Gochujang is the friction point here: Harris Teeter and Kroger stock it reliably in the international aisle, but Food Lion, Walmart, and ALDI often don't, meaning a dedicated stop or a gamble on availability. All other ingredients—soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil—are staples at every major Charlotte chain and cost roughly $8 to $10 total across the batch, making this extremely cheap per serving once made. The stated 10 minutes is honest for mixing and heating, though mincing fresh garlic and ginger will push closer to 15 if you're not practiced. This sauce keeps well for two weeks refrigerated and reheats without degradation, so it doubles as a condiment for leftovers and meal-prep protein, which is a real win for weeknight planning.