← World Ingredient GuideSeasonings & sauces

Soy sauce (naturally brewed)

soy sauce / 醤油 shōyu / 간장 ganjang

Flavor and role: The basic soy sauce, made by fermenting soybeans and wheat. It brings saltiness, savoury depth and a gentle sweetness, and keeps its aroma when heated, so it suits braises, stir-fries and marinades alike.
Typical dishes and uses: Bulgogi marinade, oyakodon, karaage marinade, adobo, braises, stir-fries
Substitutes: 1 tbsp soy sauce = 1 tbsp tsuyu + a pinch of salt, or 1 tbsp tamari. To avoid gluten, use the same amount of tamari.
Storage: Unopened: 2-3 years in a cool place at room temperature. Once opened, refrigerate to keep the aroma longer, and use within 6 months.
Main countries: Korea · Japan · China
Used in this book: Oyakodon (Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl)Mapo Tofu Bulgogi (Korean Marinated Beef)Chicken Adobo Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵)Arroz Chaufa (Peruvian-Chinese Fried Rice)Bánh Mì Thịt Nướng (Grilled Pork Bánh Mì)Beef and Broccoli Beef Lok Lak (Cambodian Stir-Fried Beef)Bibimbap Bindaetteok (Mung Bean Pancakes)Bò Lúc Lắc (Vietnamese Shaking Beef)Budae-jjigae (Korean Army Base Stew)Chawanmushi (Japanese Savoury Egg Custard)Chicken Nanban Dakbokkeumtang (Korean Spicy Braised Chicken)Dakgalbi (Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken)Dakgangjeong (Korean Sweet and Crispy Chicken Bites)Egg Foo Young Galbi-jjim (Braised Beef Short Ribs)Gua Bao (Taiwanese Pork Belly Bun)Gyoza (Pan-Fried Japanese Dumplings)Gyudon (Japanese Beef Bowl)Haemul Pajeon (Korean Seafood Scallion Pancake)Japanese Curry Rice (Kare Raisu)Japchae (Korean Glass Noodles)Jerk Chicken Jeyuk Bokkeum (Spicy Korean Stir-Fried Pork)Jjajangmyeon (Korean Black Bean Noodles)Jjamppong (Korean Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup)Andong Jjimdak (Korean Soy-Braised Chicken)Katsudon (Pork Cutlet and Egg Rice Bowl)Kimchi Fried Rice (Kimchi Bokkeumbap)Kimchi Jeon (Korean Kimchi Pancake)Yangnyeom Chicken (Korean Fried Chicken)Lapskaus (Norwegian Brown Stew)Lomo Saltado (Peruvian Beef and Fries Stir-Fry)Lu Rou Fan (Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice)Lumpiang Shanghai (Filipino Pork Spring Rolls)Mentaiko Pasta Nikujaga (Japanese Beef and Potato Stew)Nikuman (Japanese Steamed Pork Buns)Onigiri (Salmon and Okaka)Oyster Omelette (Taiwanese O-a-tsian)Pancit Canton Hawaiian Ahi Poke Bowl Pollo a la Brasa (Peruvian Roast Chicken)Homemade Shoyu Ramen Shabu-Shabu Sisig Sukiyaki Swedish Meatballs (Köttbullar) with Cream Gravy Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken (Yan Su Ji)Takoyaki (Osaka Octopus Balls)Tamagoyaki (Japanese Rolled Omelette)Tempura (Shrimp and Vegetable)Teriyaki Chicken Three-Cup Chicken (San Bei Ji)Thukpa Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes)Kitsune Udon Yakitori (Chicken and Leek Skewers with Tare)Yosenabe Sichuan Doubanjiang Adjapsandali (Georgian × Chinese)Japanese Wafu Soy-Butter Mushroom Aglio Olio Nikkei Ají de Gallina Udon with Dashi and Soft-Boiled Egg Amatriciana Udon (Italian × Japanese)Gochujang-Panca Chicken Anticuchos in Lettuce Wraps (Peruvian × Korean)Japanese Curry Arancini with Tonkatsu Sauce Bulgogi Kimchi Arepas Al Pastor Chaufa with Charred Pineapple (Peruvian-Chinese × Mexican)Chaufa Spring Rolls with Sweet Chilli-Lime Dip Bacalhau Brás Tamagotoji Don (Japanese Egg-Drop Rice Bowl)Miso-Kombu Vegan Mak-Kimchi Gochujang Butter Kimchi Bai Cha with a Cheese Crust (Cambodian × Korean)Bak Chor Mee Mazesoba (Singaporean × Japanese)Peppery Bak Kut Teh Ramen with Soy-Marinated Egg Gochujang-Glazed Bangers with Kimchi Butter Mash Crackling Roast Pork Bánh Mì (Bánh Mì Heo Quay)Bulgogi Kimchi Bánh Mì Beef and Broccoli Garlic Butter Spaghetti Crispy Beef and Broccoli Rice-Paper Dumplings Gochujang Bulgogi Beef Chow Fun (Korean × Cantonese)Kampot Pepper Lok Lak with Butter Pan Sauce Lok Lak Steak Frites with Kampot Pepper-Lime Butter Lok Lak Crispy Rice Salad with Lime-Pepper Dressing Bone Broth Red-Braised Beef Noodle Soup Beef Noodle Tsukemen Red-Braised Beef Rice Bowl Gochujang Chimaek Beer-Can Chicken Dolsot Bibimbap with Crispy Rice and Beef Gochujang Bibimbap Burritos with Gochujang-Lime Mayo Crispy Bibimbap Rice Bites Market-Style Thick Bindaetteok in Pork Fat Birria Ramen with Soy-Marinated Egg Peking-Style Hoisin Chicken Blini Rolls Fillet Bò Lúc Lắc with Tomato Butter Rice (Cơm Đỏ)Shaking Beef Steak Frites with Lime-Pepper Butter (Vietnamese × French)Shaking Beef Garlic Butter Rice Bowl with Jammy Egg Miso Bolognese Udon Garlic-Soy Bossam Rice Bowl Kimchi and Pork Belly Bratkartoffeln (German × Korean)Budae Jeongol with Brisket Broth and Aged Chilli Paste Budae Fried Rice Cheese Gratin Gochujang Buffalo Wings Cast-Iron Sirloin Bulgogi with Scallion Salad Bulgogi Cheesesteak with Gochujang Mayo Bulgogi Cream Cheese Doria Gochujang Chicken Curry Bunny Chow with Kimchi Slaw (Korean x South African)Sansho Cacio e Pepe Udon Kimchi Bulgogi Breakfast Burrito Garlic Chip Soy-Butter Saikoro Steak Rice Bowl (Japanese × American)Kimchi Bulgogi Campfire Nachos Belgian Beer Hayashi Rice (Carbonnade × Japanese Yōshoku)Nikkei Causa Maki with Salmon and Acevichado Mayo Yapp Gyudon (Senegalese × Japanese)Nikkei Salmon Ceviche with Soy and Sesame Kimchi Chai Tow Kway (Singaporean × Korean)Chawanmushi Rice Bowl with Ginger Crab Glaze Crispy-Skin Chicken Adobo with Garlic Chips Chicken Adobo Tacos with Pickled Red Onion and Lime Crema Honey Garlic Adobo Wings Chicken Cacciatore Japanese Curry Rice (Italian × Japanese)Chicken Nanban Tacos with Jalapeño-Lime Tartare Chicken Nanban Sando Gochujang Kimchi Chicken Parma (Korean × Australian)Chicken Pastilla Potstickers with Cinnamon-Honey Chilli Dip Japanese Curry Chicken Pot Pie (Japanese × American)Gochujang Kimchi Chili Perilla Chimichurri Soy Steak Lettuce Wraps Miso-Butter Salmon Congee with Corn and Nori (Japanese × Cantonese)Red Wine Jjimdak (Korean Braised Chicken)Gochujang chicken and mozzarella coxinha (Korean dakgalbi style)Bulgogi Croque Monsieur Char Siu Cubano (Cantonese x Cuban)Currywurst Japanese Curry Rice Hand-Cut Dak-kalguksu in Clear Chicken Broth Perilla Oil Chicken Bibim-Kalguksu Bowl Seared Chicken Thigh Dakbokkeumtang with Homemade Chilli Oil Dakbokkeumtang Pot Pie Pear-Marinated Crispy-Skin Iron-Pan Dakgalbi Dakgalbi Cheese Quesadillas Dakgalbi Sweet Potato Cheese Gratin Crunchy Garlic-Chip Dakgangjeong with Rice-Syrup Glaze Orange Dakgangjeong (American-Chinese Orange Chicken × Korean)Dakgangjeong Rice Cake Skewers Hand-Rolled