There isn't a single, definitive list of "6 Chinese sauces," as Chinese cuisine is vast, but essential staples often cited include Soy Sauce, Hoisin Sauce, Oyster Sauce, Chili Oil, Sesame Oil, and Vinegar, forming foundational flavors, while other key players like Black Bean Sauce, Sweet Bean Sauce, and Shaoxing Wine are also crucial. These sauces provide salty, sweet, spicy, umami, and aromatic bases for countless dishes.
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THE ESSENTIAL CHINESE SAUCES THAT WILL TRANSFORM YOUR COOKING
This versatile Escalon product has long been a favorite of pizza and pasta operators because of its sweet tomato flavor, bright natural color and thick, rich consistency. 6 in 1® contains only vine-ripened, unpeeled ground tomatoes, extra-heavy purée and a touch of salt.
Soy Sauce(Jiangyou) usage in Chinese Food
Soy Sauce is the king of all sauces for Chinese. The usage of soy sauce in Chinese cooking is as important as it is salt & pepper in western cuisine. Chinese use soy sauce almost every day; every Asian household will keep at least one bottle of soy sauce in their house.
Soy sauce probably the most widely known of all Chinese sauces. Made from fermented soybeans, it has a rich, salty flavor, a dark brown color, and a liquid consistency. It is ubiquitous in Chinese cooking, and is used in soups in stir fry dishes. It is also a component of many of the other sauces on this list.
We explore some of the most popular Asian sauces and discuss their unique characteristics and culinary uses:
18 Best Chinese Sauces: Origins, Flavours and Serving Suggestions
These flavours include bitter, sweet, spicy/pungent, salty and sour. Many foods that you eat are sweet, not as in sugary but as in nurturing. Also, an excess of one flavour over the others can lead to imbalances in Qi, Yin and Yang as well as deficiencies in these or the organ systems.
Peking sauce is closely related to hoisin sauce, but not quite the same. Hoisin is thick and sweet, while Peking sauce adds tangy and aromatic notes from ingredients like vinegar, garlic and ginger. The result is a more balanced flavour, though the familiar base of hoisin still comes through.
So a seasoned soy sauce is that so-called “mother sauce” that your takeout restaurant is reaching for. But different restaurants are… different, and have different needs. A Sichuan noodle vendor's seasoned soy sauce could be steeped with spices.
Top 12 Low Sodium Asian Sauces
Cornstarch serves an essential role in creating the glossy, thickened sauces that cling lovingly to ingredients in a stir-fry or drape over items in a dish, providing texture and depth.
There are 5 types of Mother Sauce namely Hollandaise Sauce, Bechamel Sauce, Tomato Sauce, Veloute Sauce, Espagnole Sauce.
Ground bean sauce is a key Cantonese ingredient for marinades, stir-fries, braises, and sauces. In Cantonese, we call it, “meen see jeung,” and use it in stewed dishes and Chinese BBQ recipes like our Takeout-style Chinese Spare Ribs. Made with fermented yellow soy beans and spices, it's less sweet than hoisin.
Nutrition
Some basic essential sauces are oyster sauce, soy sauce (light and dark), black vinegar, sesame oil, chili oil (there are many kinds - look for this brand). Other essentials for Chinese cooking: Chinese 5 spice, Chinese peppercorns (essential for Sichuan), star anise, and white pepper.
Light Soy Sauce
This sauce is commonly used for seasoning during cooking, as well as a dipping sauce. It works well in marinades and when a subtle salty note is needed without heaviness. In Chinese households, light soy sauce is often used to season noodle soups, rice dishes and simple vegetable stir-fries.
Herbs and seasonings
Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon, fennel, cloves and white peppers and smart weed are also used in different regions. To add extra flavor to the dishes, many Chinese cuisines also contain dried Chinese mushrooms, dried baby shrimp, dried tangerine peel, and dried Sichuan chillies.
Chefs prefer Cento San Marzano tomatoes for richest flavor, texture, and versatility. Look for canned tomatoes with just tomato, salt, and basil—no additives or sweeteners.
How to make a white sauce the all-in-one way
Marinara sauce is a tomato sauce usually made with tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and onions. Variations include capers, olives, spices, and a dash of wine.