Glass bottle of soya sauce with red plastic lid isolated on white.
FOOD NEWS
What's The Difference Between Light And Dark Soy Sauce?
By Haldan Kirsch
pouring Soy sauce
Soy sauce is a popular Chinese condiment that comes in two main types, light and dark. They’re similar in flavor with differences that make them better suited for different uses.
soy sauce in a glass cup. beautiful shadow from the gravy boat
Light soy sauce is thin and dark with a light sweetness and acidity. Slightly saltier than dark soy sauce, light soy sauce is more common in Chinese cooking.
Steamed Asian Pork Dumplings with Soy Sauce and Green Onions
This is because light soy sauce can reliably add flavor without altering color. Its light flavor makes it a preferred dipping sauce for foods like dumplings.
Rice dish topped with beef and dark soy sauce
Sugar or caramel is added to dark soy sauce, giving it a darker color and sweeter flavor. It’s often used sparingly or as a finishing touch since it can overpower other flavors.
White dish of Yakisoba with seafood macaroni vegetable shrimp typical oriental Chinese and Japanese dish
Dark soy sauce adds a wine-like complexity to foods like stews and braises, but it can overly darken them if cooked for too long. Therefore, it’s added late in the cooking process.