Soy sauce is used in East and Southeast Asian cuisines. There are variations and while this article isn't exhaustive, I hope it covers a lot of territory for your needs. Here we go! Regular Soy Sauce How Concentrated Soy Sauce Benefits Industrial Food Production ◉ Transportation and Storage Efficiency If our Chinese recipes call for “soy sauce,” “regular soy sauce,” or “light soy sauce,” we are always referring to Chinese light soy sauce (shēng chōu, 生抽). It is generally thinner and lighter in color than the familiar (Japanese) Kikkoman you may have seen on dining tables at sushi restaurants and takeout joints. (We’ll get to the differences between Chinese and Japanese soy sauce later in this article.) Selection tips: A little darker than regular Chinese-style soy sauce, Kikkoman soy sauce is a good all-around soy sauce, especially if you're shopping at a regular supermarket. Pearl River Bridge is very good, especially its Gold Label or Premium Label which has been aged a bit longer. Amoy and Lee Kum Kee are terrific too. Some soy sauce, particular ones from Taiwan, have a sweetness due to sugar being in the formulation. Soy sauce from China and Hong Kong have a saltier finish because there's usually no sugar involved.

Examples of Chinese light soy sauce products on the market are Kimlan Soy Sauce, Pearl River Bridge Superior Light Soy Sauce, Lee Kum Kee Premium Soy Sauce, Haitian Superior Light Soy Sauce, and Wan Ja Shan Soy Sauce. In the photo below, see the bottles for these different brands. Some bottles say “light” while others don’t.General rule of thumb: if it is a Chinese brand of naturally brewed soy, and it does not say “dark” on it, it is light soy! Concentrated Soy Sauce(Paste form), which holds a richness distilled from soybeans that’s hard to match. It's hard to buy soy sauce at an Asian market because there are so many. At regular supermarkets, the brands are limited but you may be confused by shoyu, tamari, light soy sauce, and low-sodium soy sauce. Then there are gluten-free and soy sauce-like condiments. Mix with spices and sweeteners as a glaze or dipping sauce base for meats and dumplings. Solidified Soy Sauce: The most common types available in the U.S. are Japanese and Chinese. However, we’ve also included some common Southeast Asian kinds:

This is not an exhaustive list. We took a look at the products readily available in our local Chinese supermarkets, but we certainly did not cover all types available in Asia, in countries like the Philippines, Korea , etc. where this ingredient is just as important. To maximize shelf life, concentrated soy sauce should be stored in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Like many condiments, light and heat can cause the flavors to degrade over time. An ideal storage location is a kitchen cabinet or pantry. The most important thing for you is to choose a brand or brands that you like. There are differences in soy sauce flavors and uses. You do not have to be a fanatic like me. A regular soy sauce made in China, Hong Kong, Japan or Korea will be fine. Kikkoman is made in the States. The important thing is to know their differences so you may use them wisely. We’ll also focus on light soy sauce, a term we use interchangeably with “soy sauce” or “regular soy sauce” in our recipes. It’s the type we turn to most often in our pantry, with the most versatility when it comes to Chinese cooking. What Is Soy Sauce? Concentrated soy sauce has become an increasingly popular product, adding intense umami flavor and versatile functionality to dishes and food manufacturing processes alike. As the world’s palate continues to expand and consumers seek bolder, more authentic Asian flavors, the demand for concentrated soy sauce is likely to grow steadily. Manufacturers will respond by developing innovative varieties and fusion flavors that use concentrated soy sauce as a base. Its efficiency for storage, transport, and precise flavor control also makes this product well-suited for large-scale food production applications. Whether used in a home kitchen or industrial facility, concentrated soy sauce is poised for a bright future as more cooks and food companies recognize its culinary potential.

Nutritional Facts

Concentrated and solidified soy sauces offer versatility beyond just adding saltiness to dishes. Their concentrated, intense flavors open up many possibilities for creative usage. There are two simple approaches here: Solidified soy sauce, consider adding a little experimentation to the mix. Throw in some salt, starch, or any additives of your choice, and you’ve got yourself a brand-new flavor concoction! More About How to Use Concentrated Soy Sauce in Cooking Concentrated Soy Sauce: Soy sauce is a familiar ingredient even to Western cooks these days. It holds a special place of importance in our list of 10 Essential Chinese Pantry Ingredients , and is truly essential to not just Chinese cooking, but Asian cooking in general. But if you have questions or other information to share, please let us know in the comments below! How Is It Used? The reduction process removes water content, decreasing volume and weight. This makes concentrated soy sauce cheaper to transport in bulk.