Soy sauce is a staple ingredient in pantries, store cupboards, and kitchens all over the country, neigh, the world.
The salty sweetness of this sauce is a key component to many of America’s favorite dishes, such as teriyaki chicken, ramen, chow mein, and much more. The distinctive taste is known as umami, which can be understood as a pleasant, savory, and moreish flavor.
Soy sauce certainly ticks all off these boxes. Sure, all soy sauce connoisseurs have their favorite brand, but what is the general census on soy?
This article tells you all about the Top Five Best Soy Sauce Brands around and provides a handy FAQ for all your soy sauce queries.
So without further ado, here are our mouthwatering top picks.
Best Soy Sauce Brand – Comparison Table
Best Soy Sauce Brand – Reviews
Kikkoman Japan Made Soy Sauce Original
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The first on our list just had to be Kikkoman’s Japan Made Soy Sauce. The reviews on this product alone should tell you everything you need to know. This is the most authentic soy sauce available in the US due to it being imported directly from Japan.
Fans of this sauce say that it tastes exactly as it does coming from a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant. The Japanese brew has gained some attention because soy sauce savants persistently encourage others to branch out from the Americanized versions of soy and try the classic.
Kikkoman’s Japan Made Soy Sauce is exactly how it is meant to be. It boasts umami in the purest sense. Speaking of pure, there are no artificial preservatives in sight in this beauty. It uses alcohol as its preservative, ensuring naturalness is at its forefront.
The number one ingredient is soybeans, which may seem obvious, but many American versions list wheat as their number one ingredient. This ensures that you get the absolute most in terms of flavor, hence why it is number one on our list.
Kishibori Shoyu (Pure Artisan Soy Sauce)
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An extremely close second is yet another imported brand. Kishibori Shoyu’s sauce has managed to gather up quite the fanbase.
What sets this sauce apart from others on the market is the fact that it has a slightly milder taste than some. This is achieved through the slow fermentation process.
Because it is fermented for so long in their 100-year-old barrels, the sauce needs no added preservatives or alcohol – promising a natural product that is still packed with flavor. The fermentation process also means that it is packed with some organic acids, giving health benefits too.
The taste of this packs a slightly salty punch, but it is of very high quality and is definitely one for those who claim they can tell the difference between fresh and store brought produce!
Lee Kum Kee Premium Dark Soy Sauce
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The next item on our list is the wonderful Premium Dark Soy Sauce from Lee Kum Kee. This little wonder is slightly thicker than other soy sauces out there and has a richer, deeper taste.
This is a perfect one for adding to broths and other recipes rather than dipping because of the full-bodied flavor it brings. As with the other two products discussed so far, this soy sauce stands leagues apart from some American brands out there in terms of taste.
It is on the salty side, which may put off some customers trying to cut down on their sodium, but it is perfect to use in place of salt in recipes.
Kikkoman Less Sodium Soy Sauce
No products found.Next up is the perfect product for those who are a little more health-conscious when it comes to sodium. Kikkoman is a well-established name in the soy sauce sector! Their Less Sodium version is one of their most popular products.
Whilst it certainly does have less salt, this does not harm the taste. It is a light soy sauce, making it perfect for both dippings, making sauces, and recipes. This is because the flavor doesn’t drown out other flavors.
Whilst the salt content is low, the soya bean content is high, ensuring that it packs the punch we all love so much from our soy!
Kikkoman Soy Sauce American-Made
No products found.Last up, we have yet another Kikkoman product. Their classic Soy sauce just had to be mentioned! This has long been a favorite in America and is probably one of the most well-known soy sauce bottles out there.
Whilst it is American-made, this does not impact the authentic taste we all know and love. Its complex flavoring and all-purpose nature mean it is perfect for everything from stir-fries to more delicate recipes and even sushi dipping.
This popular product is a classic for a reason, that’s for sure!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is soy sauce made from?
The typical soy sauce ingredients consist of soybeans, wheat, salt, and a fermenting agent such as yeast, Aspergillus oryzae, or Aspergillus sojae molds.
The fermenting process also makes sugars occur naturally, which helps give it a slightly sweet taste.
How long does soy sauce need to be fermented for?
Traditionally, soybeans were fermented for several months, but now the process is slightly shorter being just three weeks. Bear in mind that this is for the natural process.
There is also a chemical method used to make soy sauce far faster but uses lots of non-natural ingredients and additives.
Where does soy sauce originate from?
Soy sauce is thought to have come from the Ancient Han Dynasty of China over 2000 years ago in the form of ‘Jiang,’ which means preserved foods and ingredients.
It quickly spread across to Japan, though, and it is believed that the soy sauce we know today started off life there due to their process of brewing soy sauce.
Is soy sauce healthy?
As with most foods, soy sauce is absolutely fine to be used in moderation and can even be good for you because it is a fermented food with a high level of anti-oxidants.
That being said, lots of soy sauce products are high in sodium, which can be unhealthy and should be avoided by those who are on low-sodium diets.