This is the second installment in a little series about ingredients used in Asian cuisine. Last week, we discussed the very popular Hoisin Sauce. In this Cooking Tip, I want to look at Oyster Sauce.
Origin
As the name suggests, it all starts with oysters. The story told by the company Lee Kum Kee is that this sauce dates back to 1888. According to them, “A restauranteur named Mr. Lee Kum Sheung from Southern China was boiling a pot of oyster soup and forgot about it until the soup was simmered down to a thick gravy. He tasted it and discovered an irresistible, delicious new flavor. Since then, he started selling this as Oyster Sauce.” Mr Lee then became the founder of Lee Kum Kee, a brand that is very well known for its Asian ingredients.
Ingredients
Today, producers use oyster extract to make oyster sauce. Oyster extract (or oyster extractives) is the liquid leftover after shucked oysters are boiled. Other ingredients, such as salt, sugar, and soy sauce, are often added. Most recipes also add a starch as a thickener.
It is also known as oyster-flavored sauce. According to America’s Test Kitchen, do not confuse oyster-flavored sauce with cooked oyster sauce. The latter uses oyster-flavored sauce but adds other ingredients such as broth, soy sauce, sake, and sugar.
Flavor
Its flavor is described as savory with a touch of caramel sweetness. It is an ingredient that will add plenty of umami. Most find that it does not taste of oysters but the more premium brands can have a fishy note. Besides flavor, it also adds a dark caramel color.
Best Brands
Many sources (America’s Test Kitchen, Sporked, Bon Appetit) recommend the Lee Kum Kee brand. This company produces two different products.
Lee Kum Kee Panda Brand Oyster Sauce – This is the one you will most commonly find in regular supermarkets. It has a red label with a panda on it. It is milder in flavor than the premium offering. From its ingredient label, you will see it has 11% oyster extract.
Lee Kim Kee Premium Oyster Sauce – This is a more premium offering with a stronger flavor. Its label lists 40% oyster extract and shows two people in a boat. To purchase this oyster sauce, you will probably need to visit a specialty food store or look online.
Food & Wine, Milk Street, and several chefs prefer a different offering.
Megachef Premium Oyster Sauce—This oyster sauce is from Thailand and is considered to have a deeper and more complex flavor. You may find it in a specialty food store, or you can get it online.
Uses
Reach for oyster sauce when you want to add umami to your dishes. However, start with a lesser amount and titrate to your tastes.
Common uses:
Stir-fries
Kung Pao Shrimp
Marinades
Soups
Asian noodle and rice dishes
Can add a splash to a dish of cooked meat or vegetables.
Storage
As with many condiments, unopened oyster sauce can be stored in the pantry for one year, but once opened, it should be refrigerated, where it will last six to twelve months.
If you are serious about cooking Asian cuisine, oyster sauce is just one of the ingredients you will want to search out and learn to use.
Culinary Journeys, LLC 