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What is Oyster Sauce?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Oyster sauce is a flavorful, savory sauce of Chinese origin. As the name implies, it is traditionally made with oysters, although it is also possible to find vegetarian versions. There are a number of ways to use this piquant sauce, making it a useful addition to one's Asian sauce cupboard. One classic Chinese restaurant dish, broccoli beef, is often made with this sauce.

In addition to being used extensively in China, oyster sauce is also consumed in Thailand and the Philippines, and each nation has developed its own unique take on the sauce. All versions of the sauce owe their origins to ancient Asian sauces made with bases of fermented fish. These sauces all share the trait of being extremely savory as a result of high concentrations of free glutamates, which create a flavor known as umami in Asian cuisine.

Cornstarch, which is sometimes used to thicken oyster sauce.
Cornstarch, which is sometimes used to thicken oyster sauce.

Credit for the invention of oyster sauce is usually given to the Lee Kum Kee company, a venerable maker of sauces based in Hong Kong. The traditional sauce is made by cooking oysters over low heat for a long time, essentially creating a condensed oyster flavor. As the shellfish cook, the juices start to thicken and caramelize, yielding a very rich, dark, somewhat sweet sauce.

Oyster mushrooms can be used to make a vegetarian oyster sauce.
Oyster mushrooms can be used to make a vegetarian oyster sauce.

Modern oyster sauce often cuts a few corners, cooking oysters for a brief period of time in brine and then adding soy sauce and caramelized sugar to achieve the desired color and hint at the taste of umami from the oysters. Cornstarch may be added to the sauce to thicken it, and some companies also add monosodium glutamate (MSG) to enhance the flavor of the sauce.

Oyster sauce is traditionally made with oysters.
Oyster sauce is traditionally made with oysters.

Vegetarians don't have to be left out of the oyster sauce world. A very good vegetarian imitation is made with mushrooms, often oyster mushrooms, in fact, because they have a rich, meaty flavor which reminds many people of the seafood they are named for. Vegetarian versions are often more heavily adulterated with additives to achieve the desired flavor, although some more natural versions are available from companies which specialize in natural vegetarian food.

Soy sauce is used to make modern versions of oyster sauce.
Soy sauce is used to make modern versions of oyster sauce.

Oyster sauce can be used in stir fries, tossed with noodles, or drizzled over steamed vegetables and rice. It goes especially well with cellophane noodles. It can also be used as an innovative dip for sushi, teriyaki chicken, and an assortment of other foods.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon147361

is oyster sauce free from cholesterol?

anon145605

what is meant by crab fat.

alex94

@cmsmith10: This one works pretty well. It’s not quite the same because the flavor of the oyster is what makes the oyster sauce. You need 1 mushroom bouillon cube, ½ cup boiling water, 2 Tbsp. brown bean sauce, 1 Tbsp. unprocessed sugar, and 1 tsp. cornstarch dissolved in 1 tsp. cold water.

Dissolve the mushroom bouillon cube in the boiling water. Mix in the bean sauce and sugar, and heat until boiling. Add in the dissolved cornstarch and stir until the mixture is thick. Keep stored in refrigerator.

cmsmith10

I wanted to make some oyster sauce with a dinner that I am preparing for some friends. I just found out that one of my friends has a shellfish allergy. Are there any substitutions for oyster sauce?

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    • Cornstarch, which is sometimes used to thicken oyster sauce.
      By: vadim yerofeyev
      Cornstarch, which is sometimes used to thicken oyster sauce.
    • Oyster mushrooms can be used to make a vegetarian oyster sauce.
      By: Africa Studio
      Oyster mushrooms can be used to make a vegetarian oyster sauce.
    • Oyster sauce is traditionally made with oysters.
      By: Mat Hayward
      Oyster sauce is traditionally made with oysters.
    • Soy sauce is used to make modern versions of oyster sauce.
      By: karandaev
      Soy sauce is used to make modern versions of oyster sauce.
    • Broccoli beef is often made with oyster sauce.
      By: Joshua Resnick
      Broccoli beef is often made with oyster sauce.
    • Chicken and cashew stir-fry with oyster sauce.
      By: Periwinkle Studio
      Chicken and cashew stir-fry with oyster sauce.
    • Oyster sauce may be used as a dip for sushi.
      By: T.Tulik
      Oyster sauce may be used as a dip for sushi.