So many condiments add life to your dish with their flavor and composition. While many people use mayonnaise, ranch, ketchup, mustard and hot sauce, soy sauce is growing in popularity.
Once you find the best one, it’s bound to be a staple in your pantry.
The Rise of Soy Sauce to Popularity
Soy sauce has always been a popular condiment, especially in Asian cuisine. Its rise to fame could be linked to the popularity of Asian dishes in the culinary world. Cooking shows that celebrate Asian cooking techniques and flavors share unique takes and delicious tastes with the world.
People also love to try new things and soy sauce’s rise in demand is slowly garnering interest in the market. Soy sauce production in Japan had already jumped to 697 thousand metric tons in 2022, and the future is bound to get even saucier.
Another reason everyone’s purchasing soy sauce now is that more people are cooking at home. People want to make something authentic rather than order out every other night. Cooking at home has also become more common since early 2020 due to economic uncertainty and new spending habits.
The Best Soy Sauce Brands to Try
There are numerous flavor-packed contenders to choose from, each with its own distinctions. Here’s a guide to the best soy sauce products to try out.
1. San-J
San-J is a Japanese soy sauce brand with over 220 years of experience in the industry. It has mastered the fermentation techniques necessary to create its premium Tamari Soy Sauce. It uses 100% soybeans and zero wheat for a rich and bold umami taste.
Aside from its versatile flavor, it’s vegan, gluten-free and verified non-GMO by the Non-GMO Project. Marinate your meats and seafood in this sauce, or dip your sushi, sashimi or veggies in the delectable sauce as it is.
2. Kikkoman
Kikkoman originated in 1917 when multiple families came together to build a soy sauce business. The brand name itself symbolizes the importance of progress and longevity, which encapsulates the importance of heritage in cooking.
Kikkoman Soy Sauce comes in various formulas, from the regular non-GMO version to a gluten-free one. If you’re looking for a condiment with a less salty flavor profile, there’s a Less Sodium Soy Sauce that’s more mellow.
3. Pearl River Bridge
Pearl River Bridge is a recognizable name in the Chinese food industry thanks to its large selection of seasonings and condiments. It supplies homes, restaurants, wholesalers and more in over 150 countries and regions worldwide.
Consider using Pearl River Bridge Superior Light Soy sauce in your recipes. The condiment has undergone more than 100 days of fermentation, creating a mild yet flavorful taste and aroma ideal for dipping.
4. Lee Kum Kee
Lee Kum Kee was created in 1888 through the invention of oyster sauce. It eventually branched out to other condiments that would represent and shape Chinese culinary culture around the world, providing more than 300 varieties of sauces to over 100 countries.
Consider using the Double Fermented Soy Sauce, which is naturally brewed with zero artificial preservatives. It’s been double fermented with a high-quality koji starter to give it that rich umami taste. The white sugar in the mix adds a hint of sweetness.
5. Bourbon Barrel Foods
Bourbon Barrel Foods was inspired by craft food and artisans to create a microbrew soy sauce. While its owners had classical French training, the Asian condiment was foreign to them, which led them to research and devise a unique aging process.
Essentially, the soy sauce uses limestone-filtered water and is aged in a bourbon barrel to pay tribute to the company’s Kentucky roots. The result is the Bluegrass Soy Sauce that’s meaty and briny while having the slightest bit of sweetness.
6. Yamasa
Yamasa has been operating for about four centuries, striving to craft authentic, high-quality ingredients that showcase Japanese craftsmanship and cuisine. It has introduced soy sauce to professionals and home chefs across the U.S.
The Yamasa Tamari Organic Gluten-Free is one of the brand’s best options. It is made from organic soybeans. Organic alcohol is also incorporated to retain its freshness. The sauce itself has a distinctive red color and umami taste that brings balance to dishes.
7. Sempio
Sempio has been a household name in the fermented food industry for more than 70 years. While it’s known for Korean products like kimchi and gochujang, it’s also recognized for its industry-leading soy sauce.
