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There is no single best soy sauce, because light, dark and Japanese soy do different jobs. Buy two bottles and most Asian recipes open up.
Which soy sauce should you buy?
For Chinese cooking, buy a light soy sauce for seasoning and a dark soy sauce for colour. For Japanese cooking, one bottle of naturally brewed Japanese soy, called shoyu, covers almost everything. If you only ever buy one bottle, make it a Japanese shoyu, because it is the most versatile.
Light, dark and Japanese soy explained
- Light soy sauce. Thin, salty, the everyday seasoning in Chinese cooking. This is what a recipe means when it just says soy sauce.
- Dark soy sauce. Thicker, less salty, often with added molasses. Used a teaspoon at a time for colour in braises and fried rice.
- Japanese shoyu. Brewed with wheat as well as soy, so it is rounder and slightly sweeter. Good for dipping and dressings.
- Tamari. Japanese, usually wheat free. The choice if you need gluten free.
What to look for on the label
The word to hunt for is brewed or naturally brewed. Cheap soy sauce is made by breaking down soy protein with acid in a matter of days, which gives a harsh, flat flavour. Brewed soy is fermented over months and tastes rounder.
- Naturally brewed, not chemically hydrolysed
- A short ingredients list: soybeans, wheat, salt, water
- No caramel colouring in a light soy sauce
- Glass bottles keep better than plastic
Brands you will actually find in the UK
Kikkoman is the naturally brewed Japanese shoyu stocked in nearly every supermarket. Lee Kum Kee and Pearl River Bridge are the Chinese brands to look for, and both do a light and a dark version. Chinese supermarkets carry all three at better prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is light soy sauce lower in salt?
No. Light refers to the colour and body, not the salt. Light soy is usually the saltier of the two.
Can I use dark soy sauce instead of light?
Not one for one. Dark soy is less salty and much stronger in colour. Your dish will look muddy and taste under seasoned.
Does soy sauce need refrigerating?
It will not spoil at room temperature, but the flavour keeps better in the fridge once opened.
Is soy sauce gluten free?
Usually not. Most soy sauce contains wheat. Tamari is the gluten free option, but check the label as not all tamari is wheat free.
Where to buy
Options on Amazon UK that match what is described above. These are affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission if you buy through them. Stock and prices change, so check the listing before ordering.
- Kikkoman naturally brewed soy sauce. Japanese style, all purpose. The safe first bottle.
- Lee Kum Kee dark soy sauce. Thicker and less salty, used for colour rather than seasoning.
