Soy sauce is a common product in every Vietnamese family, used for seasoning or as a dipping sauce. Let’s explore with AVAKids what soy sauce is, its benefits, uses, and how to use this product through the article below!

1Understanding Soy Sauce

1.1. What is soy sauce?

Soy sauce, also known as xì dầu (from the Cantonese pronunciation), is a dark-colored liquid with a moderate salty taste used to marinate food, as a dipping sauce, or as a seasoning for everyday meals. It’s primarily produced from soybeans through fermentation and aging over a long period.

Low-sodium Chibi soy sauce 150ml bottle

1.2. How is soy sauce made?

To create delicious and rich soy sauce, manufacturers use 100% naturally fermented pure soybeans. This method not only preserves the exquisite taste of soybeans but is also safe for consumers’ health.

There are six steps in soy sauce production. It begins with selecting ingredients, sterilizing soybeans and wheat, then fermenting the mixture naturally for 3-6 months. Afterward, it’s pasteurized and blended with other ingredients to create standard, naturally rich soy sauce.

Soy sauce is made from pure soybeans

1.3. Nutritional value of soy sauce

100g of soy sauce contains the following components:

• 53 kcal
• 0 mg cholesterol
• 0.6 g lipids
• 5,493 mg sodium
• 435 mg potassium
• 0.8 g fiber
• 4.9 g carbohydrates
• 8 g protein
• 0.4 g sugar
• 0 mg vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin D
• 33 mg calcium
• 1.4 mg iron
• 0.1 mg vitamin B6
• 74 mg magnesium

Maggi Mild Soy Sauce 300ml bottle

2Is soy sauce the same as oyster sauce?

Soy sauce is not oyster sauce. Oyster sauce is a sauce made by processing oysters. The most common oyster sauce today is a dark brown, thick sauce made from sugar, salt, water, and cornstarch, flavored with oyster extract.

Meanwhile, soy sauce is made from naturally fermented pure soybeans, and it’s thinner, not as thick as oyster sauce. Therefore, in terms of ingredients and appearance, these two seasonings are completely different.

Maggi Thick Soy Sauce 300ml bottle

3What is the difference between xì dầu and soy sauce?

Soy sauce and xì dầu are essentially the same; the name varies by region. Both are dipping sauces made from soybeans, roasted grains, salt, and water through fermentation or hydrolysis.

Xì dầu is simply a Chinese name derived from the Cantonese pronunciation “see-yau.” However, in Southern Vietnam, it’s often called nước tương (literally “soy sauce”) because it’s made from đậu tương (soybeans).

4Differences between types of soy sauce

4.1. Differences in ingredients

Currently, soy sauce is extracted from various ingredients such as soybeans, peanuts, etc. They are pressed or fermented to obtain oil, which can create different aromas and flavors.

4.2. Differences in production process

Soy sauce using peanut oil cake as the main ingredient is made through acid hydrolysis.

Soy sauce made from soybeans as the main ingredient is fermented and takes 3-4 months to produce the final product.

Soy sauce making method

5How to use soy sauce in cooking

5.1. Use as a dipping sauce

Soy sauce is often used as a dipping sauce for various dishes from boiled vegetables, tofu, stir-fried noodles, spring rolls, and many other dishes. The purpose of using this dipping sauce is to enhance the flavor of the dish, making the meal more flavorful and enjoyable.

Soy sauce used as a dipping sauce

5.2. Use to marinate ingredients

Many people use soy sauce to marinate ingredients like meat, shrimp, and many others. This not only helps the ingredients absorb the flavor evenly but also brings an attractive aroma to the dish.

However, not all ingredients or dishes can be marinated with soy sauce. Because soy sauce has a slightly acidic taste when cooked, it is only suitable for marinating grilled, steamed, and some stir-fried dishes.

Using soy sauce to marinate meat for an attractive color

5.3. Use for vegetarians

Because soy sauce is made from pure soybeans, many vegetarians or vegans choose soy sauce as a familiar and indispensable seasoning in every meal.

Soy sauce used as a seasoning for vegetarians

5.4. Use in pickled dishes

Some dishes use soy sauce for pickling to create delicious flavors and remove fishy smells, such as pickled radish, pickled eggs, pickled shrimp, and many other dishes.

Eggs pickled in soy sauce

6Notes on buying safe and quality soy sauce

Soy sauce offers excellent benefits for everyday meals. However, you should pay attention to the following points to ensure safety and quality for your health when purchasing soy sauce:

• Buy products from reputable establishments such as trusted stores and supermarkets.
• Choose soy sauce from reputable and safe brands like Ofukuro, Maggi, etc.
• Traditional soy sauce produced by hand-crafted methods is usually more expensive but offers a more delicious flavor. Supermarket soy sauce, produced industrially, is cheaper. Choose the type that suits your preference and needs.
• Check the production date and expiration date before purchasing. After opening, use within 1-2 months to maintain the flavor and quality of the soy sauce.

Ofukuro Organic Soy Sauce 100ml bottle

7Where to buy reputable and quality soy sauce

You should buy soy sauce at authorized distributors, shopping malls, or AVAKids stores. You can browse and purchase directly at the store or through the website avakids.com.

This article has provided information about what soy sauce is, its uses, and how to use it. We hope it helps you understand this seasoning better and create delicious dishes for your family. If you have any questions, please contact the hotline 1900.866.874 or visit the website avakids.com for the quickest response.