Hoisin is a thick, sweet and savoury Chinese sauce, made from soybeans, sugar, vinegar and spices. It is the dipping sauce for crispy duck pancakes, and it is useful well beyond that one dish.
Where to find it
Hoisin sits in the world food aisle, in the Chinese section, next to soy sauce and oyster sauce. Some stores also keep a squeezy bottle with the condiments, so check there if the first spot is empty.
Chinese supermarkets carry larger jars and a wider range of brands. If you cook Chinese food often, a bigger jar is the better value. Hoisin keeps for months in the fridge once opened.
Hoisin, oyster and char siu
Hoisin is sweeter and thicker than oyster sauce, which is savoury and salty. Char siu sauce is sweet and tinted red, and it is made for marinating roast pork. They look similar in a shop, so read the label before you buy.
How to use it
Thin it with a little water or rice vinegar to make a dipping sauce for pancakes or spring rolls. Brush it onto roast chicken or pork in the last few minutes of cooking for a sticky glaze. Stir a spoonful into a stir fry at the end to add sweetness and colour.
Storage
Keep the jar in the fridge once opened, and use a clean spoon each time to stop mould starting on the surface.
For another savoury Chinese sauce, see our oyster sauce guide. For a black vinegar dip to serve alongside, read our Chinkiang black vinegar guide.