Hokkien noodles

Hoisin Sauce is a popular condiment and ingredient in many Asian dishes, particularly within Chinese cuisine. It is a thick, fragrant sauce commonly used in stir-frying, marinating, and as a dipping sauce.

Origin and Etymology

The term "hoisin" is from the Cantonese word "hoi sin", which translates to "seafood", but the sauce does not contain any seafood ingredients. The name is likely due to its use in traditional seafood dishes.

Ingredients

Hoisin sauce is made from a mixture of fermented soybean paste, vinegar, sugar, garlic, chili peppers, and various spices. The specific recipe can vary between different brands and regions, but the main components remain the same.

Uses

Hoisin sauce is versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. It is often used as a glaze for meat, an addition to stir fries, or as a dipping sauce. It is a key ingredient in Peking Duck, a famous Chinese dish.

Variations

There are several regional variations of hoisin sauce. For example, in Vietnamese cuisine, a version of hoisin sauce known as "tương đen" is used in pho, a popular noodle soup.

See Also

• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Sweet and sour sauce
• Plum sauce