The volatile flavor components were isolated from the roots of Saussurea lappa C.B. Clarke produced in Korea and China by the hydro distillation, and were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). 63 aroma compounds representing 87.47% of the total peak area were tentatively identified, including 13 alcohols (22.56%), 26 hydrocarbons (21.78%), 4 aldehydes (21.24%), 11 ketones (18.04%), 1 oxide (0.52%), 3 esters (0.16%), 1 carboxylic acid (0.02%) and 4 miscellaneous components (3.15%). 46 volatile flavor components of imported S. lappa C.B. Clarke constituted 65.69% of the total volatile composition were tentatively characterized, consisting of 1 aldehyde (23.32%), 24 hydrocarbons (16.69%), 10 ketones (15.84%), 7 alcohols (8.92%), 1 oxide (0.83%), 2 esters (0.07%) and 1 acid (0.02%). The predominant components of both essential oils were (7Z,10Z,13Z)-7,10,13-hexadecatrienal and dehydrocostuslactone.