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Hoisin sauce is easy to find once you know it sits with the other Chinese sauces, not with the ketchup and brown sauce it can taste a little like.
Which aisle is hoisin sauce in?
Hoisin sauce is in the world food aisle of UK supermarkets, in the Chinese section next to soy sauce and oyster sauce. A few supermarket ranges also stock a squeezy bottle in the regular condiments aisle alongside brown sauce and ketchup.
Where to look, supermarket by supermarket
The pattern holds across Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons and Waitrose.
- World food aisle, Chinese section. Bottled next to soy sauce and oyster sauce. This is where most brands sit.
- Condiments aisle. Some ranges also carry a squeezy bottle here, next to brown sauce and ketchup.
- Marinades and cooking sauces. Occasionally shelved with the stir fry and glaze sauces instead.
Aisle numbers move between branches of the same chain, so use the section as your guide rather than a number.
Where hoisin sauce is in Morrisons
Morrisons stocks Lee Kum Kee hoisin sauce in the world food aisle with the Chinese cooking sauces, and its own brand version alongside it. A squeezy bottle sometimes turns up in the condiments aisle in larger stores, so check both if the first spot is empty.
How to find the exact aisle in your store
Use the supermarket’s app to search the product and see its aisle for your chosen branch before you travel, since the world food and condiments split varies by store.
Hoisin sauce vs oyster sauce vs char siu sauce
| Sauce | Taste | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Hoisin sauce | Sweet, thick, a little tangy | Glazes, dipping sauce, stir fries |
| Oyster sauce | Savoury, salty, umami | Stir fries, everyday seasoning |
| Char siu sauce | Sweet, sticky, red tinted | Marinating and glazing roast pork |
Hoisin is sweeter and thicker than oyster sauce, and while it shares some flavour with char siu sauce, the two are not the same product.
What to ask a member of staff
Say hoisin sauce and specify Chinese, since the name alone does not always register. If they mention the sauces aisle, check whether they mean the world food section or the ketchup and brown sauce shelf.
Asian supermarkets
A Chinese grocer stocks a wider range of hoisin sauce brands, often in larger bottles, at a lower price per use than a supermarket own brand.
Buying hoisin sauce online
Hoisin sauce keeps well and posts easily, so buying online is a fine option if your local stores do not carry it, and a larger bottle usually works out cheaper per use.
Storing it
Keep the bottle in the fridge once opened. Hoisin sauce is high in sugar and salt, so it keeps well, but the flavour is best within a few months of opening.
Frequently asked questions
Is hoisin sauce vegetarian?
Most brands are, since hoisin is traditionally made from soybeans, sugar and spices with no meat product. Always check the label, since recipes vary by brand.
Is hoisin sauce gluten free?
Not usually, since most brands use wheat as a thickener or through soy sauce in the ingredients. Check the label if this matters, since a few gluten free versions do exist.
Does hoisin sauce need refrigerating?
Once opened, yes. It is shelf stable unopened but should go in the fridge after that, the same as most opened bottled sauces.
What can I use instead of hoisin sauce?
A mix of soy sauce, a little sugar or honey, and a touch of five spice gets close for a quick swap, though it will not have quite the same thickness.
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- Hoisin sauce. A bottle for glazes, dips and stir fries.
