Reviewing the Salty and Umami: Oyster Sauces

Oyster sauce is a sweet and salty condiment made primarily from oyster juices, salt, and sugar. It also contains the savory flavor of umami, so it’s commonly used in Asian cuisines—including Chinese and Thai dishes—for stir-fries or meat marinades for dipping sauces.

However, you can also use the sauce for marinating the meat, which makes it a great addition to a stir-fry. I like using  oyster sauce in my Thai recipes because it adds an extra layer of flavor that can’t be replicated by traditional ingredients such as fish sauce or soy sauce.

Oyster sauce has a pleasant, slightly sweet, and salty flavor. It’s also very easy to make at home. However, who has the time for that? 

Well, I don’t. If you don’t want to make your own, many oyster sauce brands are  available in most grocery stores. And to find the best one, I have tried the following brands, and here is my take on the available brands.

I have also rated the  brands based on price value for money, packaging, authenticity, and availability. 

My Take on Oyster Sauces

Dipitt Oyster Sauce 

Dipitt oyster sauce has a runny consistency with  strong sweet and earthy flavors that are truly authentic.  They come  in easy-to-pour plastic bottles and are  widely available throughout the market.

Key Oyster Sauce 

Key oyster sauce also costs about the same as dipitt oyster sauce. It has a thicker viscosity compared to other brands and has a sweet and salty umami taste. The only side its non-availability in some local grocery stores. 

Razmin Oyster Sauce 

Razmin oyster sauce is hard to find since it is an imported product. It is made in Thailand and does have an upper hand in taste compared to other brands I discussed however, due to its non-availability and price being almost twice the local brands, it is not the best option out there.

Things I Look for Before Buying My Refill of Oyster Sauce

Packaging 

Although I prefer eco-friendly packaging like glass jars, most of the items on my list are packaged in non-biodegradable materials. Only a few brands—aware that their products may be consumed by future generations as well—have begun to use sustainable methods.

Consistency 

I prefer my sauces to be thick and creamy. Thin, watery sauces are usually not my first choice because they have an unattractive appearance and don’t taste very good either.

FAQ

What is an oyster sauce made of?

Oyster sauce is a sweet and salty condiment made from oysters, salt, and sugar.

What can be a good substitute  for oyster sauce?

The best-suited substitutes for oyster sauce are soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, or hoisin sauce.

What’s oyster sauce good for?

Oyster sauce is a commonly used ingredient used mainly in Stir-Fry sauces, glazes and marinades.