Asian cuisine has brought many gifts to the culinary world, including hoisin sauce. Sweet, salty and tangy all at once, this liquid gold is well-loved and used in many dishes.
What’s even better is that many reputable brands make it readily available.
Best Hoisin Sauce Brands
Store-bought hoisin sauce can have different flavor profiles depending on the brand, significantly influencing how it translates into your dish. Check out the best makers who can bring you the most authentic taste.
1. San-J
San-J is one of the best brands for fermented sauces, producing jar after jar for more than 220 years. While the Japanese manufacturer is best known for its premium Tamari Soy Sauce, it also makes a delectable hoisin sauce.
The San-J Hoisin Sauce provides that traditional sweet and salty taste without using any genetically modified organisms — also known as GMOs. It’s a gluten-free formula that’s ideal for those with sensitive stomachs. Apart from its wonderful taste, you get a nice sheen when incorporating it into any sweet or savory bowl.
Ingredients: Brown Sugar, Water, Red Miso (Water, Soybeans, Rice, Salt, Alcohol), Molasses, Tamari Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Alcohol), Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic Puree (Garlic, Water, Citric Acid), Ginger Puree (Ginger, Water, Salt, Citric Acid), Plum Juice Concentrate, Spice, Arrowroot, Inactive Yeast
2. Lee Kum Kee
Lee Kum Kee was established in 1888 in China when its founder invented the oyster sauce. It also produces different variations of soy sauces and teriyaki sauce, making it a culinary pioneer in condiment contributions.
The Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce is an iconic part of the brand’s product line. While no MSG is added, it’s on the saltier side with a stronger soybean flavor. No artificial flavoring or preservatives are used. It’s also verified vegan, so you can use it on your plant-based dishes without worry.
Ingredients: Sugar, Water, Fermented Soybean Paste (Water, Salt, Soybeans, Refined Wheat Flour (Maida)), Salt, Sweet Potato Powder, Colours (Caramel I-Plain, Allura Red AC), Modified Corn Starch, Sesame Paste, Dehydrated Garlic, Spices, Salted Chilli Peppers (Chilli Peppers, Salt), Acidity Regulator (Acetic Acid)
3. Kikkoman
Kikkoman has been brewing soy sauce in America for over a century, determined to bring more Asian flavors into American cuisine. While the sauces are more palatable to first-time eaters, they still pay tribute to their original tastes.
The Kikkoman Hoisin Sauce is branded an “elegant Asian barbecue sauce” on Kikkoman’s website. It melds sauces like soy sauce and plum puree to create a flavorful condiment with plenty of depth. You can use it as a marinade for meats and vegetables, but you can also mix it with other ingredients.
Ingredients: Sugar, Water, Miso (Water, Soybeans, Rice, Salt, Alcohol), Plum Puree, Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Wheat, Salt), Garlic, Vinegar, Caramel Color, Modified Corn Starch, Salt, Spices, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid
4. Kroger
Kroger is an American retailer that provides numerous fresh products across its branches to cater to the most iconic food trends and beloved flavors. Loyal customers love them for their affordable prices and convenient delivery services.
Kroger’s in-house Hoisin Sauce flies under the radar regarding Asian condiments, but it’s a great find, especially if you’re on a budget. It has more of a mellow and sesame-centered taste than other hoisin sauces. It works well on its own or when subtly flavoring dishes.
Ingredients: Sugar, Water, Miso (Soybeans, Rice, Sea Salt, Koji Starter [Aspergillus Oryzae]), Molasses, Pumpkin, Distilled Vinegar, Less than 2%: Garlic (Dried), Sesame Oil, Caramel Color, Xanthan Gum, Spices, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Sodium Benzoate (Preservative)
5. Blue Dragon
Blue Dragon is a popular UK brand that recreates and spreads Asian cuisine flavors throughout Europe, the U.S. and beyond. You can expect high-quality ingredients with little to no artificial colors and flavors for a satisfying experience.
The Blue Dragon Hoisin Sauce has strong flavors infused with it, satisfying hoisin connoisseurs and first-time tasters alike. You can water it down to reduce its impact or use it as a marinade to infuse meat or vegetables with vibrant flavor. Like most hoisin sauces, you should store it in a cool and dry place. It’s also free of preservatives, so the brand recommends refrigerating and using it within 30 days.