One of its best-sellers is the Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce 501. Its deep color adds a beautiful hue to any dish. Thanks to its six-month fermentation process with lactic acid and healthy yeast, it also contains a rich flavor and aroma.
8. Aloha Shoyu
Aloha Shoyu was established in 1946 by five Japanese families in Hawaii. It creates shoyu that pays tribute to the Hawaiian culture of kindness and unity. Many locals are fond of the company’s condiments, which capture over 65% of the island’s market share.
The Original Blend Soy Sauce is the signature offering that offers a smooth and earthy taste. Compared to other options on the market, it has a low-acidity flavor that’s easy on the tastebuds, which is ideal for first-time tasters.
9. Kimlan
Kimlan represents the Taiwanese community, showcasing top-quality soy sauce since the 1960s. It utilizes fully automated climate-controlled fermentation tanks to achieve preparation efficiency during production.
While many variations are available in its line, consider the Super Special Kimlan Soy Sauce. It uses licorice extract and malic acid for additional depth. Plus, it is brewed twice and fermented for over a year for a rich and flavorful consistency.
10. La Choy
La Choy was founded in 1922 to help homes across North America prepare and cook Asian-style dishes. It began with canned bean sprouts before branching out to soy sauces in 1965. La Choy also provides meal starters and frozen meal options.
The La Choy Soy Sauce is a versatile, all-purpose sauce that adds an Asian spin to whatever you’re making. If you want a milder formula, the La Choy Less Sodium Soy Sauce is less salty and lighter in color.
Dishes to Help Your Soy Sauce Shine
Once you have the best soy sauce, the next step is to incorporate it into your cooking. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of options when choosing a recipe.
1. Chili Garlic Silken Tofu
If you want a vegetarian dish, consider making chili garlic silken tofu. Tofu provides up to 34 grams of protein per serving. Plus, the silken kind is light and soft in texture while being incredibly flavorful when incorporated with soy sauce.
To recreate this liquid gold, toast your chili and garlic in sesame oil before adding soy sauce. If you want to add a sweet kick, pour in some honey and mix. Add it to the tofu and enjoy the dish alone or with a bed of freshly cooked white rice.
2. Shrimp Fried Rice
Have some leftover cooked rice? Make delicious shrimp fried rice in under an hour. Remember to peel and remove the tail of your shrimp. Then, mix the soy sauce with sesame oil, salt and pepper before stirring it into the rice and shrimp mixture until everything is incorporated.
3. Lo Mein Stir Fry
Lo mein or stirred noodles are also a fan favorite. You can combine them with soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar and garlic for an iconic salty and sweet lo mein sauce.
You can use anything from spaghetti to ramen noodles for the base. As for the veggies, mushrooms, carrots, bell peppers and bok choy are the standard. However, you can experiment with broccoli, cabbage and your other favorite greens.
4. Soy Garlic Marinade
You can create a soy sauce and garlic marinade. It’s great for meats and vegetables. The flavor sticks, whether you’re frying, barbecuing or roasting your dish.
The base consists of soy sauce, garlic, salt, pepper, dried oregano, green onions and a tad of ketchup. You can also incorporate honey for extra sweetness and white wine vinegar for tanginess. The latter is also a natural meat tenderizer making tougher cuts of meat easier to work with and more delicious.
5. Soy Dipping Sauce
Soy sauce can also be used to create a savory dip for Asian dishes. It’s the perfect accompaniment for dumplings, egg rolls and lettuce wraps. The dipping sauce can also be used for sushi, sashimi and hot pot.
Mix your soy sauce with rice vinegar and sesame oil. Sprinkle and dissolve a pinch of sugar to balance out the flavors. You can add extra ingredients like green onion and hot red pepper flakes to subtly adjust the taste. Ginger and wasabi can be strong, so add them in moderation.
Unlock Your Kitchen’s Potential With Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is becoming a top-tier condiment in many people’s eyes, taking over kitchens and meal plans across the world. Find the flavor that matches your taste buds and stock up on this beloved ingredient to start creating delicious dishes.
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