Pagoda and Lee Kum Kee are the two most widely available Shaoxing wine brands in UK Chinese supermarkets and larger Asian grocers. Shaoxing wine is a fermented rice wine used in marinades, stir-fries, and braises to add depth and cut through rich flavours. Check the label if you want to avoid alcohol, since a small number of alcohol-free “Shaoxing-style” cooking wines are now sold as an alternative.
Shaoxing wine is a staple in Chinese cooking but easy to overlook if you don’t know what to look for on a shelf full of similar-looking bottles. This guide covers what it is, what to check before buying, and how it differs from other cooking wines.
What Shaoxing wine is
Shaoxing wine is a Chinese rice wine, named after the city of Shaoxing where it’s traditionally made. It’s used in small amounts to marinate meat and seafood, deglaze a wok, and add savoury depth to braises and sauces. It’s a cooking ingredient rather than a drinking wine, closer in role to how dry sherry is used in some Western cooking.
What to check before you buy
- Cooking wine vs drinking wine. Some bottles are labelled specifically for cooking and may include added salt, which makes them unsuitable to drink but fine for recipes. Others are a genuine drinking-grade Shaoxing wine, which works in cooking too.
- Alcohol content. Standard Shaoxing wine contains alcohol. If you need to avoid it, look for an alcohol-free “Shaoxing-style” cooking wine, a newer option some UK brands now stock.
- Bottle size. Since recipes usually call for a tablespoon or two at a time, a smaller bottle makes more sense unless you cook Chinese food regularly.
- Where it’s sold. Chinese and Asian supermarkets carry the widest range. Some larger UK supermarkets stock a single well-known brand in the world food aisle.
Comparing common brands
| Brand | Style | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Pagoda | Traditional Shaoxing wine | Everyday marinades and stir-fries |
| Lee Kum Kee | Widely stocked, consistent | Beginners, easy to find |
| Alcohol-free Shaoxing-style wine | No alcohol content | Those avoiding alcohol |
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FAQ
Can I substitute Shaoxing wine with something else?
Dry sherry is the closest widely available substitute, since both have a similar depth and slight nuttiness. Rice vinegar diluted with water is a rough non-alcoholic option, though the flavour is quite different.
Does Shaoxing wine need to be refrigerated?
No, an unopened bottle keeps well in a cupboard. Once opened, it keeps for months at room temperature, though flavour is best within a few months.
Is Shaoxing wine the same as mirin?
No. Mirin is a sweeter Japanese rice wine used differently, often for glazes and sauces, while Shaoxing wine is savoury and used mainly in Chinese cooking.
