Hoisin and oyster sauce are two renowned Chinese sauces that are less well-known than soy sauce. Nonetheless, they are often used in Chinese and Thai cuisine to add flavor.

When comparing hoisin sauce with oyster sauce, it’s easy to get them mixed up since they seem similar and have a smooth feel. Both of these sauces add umami to a variety of meals.

Is hoisin sauce similar to oyster sauce? No, it does not. These sauces have distinct flavors and, contrary to popular belief, are not similar.

If you want to make a superb Chinese cuisine, you need understand the difference between hoisin sauce and oyster sauce. We’re here to help you learn more about these sauces. So keep reading to find out more.

Difference Between Hoisin and Oyster Sauce

The taste difference between hoisin sauce and oyster sauce is significant. Hoisin sauce is sweeter and somewhat saltier, whilst oyster sauce is saltier and milder in flavor.

If you take the time to taste each of these sauces, you will notice the distinctions between these two distinct Chinese sauces. It is almost hard to get a classic taste in your cuisine without them.

Here are some further distinctions between the two sauces:

Hoisin sauce is sweeter and somewhat saltier, whereas oyster sauce is more salted and slightly sweet.

Hoisin sauce has a deep reddish-brown tint, whereas oyster sauce is brown.

Hoisin sauce has a thick texture, while oyster sauce is runny.

Hoisin sauce has a fruity aroma, whereas oyster sauce has a strong aroma.

Constantly refrigerated hoisin sauce may be stored in the fridge for up to two years. Refrigerated oyster sauce may survive up to three years.

Hoisin sauce is used as an ingredient as well as a dipping sauce. Oyster sauce is often used in stir-fries and as a glaze for Peking duck.

Hoisin vs Oyster Sauce Comparison Table

Can you substitute Hoisin for Oyster Sauce?

This question has a yes answer. You may use hoisin sauce for oyster sauce, but keep their distinct flavors in mind.

Since both sauces have a similar consistency, you may use them interchangeably in a shellfish meal or a green stir fry.

Note that hoisin sauce has a sweeter taste than oyster sauce. Hence, if you use hoisin sauce instead of oyster sauce, your meal will be sweeter. If you don’t want a sweet taste, add alternative ingredients like fish sauce or soy sauce instead.

If you’re preparing your favorite dinner and find you’re out of oyster sauce, don’t panic; we’ve got a solution for you. If you prefer the taste of fish, you may add some fish sauce to hoisin sauce to mimic the flavor of oyster sauce.

Additionally, if you are a vegan and do not want to use fish, combine hoisin sauce and soy sauce in a 1 to 1 ratio and voilà! The oyster sauce replacement is complete.

The richness of hoisin sauce is balanced by soy sauce, and this combination complements most foods.

When substituting oyster sauce for hoisin sauce, take in mind that the saltiness of the oyster sauce must be adjusted. To lower the salt level of oyster sauce, for example, some sugar may be added.

What Is Hoisin Sauce?

Hoisin sauce is also known as Peking sauce since it is often served with Peking duck, a Cantonese cuisine. Soybean paste, chile, garlic, sesame seeds, vinegar, sugar, spices, starches, salt, and water are the main ingredients.

Commercial hoisin sauce brands may also include caramel, plum puree, citric acid, xanthan gum, and other additives. Hoisin sauce has long been used in Cantonese, Thai, and Vietnamese cooking.

Vegans and vegetarians may use this sauce since it contains no animal components. It is also available in a soy-free variant for those who are allergic to soy or wish to avoid soy for other reasons.

It’s worth noting that the name hoisin in Mandarin means “seafood,” which is somewhat counterintuitive given that hoisin sauce is completely vegan.

How to Use Hoisin Sauce?

Hoisin sauce may be used in a variety of ways. It has a sweet and tangy taste and is often used to dip spring rolls, dumplings, and duck pancakes. For burgers, combine the sauce with either beef or turkey patties.

It’s also a popular glaze for chicken, fish, other meats, and vegetables. If you want a basic glaze, use the sauce alone; however, mix the sauce with your preferred glaze for an added explosion of flavor.

Hoisin sauce is a staple in all Chinese and Thai stir-fry recipes. Add it to the pan while cooking chicken, beef, pig, or veggie stir fry for a blast of sweet and spicy tastes.

In all stir fry recipes, it is combined with soy sauce. Many individuals choose to eat their favorite Chinese or Thai food with hoisin sauce on the side.

If you want to spice up your chicken wings or French fries, try hoisin as a dipping sauce for a distinctive Asian-inspired flavor. If you want to use hoisin sauce for dipping, get it in a jar rather than a bottle. Because canned hoisin sauce has a thicker viscosity and is simpler to use as a dip.

What Is Oyster Sauce?

Did you aware that oyster sauce was accidentally created?

Lee Kum Sheung of China was said to have left a steaming pot of oyster soup in the nineteenth century. When he returned, the soup had thickened to a thick brown consistency.

Sheung like the taste of the thick reddish-brown paste and chose to offer it as a flavoring to others. It subsequently evolved into the Lee Kum Kee Asian sauce empire.

Oyster sauce is a salty-sweet sauce comprised mostly of oyster extract, sugar, salt, modified corn starch, MSG, wheat flour, caramel color, and water.

Since this location was adjacent to the oyster beds along the shores of Guangdong and Hong Kong, the usage was first restricted to traditional Cantonese cuisine and southern Chinese cookery.

Nonetheless, it is now widely utilized in Thai and Vietnamese cuisine.

How to Use Oyster Sauce?

To add a final touch, glaze meat, mushrooms, and steamed veggies like broccoli with oyster sauce. It is served directly from the bottle as a garnish.

But, keep in mind that oyster sauce has a distinct and forceful taste, so use it sparingly until you get familiar with it.

Oyster sauce is most often used in stir-fried meals such as Szechuan noodles, chow mein, Pad Thai, and beef stir fry. It gives the dish a shiny appearance because to its silky and smooth texture.

When used in a stir-fry meal, it is usually paired with additional ingredients like as brown sugar, rice vinegar, and soy sauce.

To provide a flavor boost to soups, use oyster sauce. With a liberal dripping of oyster sauce, any soup, such as chicken soup or ramen soup, tastes great. Additionally, oyster sauce may be used to end any noodle meal, giving it a rich and acidic taste.

Be sure to add the oyster sauce at the conclusion of your cooking time. Since this sauce loses taste when heated for an extended period of time.

Related: Fish Sauce vs. Oyster Sauce