What is soy sauce and where can you buy it?

Recipes often call for soy sauce to add a hit of saltiness and umami but soy sauces vary hugely in flavour, so it pays to know what the brands you actually like the taste of, and when to use them.

Different types of soy sauce

Shoyu/Japanese soy sauce

Shoyu, Japanese soy sauce, tends to be clearer and thinner than Chinese and other Asian varieties. Kikkoman is the most well-known brand.

All-purpose soy sauce

All-purpose is darker than light soy, which actually has a saltier, sweeter flavour, though less colour. Use both for dipping and in recipes, depending on whether you are after colour (all-purpose) or saltiness (light).

Chinese soy sauce

Chinese soy sauce splits into light and dark categories: lighter soy has a more assertive flavour while dark has more colour and is thicker. If in doubt use light, although many recipes call for some of each to balance both colour and flavour.

Tamari

Tamari is a type of soy sauce originating from Japan. The main difference from other soy sauce is that it contains little to no gluten. It’s considered to be the ‘original’ Japanese soy sauce, since the recipe is closest to the soy sauce introduced to Japan from China. Tamari is fairly strong in flavour and can be used in both recipes and for dipping, often used for sashimi.

Where to buy soy sauce

Country Range dark soy sauce, £4.99/1ltr, olive shop

Kikkoman soy sauce, £3/150ml, Ocado

Cooks' Ingredients tamari, £3/150ml, Waitrose

Soy sauce recipes

Chicken fried rice

Make this really speedy meal when time is of the essence. It's ideal for using up left-over rice and left-over chicken, too.

Pineapple fried rice

Golden Mountain is a popular soy sauce in Thailand, with a slightly deeper and sweeter flavour. But you can also use dark soy sauce with Maggi Liquid Seasoning.

Silken tofu

Enjoy this creamy silken tofu as a side or starter to an Asian-themed feast. Smother in soy sauce, gochujang and sesame seeds to soak up the flavour.

Soy sauce chow mein

Ready in 20 minutes and low in calories, this midweek chow mein calls for noodles, bean sprouts and a simple soy sauce dressing. Serve topped with a fried egg.

Soy-glazed pork chops

Try these quick and easy pork chops with a sticky and sweet soy glaze. The dish is low in calories and takes less than 30 minutes to make.

Soy steamed sea bream with ginger and spring onions

Give your sea bream a fragrant lift with fresh ginger, soy sauce, red chilli and spring onions. This recipe is best made in a steamer but is still easy to cook without one.

Thai braised pork

Muu hong is a slow-cooked recipe from Phuket, Thailand. This rich, fragrant braise features soy sauce and spices such as pepper, star anise and cassia. The pork should be so tender you can cut it with a spoon.

Chinese lettuce with ginger soy sauce

Blanch Romaine lettuce to intensify its sweetness and flavour before bathing it in a delicate soy dressing with sesame oil and ginger.

Pak choi with garlic and soy sauce

One of the best ways to serve baby pak choi – lightly boiled and drizzled with soy sauce and homemade garlic oil.

Soy and butter braised mushrooms

Pan fry mushrooms in butter with ginger, chilli and soy for a quick and easy vegetarian meal.