Premium Toasted Sesame Oil

Yes. We’re certified non-GMO by the Non-GMO Project, which means every step of our sourcing and production has been independently verified to meet strict standards for avoiding genetically modified ingredients.

No — and that’s on purpose. Our sesame oil is roasted before pressing, which unlocks its depth and warmth. “Cold-pressed” oils can taste greasy or flat because the seeds aren’t toasted first. We roast at a lower temperature than most brands, preserving nutrients while bringing out the nutty aroma that defines true Korean sesame oil.

Like all natural oils, sesame oil has an expiration date, so please check the bottle for the exact timing. Once opened, we recommend using it within six months for the best flavor. To keep it fresh, store it in a cool, dark place and make sure the bottle is tightly sealed. You’re welcome to refrigerate it as well; the oil may turn cloudy, but that’s normal and doesn’t affect its quality.

You can absolutely cook with it — especially when sautéing vegetables, marinating meats, or seasoning noodles and rice. Sooki’s oil has a moderate smoke point (around 410°F / 210°C) and holds up beautifully for light to medium cooking. It’s also perfect as a finishing drizzle over soups, salads, or grains for a final touch of warmth and aroma.

It’s unrefined. We don’t use chemicals or high-heat refining steps. Instead, we rely on a mechanical press and natural filtration. The result is a clear, aromatic oil that retains the essence of the sesame seed itself — pure, minimal, and naturally stable.

We use whole, white sesame seeds that meet strict quality and safety standards. Every batch is carefully inspected for purity, cleanliness, and oil content before pressing, which allows us to control flavor, freshness, and consistency from the very start.

Many mass-market sesame oils are made using sesame powder or leftover seed meal rather than whole seeds. Once sesame is ground into powder, it oxidizes quickly and loses many of its natural aromatic compounds. This often leads to a flatter flavor, increased bitterness, and less nuance in the finished oil, as well as greater variability from batch to batch.

By starting with intact, whole seeds, we preserve the sesame’s natural oils and aroma, resulting in a cleaner, more fragrant, and more balanced taste. Our seeds are non-GMO and produced without chemical solvents or additives, and our facility in Korea is FDA-registered and HACCP-certified for food safety.

Our sesame oil is pressed and bottled in South Korea, where sesame oil has been cherished for generations. Partnering with a local producer allows us to honor traditional methods while maintaining the highest level of transparency and quality control.

Yes technically, as sesame oil is pressed from sesame seeds. The real concern around seed oils comes from their high omega-6 fatty acid content and the industrial refining process they go through, not simply from the fact that they come from seeds.

Most commercial seed oils (like soybean, corn, and canola) are extracted using chemical solvents, high heat, and deodorizing steps that can strip nutrients and create oxidized fats. These oils are also used in massive quantities in processed foods, which can throw off the balance between omega-6 and omega-3 fats in a modern diet.

Sooki’s sesame oil is produced through mechanical pressing, without chemical extraction or additives, and roasted at a lower temperature to preserve flavor and nutrients. Sesame oil does contain omega-6s, but it also contains unique antioxidants like sesamol and sesamin, which help stabilize the oil and support its health benefits. When used in normal culinary amounts, sesame oil is a natural, minimally processed, traditional fat. We encourage everyone to do their own research regarding this topic!

We apply traditional Korean roasting and pressing methods to premium sesame seeds that we carefully select and import from trusted farms in Henan and Hubei, China. Rather than choosing seeds based on country of origin alone, we selected these particular seeds through extensive taste testing for their flavor, aroma, oil content, and consistency. Combined with our signature roasting and pressing method, they help produce the smooth, nutty, and buttery profile we were looking for, without the bitterness that can come from a heavier roast.

No, we only produce sesame oil at our factories. Thus, our sesame oil is made in a facility that does not process tree nuts or other major allergens.

Our glass bottles are fully recyclable, and we’re continuously exploring ways to reduce plastic use in our caps, seals, and shipping materials.

At Sooki Foods, we take great care in producing and packaging our products. Because our food items are made in small batches and handled with strict quality standards, we are unable to accept returns or offer refunds unless there is a clear packaging or product issue. If you believe your order arrived damaged, defective, or compromised in any way, please reach out to us through our contact form.