My Favorite Asian Condiments

There are a few condiments that I swear by and always have in stock in my pantry, sometimes even a bunch of backups when they go on sale! Since I am super lucky to live in Vancouver, where I can access authentic Asian condiments at my local supermarket, I included US links for all the products as I know it is a lot harder to access them! I will try my best to include Amazon Links for the available ones, so it is easy to order them wherever you are. 

Soy Sauce: There are a few brands that I love ranging between different price points. I don’t like overly salty soy sauce, and I prefer it when they are lighter in color. Below are my go-to soy sauce brands in my preferred order: 

1. Wan Ja Shan Vintage Soy Sauce ($14.95) (https://amzn.to/3j6dOFP)
2. Yamasa Soy Sauce ($8.79) (https://amzn.to/2SZmm6G)
3. Kikkoman Japan Made Soy Sauce ($8.82) (https://amzn.to/2HhUgRm) 

Dark Soy Sauce: Dark soy sauce is thicker, less slightly, and has more depth. It is the perfect addition to Asian dishes as it adds a beautiful color without over-salting the dish. I would highly recommend purchasing Dark Soy Sauce as a little goes a long way! 

1. Lee Kum Kee Premium Dark Soy Sauce ($8.99) https://amzn.to/2H8hGZN
2. Pearl River Bridge Dark Soy Sauce ($6.85) https://amzn.to/3lT1Ocu

Sesame Oil: I grew up ONLY using this one brand of sesame oil, and it is 100% my favorite sesame oil. I have given other ones I tried, but I always find the taste too artificial or overpowering. I would highly recommend this brand, but if you never tried it before, get the smaller bottle as a little goes a long way with it! 

1. Kadoya Pure Sesame Oil 5.5 Oz ($13.76) https://amzn.to/2T4Be3D
2. Kadoya Pure Sesame Oil 11 Oz ($7.67)  https://amzn.to/2FF2gM4
3. Kadoya Pure Sesame Oil 22 Oz ($5.14) https://amzn.to/3dzRpzl

Fish Sauce: This can be an intimidating condiment as the smell is very overpowering. However, I promise if you use it the right way, it adds delicious flavor to the dish. I love pairing fish sauce with garlic and sugar, its CHEFS KISS. There are two brands of fish sauce that I always reach for – 

1. Three Crabs Brand Fish Sauce ($9.80) https://amzn.to/3lXIOK6
2. Golden Boy Brand Fish Sauce ($7) https://amzn.to/3kkJZTv

Oyster Sauce: There is only ONE brand of oyster sauce I swear by, and it is Lee Kum Kee’s Premium Oyster Sauce. It is so good and the only brand that doesn’t have an overly fake fish scent. Also, a little goes a long way; a bottle usually last 3-4 months for me! 

1. Lee Kum Kee Premium Oyster Sauce ($12.99) https://amzn.to/37gVtng

Vegetarian Oyster Sauce: OK, this stuff is GOOD; sometimes, I even use this instead of oyster sauce because it is a thinner consistency and more comfortable to work with. If you are not a big fan of seafood smell, try this instead. This is the only brand I use, and once again, a little goes a LONG way; this makes a perfect dipping sauce with some minced garlic for potstickers!  

Wan Ja Shan Vegetarian Mushroom Oyster Sauce ($11.16) https://amzn.to/2HcXzcQ

Black Vinegar: I only use one black vinegar, but they don’t sell it on Amazon. However, I also tried this other brand before, and it’s also delicious. If you don’t want to spend money on black vinegar, you can also mix equal parts of soy sauce and rice vinegar! 

1. Kong Yen Black Vinegar 
2. Gold Plum Chinkiang Vinegar ($9.49) https://amzn.to/3k8y9eK

Chinese Cooking Wine: This is the only brand of Chinese cooking wine that I use. It one of those things that I grew up with as my mom, grandma, and even great-grandma only use this brand. Chinese cooking wine is excellent at adding flavor but also tenderizing the meat!  

1. Michiu ($14.97) https://amzn.to/3j3nZel

Mirin: Mirin is a type of sweet Japanese cooking wine that is used in most Japanese dishes; a little goes a long way, so I would for sure pick this up as well! FYI, this is not the same as Chinese cooking wine, and you cannot substitute for one another. 

1. Mizkan Mirin ($14.64) https://amzn.to/37fO6w4
2. Mitsukan Seasoning Cooking Mirin ($9.10) https://amzn.to/3o0mpNW

Sushi Seasoning: This is my favorite sushi seasoning, and many times I use this instead of rice vinegar because it has a nice sweetness! I would highly recommend picking this up as it acts as a two in one for rice vinegar. 

1. Mizkan Vinegar Sushi Seasoning ($8.95) https://amzn.to/3o3knga

Bean Paste (Dou Ban Jiang): I am so excited because my favorite brand of bean paste is on Amazon! This is my go-to brand, and I would highly recommend picking this up as it’s super convenient when you are making Asian dishes at homes such as Mapo Tofu or Ramen! 

1. Sichuan Pixian Bean Paste ($14.99) https://amzn.to/2T46mQM

Korean Chilli Paste (Gochujang): This is the sauce that I used in my Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken video that you loved! These two are the go-to brands that I always use.

1. CJ Haechandle Gochujang ($10.65) https://amzn.to/2FAVcjq
2. Chung Jung One Sunchang Hot Pepper Paste ($8.50) https://amzn.to/343hDqV

Mayo: Promise me you will only get this brand for Japanese Mayo because there is simply no other! Trust me!!! 

1. Premium Japnese Mayonnaise ($9.95) https://amzn.to/37eQUtx

Some of the links are affiliated; however, these are condiments that I would recommend to all my family and friends regardless if I make a small cut of the commission! Let me know if there are any other condiments you want me to try our or if you want me to do a must-have spice one too! 

Love,

Tiffy