Hoisin Sauce

Hoisin sauce is a thick, dark sauce commonly used in Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine, especially as a dipping sauce for meat dishes. It has a sweet and savory flavor, and is made primarily from fermented soybeans, sugar, wheat flour, garlic, vinegar, and chili peppers. It also contains salt, sesame oil, and sometimes sweet potatoes. Despite its name, hoisin sauce does not actually contain seafood, and the name "hoisin" is a transliteration of the Cantonese phrase for "seafood," which is not an ingredient in the sauce.

Hoisin sauce is made of fermented soybean paste, vinegar, sugar, garlic, sesame oil, and various spices. The exact recipe can vary depending on the brand and the specific region where it is made. Other common ingredients include salt, red chili peppers, and starches like cornstarch or sweet potato starch. Some variations may also contain fruit or vegetable purees, such as sweet potato, tomato, or applesauce, to enhance the sauce's texture and flavor.

Hoisin sauce is an excellent dip for spring rolls, wontons, grilled meat, and of course, Peking duck. It can also be used as a seasoning in dishes such as stir-fries, marinades, and sauces. In Chinese cuisine, it is often used in fried noodle and vegetable dishes.

Yes, hoisin sauce often contains monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is a flavor enhancer commonly used in Asian cuisine. However, some brands of hoisin sauce may be labeled as "MSG-free" or use alternative flavor enhancers. If you are concerned about consuming MSG, it's best to check the label or contact the manufacturer to confirm the ingredients in the specific brand of hoisin sauce you are using.

We use LKK Hoisin Sauce which contains the following ingredients:
white sugar, water, soybean paste (water, salt, soybeans, wheat), garlic, dried sweet potato, salt, color E150a, modified corn starch, sesame paste, spices, salted chili peppers, acidity regulator E260.

It depends on the brand and ingredients used. Some Hoisin Sauce brands may contain gluten due to the use of wheat-based ingredients such as soy sauce or wheat flour. However, there are also gluten-free Hoisin Sauce options available that use alternative ingredients such as gluten-free soy sauce and cornstarch. It's important to check the label and ingredient list to determine if a particular Hoisin Sauce product is gluten-free.
We use Hoisin Sauce from LKK and it is NOT gluten-free.

Yes, Hoisin Sauce can be vegan depending on the brand and recipe. Some Hoisin Sauce brands may contain non-vegan ingredients such as honey or anchovies, but there are also vegan versions available that use alternative sweeteners and omit animal products. It's always best to check the ingredient list to determine if a particular brand of Hoisin Sauce is vegan.
We use vegan Hoi Sin sauce from LKK"