Renowned for its bold flavors, spices, and diverse ingredients, Asian sauces lend a lot to the cuisines. If you buy the right sauce or make your own at home, you can make an ordinary recipe amazing. These essential Asian sauce recipes will elevate your meal prep and excite your routine.
Our aim is to make it as easy and affordable as possible. Most people don’t usually have all of the ingredients at home for these sauces or much experience in making them. So most don’t bother, however it can be eye-opening to even try a basic sauce.
For some people though, store bought is good enough and there are a lot to choose from. So how do you know which are the right ones to buy? We’ve tried a number of them over the years and everyone will have their own personal favorites so this is not the be all, end all of sauces choices. This is more of a place to start. This post contains affiliate links.
The Essential Asian Sauces
1. Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is potentially the most common of Asian sauces, delivering a salty, umami flavor, and sometimes with a bit of sweetness. Commonly used for marinades, stir-fries, as a side sauce, and for deepening the flavor of broth. This is a great sauce to have on hand with Kikkoman being the most common.
The brands that we like:
- Kikkoman Low Sodium (Japanese) – Well-balanced and widely available.
- Lee Kum Kee (Chinese) – Richer and slightly sweeter.
- Pearl River Bridge (Chinese) – Authentic and strong umami flavor.
2. Oyster Sauce
Oyster sauce is extremely common Asian sauce offering a slightly sweet and briny flavor. As thick as it is, it’s great for glazes and marinades as well as adding depth to beef and broccoli dishes.
The brands that we like:
- Lee Kum Kee Premium Oyster Sauce – A go-to brand with deep umami taste.
- Maekrua Oyster Sauce – A Thai favorite, great for stir-fries.
3. Fish Sauce
Fish sauce by it’s name may not be the most appetizing to some but the flavors it brings to dishes is extremely important even if it seems subtle at first. The pungent, salty, and very strong umami flavors add a ton of depth to many Southeast Asian recipes. Mostly used in Thai curries, Vietnamese pho, and as a dipping sauce. This is one of those sauces that if you love, nothing will replace it, for others, consider cutting it with lime juice or a sweet sauce.
The brands that we like:
- Red Boat 40°N Fish Sauce – Premium, no additives, pure anchovy-based.
- Three Crabs Brand Fish Sauce – Balanced and slightly sweeter.
4. Hoisin Sauce
Hoisin sauce is one of our favorites among the Asian sauces. The sweet and tangy flavor with notes of garlic is so good on just about anything. Often used as a marinade or as a dipping sauce you can treat Hoisin sauce similar to BBQ sauce. You’ll likely find yourself addicted to this sauce immediately.
The brands that we like:
- Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce – Sweet, rich, and versatile.
- Koon Chun Hoisin Sauce – Traditional and less processed.
5. Chili Sauces
Chili sauce is a great addition to your meal routine. The spicy, tangy sometimes sweet, Asian sauce is key to many recipes. This sauce alone can turn a boring meal into something you can’t stop eating. Commonly used in stir-fries, noodle dishes, as a marinade or as a dip. Look for the popular Sriracha or try Sambal Oelek and Lao Gan Ma for a different heat level. If you make them at home you can adjust to your preference but in most cases, store bought options are pretty good.
The brands that we like:
- Huy Fong Sriracha – Popular, mild heat with a hint of sweetness.
- Sambal Oelek (Huy Fong) – Pure chili taste without added sugar.
- Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp – A crunchy, umami-packed chili oil.
6. Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is one of the other most common Asian sauces. Sesame oil can be used by itself or to add a bit of flavor to some of these other sauces. The nutty and aromatic flavors are delicious and a great foundation for many Asian recipes.
The brands that we like:
- Kadoya Pure Sesame Oil – Authentic, rich, and aromatic.
- Spectrum Organic Toasted Sesame Oil – A great organic option.
7. Teriyaki Sauce
Teriyaki sauce is one of the most popular dipping sauces and available at many non-Asian restaurants. The sweet and savory flavors make for a great dipping sauce that is extremely versatile. This Asian sauce can also be used a glaze or marinade when stir-frying or grilling.
The brands that we like:
- Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce – Classic and widely used.
8. Thai Peanut Sauce
Very different from the rest of the Asian sauces on this list, Thai Peanut sauce is creamy, nutty, sweet with a slight tang or spiciness. The flavor profile is obviously much more unique however like the rest it is great as a dipping sauce or as a salad or noodle dressing.
The brands that we like:
- Annie Chun’s Thai Peanut Sauce – Creamy and well-balanced.
- San-J Thai Peanut Sauce – Gluten-free and flavorful.
Essential Ingredients for Asian Sauces
These basic ingredients
To create authentic Asian sauces, it’s essential to stock up on key ingredients commonly used in Asian cooking:
- Soy Sauce
- Rice Vinegar
- Sesame Oil
- Chili Paste/Sriracha
- Ginger & Garlic
- Sugar & Honey
- Cornstarch
Easy Homemade Asian Sauce Recipes
Classic Soy Ginger Sauce
Perfect for marinades and stir-fries. Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions:
- Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Thai-Style Peanut Sauce
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp chili paste (optional)
- 1/4 cup warm water
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, and honey.
- Gradually add warm water, stirring until smooth.
- Adjust spice level to taste and serve.
