specifically labeled vegan version.
Vegan Gochujang: Most brands are naturally vegan, but check labels for honey or seafood additives. Brands like Sempio also offer explicitly vegan products.

Conclusion

While many bean pastes are inherently plant-based, the answer to "is bean paste vegan?" is not a simple yes or no. The key takeaway is that you must be a mindful consumer, especially when purchasing ready-made products or dining out. By understanding the different types of bean pastes and being aware of common non-vegan additives, you can confidently navigate your choices. Always read labels, ask questions about ingredients, and prioritize homemade versions when possible to ensure your meal is completely vegan-friendly. For more resources on Asian cuisine, consider exploring online food guides such as Celestial Peach's vegan resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, sweet red bean paste (anko) is not always vegan. While it is often made with just adzuki beans, sugar, and water, some recipes or brands may include butter or other animal fats for a richer texture, so you should always check the ingredients list.

To confirm if a bean paste is vegan, look for ingredients like lard, butter, milk, bonito flakes, or shrimp paste. Brands often explicitly label their products as "vegan" or "plant-based".

Most brands of gochujang are vegan, as they are primarily made from fermented soybeans, glutinous rice, and chili powder. However, some versions may contain honey or shrimp paste, so it is important to check the label for these additions.

Yes, authentic doenjang is almost always vegan. It is a fermented paste made from soybeans and salt. Brands like Sempio offer specifically labeled vegan-friendly doenjang.

Yes, miso paste itself is naturally vegan, made from fermented soybeans, salt, and koji. The common misconception arises because traditional miso soup is made with a fish-based dashi stock.

To ensure your miso soup is vegan, use vegan miso paste and prepare it with a vegetable-based stock instead of traditional fish-based dashi. Some restaurants offer vegan options, but it's best to ask.

The primary difference lies in the fat used for frying. Traditionally, Mexican refried beans use lard (pork fat), making them non-vegan. Many store-bought and homemade versions, however, use vegetable oil, making them vegan.