oyster sauce
Briny stir-fry glaze
Oyster sauce is a thick, dark brown condiment made from oyster extracts, sugar, and salt.
It has a savory, slightly sweet flavor that adds depth to stir-fries, marinades, and vegetable dishes.
Central to Cantonese cooking, it appears in countless Chinese restaurant dishes: Broccoli beef gets its glossy coating from oyster sauce.
Southern Chinese dialect
- SzechuanSouthwestern Chinese province/cuisine
- HunanSpicy Chinese regional cuisine
- dim sumChinese small-plate tradition
- stir-fryQuick-cook in hot oil
wok · bok choy · noodles · dumplings · spring rolls · tofu · chow mein · lo mein
Fifth taste sensation
glossy · caramelized · depth · complexity · mouthfeel · meaty · earthy · pungent
Rapid high-heat cooking
- braisingSear, then simmer covered
- marinatingSoaking food in flavored liquid
- glazingGlossy protective coating
- velvetingProtein-coating technique for tenderness
sautéing · deglazing · finishing · tossing · coating · drizzling · basting · seasoning
Fermented soybean condiment
- sesame oilPressed seed extract for cooking
- rice vinegarFermented grain condiment
- chili oilPepper-steeped fat
- kecap manisSweet Indonesian soy sauce
Crystalline carbohydrate sweetener
- saltSodium chloride compound
- cornstarchMaize-derived thickening powder
- MSGUmami compound, abbreviated
- waterClear essential liquid
Cantonese
Southern Chinese dialect
- SzechuanSouthwestern Chinese province/cuisine
- HunanSpicy Chinese regional cuisine
- dim sumChinese small-plate tradition
stir-fry · wok · bok choy · noodles · dumplings · spring rolls · tofu · chow mein · lo mein · chop suey
umami
Fifth taste sensation
rich · glossy · caramelized · depth · complexity · mouthfeel · meaty · earthy · pungent · concentrated
stir-frying
Rapid high-heat cooking
- braisingSear, then simmer covered
- marinatingSoaking food in flavored liquid
- glazingGlossy protective coating
velveting · sautéing · deglazing · finishing · tossing · coating · drizzling · basting · seasoning
hoisin
Fermented soybean condiment
- sesame oilPressed seed extract for cooking
- rice vinegarFermented grain condiment
- chili oilPepper-steeped fat
kecap manis · mirin · tamari · teriyaki
sugar
Crystalline carbohydrate sweetener
- saltSodium chloride compound
- cornstarchMaize-derived thickening powder
- MSGUmami compound, abbreviated
water · thickener · preservatives · molasses · wheat flour
- saucesgravy, ketchup, mustard, pesto, marinara
- Asian condimentssambal, chili paste, sriracha, shrimp paste, tamarind paste
- Oystersblue point, Kumamoto, Wellfleet, Galway, Colchester
- liquidswater, milk, oil, blood, juice
- Pantry Itemsflour, pasta, rice, oats, dried beans
- stir frywok, bok choy, bean sprouts, sesame oil, high heat
oyster saucerice vinegar
Fermented grain condiment
mirin · sake · sesame oil · plain water
oyster saucesweet chili sauce
Sugary hot pepper condiment
rice vinegar · lemon juice · honey · sugar syrup · tamarind paste