Ingredients: Sugar, Water, Vinegar, Salt, Modified corn starch, Toasted sesame oil, Soybean paste (water, soya beans, rice, salt), Caramel, Garlic puree, Xanthan gum, Chili powder
6. Chang’s
Chang’s is a family-owned business in Australia that’s passionate about sharing Asian cooking with Australians, going as far as venturing throughout the Asia Pacific region to discover the most delicious and staple flavors.
While it is best known for its Crispy Noodle Salad, the Chang’s Original Hoisin Sauce is also a great addition to the kitchen pantry. Many love using this gluten-free liquid as a marinade for their barbecues, but it can also be used for other Asian dishes. Chang’s offers a wide variety of recipes you can follow.
Ingredients: Water, Soy Beans, Modified Corn Starch (1422), Sugar, Vinegar, Garlic, Salt, Flavour Enhancer (621)
Where Is Hoisin Sauce From?
Hoisin sauce is a Cantonese sauce. It originates from a Chinese word that translates into “seafood.” There is some irony, as it’s rarely utilized in shellfish and other seafood dishes. Some may describe hoisin as having a seawater or fish-like smell, but many find the most authentic ones to have more of an umami taste and sweet scent.
What Does Hoisin Sauce Taste Like?
Hoisin sauce is salty and tangy with a tinge of sweetness. Variations from the most well-known brands may still have a distinctive taste, varying from meatiness to sugariness. While it can be used as is, most recipes typically adjust the taste by combining it with other condiments and spices.
Can You Make Hoisin Sauce From Scratch?
Hoisin sauce is a complex condiment as it traditionally involves fermentation. You can try making homemade hoisin sauce, but it can take extra effort. The results may also lack the authentic taste at the end of the day. It’s better to purchase from known brands with tried-and-true formulations. Plus, with a ready-made sauce, you can focus on other parts of your dish.
Hoisin Sauce vs Other Sauces
Here are the main distinctions between hoisin sauce and other popular condiments or substitutions:
- Oyster sauce: Hoisin and oyster sauces are both utilized in Asian cuisine, making them both good ingredients for your cooking adventures. However, it’s best to avoid using them interchangeably. Oyster sauce often has a saltier and richer flavor that can be too heavy compared to hoisin.
- Soy sauce: Soy sauce has quite a similar look to hoisin sauce, and some of the most well-known brands may even use it in their formulation. However, it’s still a different product as it has a higher concentration of soybeans, making it saltier. Like oyster sauce, soy sauce is much saltier than hoisin.
- Eel sauce: Eel sauce may be the closest to hoisin sauce in sweetness. However, eel sauce is often made with mirin and sugar, which gives it a more syrup-like flavor profile. Unlike hoisin — which can seem almost too spicy — eel sauce pairs much better with fish like unagi.
- Teriyaki sauce: Teriyaki and hoisin sauce share the same color and consistency. However, hoisin is Chinese, while teriyaki is Japanese. Hoisin is a little thicker and saltier than teriyaki.
Using Hoisin Sauce
Once you’ve bought a fresh jar of hoisin sauce from one of the best brands, it can be used for almost anything. If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are some of the most popular options:
- Fried rice: Everyone loves a warm bowl of fried rice, and hoisin sauce can make the dish even more enticing. A little goes a long way, even on its own. You can use it in high-protein dishes like shrimp fried rice with eggs. It can also pair well with more meat-based fried rice.
- Stir fry: Stir-fry is another must-try Asian dish that combines your choice of meat with onions, bell peppers and other vegetables. While many prefer soy sauce, hoisin can also be a great base. You can add Chinese Shaoxing wine to enhance the flavor further.
- Dipping sauce: Create a dipping sauce for freshly steamed vegetables, spring roll wraps, hotpot, dumplings and more. Add hoisin and peanut butter and then mix in rice vinegar and garlic. You can adjust by watering it down to your preferred consistency and flavor before adding crushed peanuts on top.
- Gravy: Another popular way of using hoisin sauce is as a gravy. You can mix it with chicken stock, fresh ginger and sesame oil to create a dark and flavorful sauce. Others like to put this as a glaze on their chicken and barbecue, but it also pairs beautifully with meats like roast duck.
Exploring Hoisin Sauce Brands
Hoisin sauce is an irreplaceable staple in Asian cuisine, and many companies hope to showcase that to food lovers everywhere. Find the best brands during your next grocery run or while browsing online and give them a try.
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