From simple Chinese beef and broccoli to Thai pad see ew (stir-fried rice noodles); with a bottle of oyster sauce in your kitchen cupboard, you are never far from a flavorful meal. What exactly is it, and how do you use it best? We will give you a hand.

Oyster sauce is a syrupy, dark brown sauce made from—you guessed it—oysters. The oysters are boiled in water for a long time, creating a highly concentrated flavor that is then diluted with salt, sugar, and soy sauce. The flavor is very rich; the sauce is packed with umami but also has a hint of sweetness. Because the flavor is so concentrated, even a small amount has a big impact.

Cantonese

Oyster sauce originates from the Chinese province of Canton (Guangdong). It is no surprise, then, that the sauce appears in many Cantonese classics such as char siu bao, stir-fried beef with broccoli and oyster sauce, and lo mai gai (glutinous rice and meat, steamed in lotus leaves). But it is also wonderful for giving your stir-fried mushrooms, bok choy, or kai lan (Chinese broccoli) tons of flavor in no time, with or without a clove of garlic.

Noodles Oyster sauce is also a great way to quickly add flavor to your noodles. Thanks to its syrupy texture, it instantly gives your noodles a high comfort-food factor. In our view, rice noodles are the most perfect match when it comes to oyster sauce. Make or order a portion of Thai pad see ew or Chinese beef chow fun and you will understand what we mean.

Different types

We sell several types of oyster sauce, so which one should you get? The brand Maekrua is Thai, so if you cook a lot of Thai food, we recommend using this one. The Chinese brand Lee Kum Kee is one of the biggest names in oyster sauce, so if you cook a lot of Chinese food, this is the one to have. Lee Kum Kee also offers a premium version, in which the flavor is even more concentrated. In principle, they are fairly similar in taste, so try both and see which one you like best.

Vegetarian alternative Are you vegetarian, but still want to experience the full flavor of oyster sauce? There is also a vegetarian oyster sauce, made from gluten and soy. Another good alternative is the vegetarian mushroom sauce by Healthy Boy, since mushrooms are also packed with umami.