Lorem ipsum

Oyster Sauce 101

24 May 2024

Oyster Sauce 101

Oyster sauce is an indispensable ingredient in many Asian cuisines, adding a unique flavour and aroma to any dish in which it is used. It is made from oyster extracts, sugar, salt, and water, cooked into a rich, caramel-coloured sauce that delivers a sweet, salty, and deeply umami taste.

However, not all oyster sauces are created equal. Despite the simple ingredients, the quality of the sauce varies depending on the brand. The best oyster sauce is made with real oyster extracts, while cheaper versions often use artificial oyster flavourings. Therefore, it is essential to choose a brand known for its authenticity and quality.

How is Oyster Sauce Made?

Making oyster sauce begins with carefully selecting fresh oysters. These are then cooked until they form an extract, which serves as the base for the sauce. After extracting the oyster liquid, it is cooked with a mixture of sugar, salt, and any other additions a specific brand may use to create its unique flavour profile. This mixture is then slowly reduced until it reaches the right thickness and intensity. The art of making oyster sauce lies in balancing the rich umami flavour without becoming overpowering and achieving a consistency thick enough for culinary use yet fluid enough to easily mix with other ingredients.

Oyster sauce can be used in various ways in the kitchen. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Marinating: Oyster sauce is an excellent marinade for meat, fish, or tofu. Mix it with other ingredients like soy sauce, garlic, and ginger for extra flavour.
Stir-frying: Add a dash of oyster sauce to your stir-fry dishes for a rich, savoury taste. It's especially delicious with vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms, and peppers.
Dipping sauce: Combine oyster sauce with soy sauce and rice vinegar for a simple yet flavourful dipping sauce for dumplings or spring rolls.
Soups and sauces: Oyster sauce can also be used as a flavour enhancer in soups and sauces. It adds extra depth to classics like wonton soup or stir-fry sauce.
Grilled dishes: Add a spoonful of oyster sauce to your marinade for grilled meat, fish, or vegetables to create a delicious caramel-like glaze.

Is Oyster Sauce Gluten-Free?

Traditionally, no wheat or other grains are used in the making of oyster sauce. However, some manufacturers may add grains such as wheat as a thickener for the sauce, so it's always advisable to carefully check the ingredient list before purchasing oyster sauce.

We offer Chinese gluten-free oyster sauce and Thai gluten-free oyster sauce.

Is oyster sauce vegetarian?

Because oyster sauce is traditionally made with real oysters, it is not suitable for vegetarians. Fortunately, there are now variants on the market specifically designed for vegetarian and vegan diets. These are often made from mushrooms or other plant-based ingredients and can have a similar taste and texture to traditional oyster sauce.

Discover our vegetarian and vegan oyster sauceshere and here.

What should I look for when buying oyster sauce?

When buying oyster sauce, it is important to check the ingredients list and ensure that you choose a brand that uses real oyster extracts and not artificial flavourings. It is also advisable to check whether the sauce is gluten-free or suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets, depending on your personal dietary preferences.