Dan Bing with Basil Omelette and Soy Glaze Japanese-Style Tantanmen (Sesame-Miso Soy Milk Ramen)Dorayaki with Homemade Tsubuan Doro Wat Ramen with Berbere Chicken and Ajitama Kimchi Pork Egg Foo Young with Gochujang Gravy (Chinese-American × Korean)Bacon Egg Foo Young Sliders with Hoisin Mayo and Quick Pickles Miso Butter Elote with Aonori and Katsuobushi Kimchi Pork and Cheese Empanadas Falafel Banh Mi with Quick Pickles and Sriracha Tahini Mayo Sichuan Peppercorn Fårikål (Norwegian × Chinese)Bulgogi Fataya with Gochujang Onion Sauce (Senegalese × Korean)Gochujang Chicken Cheese Feteer (Egyptian × Korean)Miso French Onion Udon Frikadeller with Brown Gravy and Cucumber Salad Seared Royal-Court Galbi-jjim Red Wine Galbi-jjim Bourguignon Galbi-jjim Grilled Cheese with Dipping Jus Sizzling Galbi Crispy Rice with Pour-Over Broth Rich Perilla Gamjatang with Seasoned Napa Greens Mala Gamjatang (Sichuan-Spiced Pork Rib and Potato Stew)Gamjatang Potato Gratin with Perilla Cream Salmon Poke Summer Rolls Gochujang Goulash with Korean Rice Cakes Groundnut Soup Tantanmen-Style Ramen (Ghanaian × Japanese)Gochujang Fried Chicken Gua Bao with Pickled Radish Kimchi Gochujang Chicken Gumbo (Cajun × Korean)Juicy Crisp-Lattice Gyoza (Hanetsuki)Kimchi Cheese Gyoza Unwrapped Gyoza Rice Bowl Sukiyaki-Style Gyudon with Onsen Egg Kimchi Cheese Gyudon Gyudon Rice Burger Bulgogi Hayashi Rice (Korean × Japanese)Japanese Dashi-Braised Holubtsi Sanratanmen (Japanese Hot and Sour Ramen)Idli Manchurian İskender Udon Jamaican Curry Beef Gyoza with Scotch Bonnet–Lime Dipping Sauce (Jamaican × Japanese)Kimchi Jambalaya with a Jammy Fried Egg Slow-Simmered European-Style Beef Curry Royal Court Beef Japchae with Braised Noodles Mala Japchae (Sichuan-Spiced Glass Noodles)Crispy Japchae Rice Paper Dumplings Pimento-Smoked Charcoal Jerk Chicken Jerk Chicken Rasta Pasta Jerk Chicken Puff Patties with Mango-Lime Dip Jerusalem Mixed Grill Yakitori (Israeli × Japanese)Pear-Marinated Smoky Jeyuk Bokkeum Jeyuk Tacos with Lime Slaw Jeyuk Onigirazu (Korean Rice Sandwich)Crispy-Skirt Kimchi Pork Potstickers Ganjjajang with Pork Shoulder and Crispy Fried Egg Smoky Seafood Jjamppong with Homemade Chili Oil Rosé Jjamppong with Bacon Fiery Jjamppong Seafood Fried Rice Seared Thigh Andong Jjimdak with Homemade Caramel Mala Cheese Jjimdak (Sichuan × Korean)Jjimdak Cheese Skillet Fried Rice Restaurant-Style Juicy Karaage with Spring Onion Ponzu Yangnyeom Karaage (Korean Sweet-Spicy Glazed Fried Chicken)Lemon-Mayo Karaage Onigirazu Kare-Kare Beef Udon with Shrimp-Paste Chili Oil (Filipino × Japanese)Miso-Glazed Karnıyarık with Ginger Pork (Turkish × Japanese)Buckwheat Kasha Bibimbap with Gochujang Mushrooms (Russian × Korean)Double-Fried Hire Katsu Sando with House Sauce Yangnyeom Katsu Sando with Pickled Radish Slaw (Korean × Japanese)Thick-Cut Katsudon with Fresh Dashi Chicken Katsu Parmigiana Don Katsudon Sando Yangnyeom Kelewele: Gochujang-Honey Glazed Plantain (Ghanaian x Korean)Khao Soi Curry Udon Kimchi Pork Khinkali with Soy-Vinegar Dip Yangnyeom Kibbeling (Dutch × Korean)Beef & Braised Burdock Kimbap with Rolled Omelette Teriyaki Salmon Avocado Kimbap Crispy Pork Belly and Aged Kimchi Butter Fried Rice Crispy Aged-Kimchi Jeon with Pork Belly Kimchi Jjigae Cheesy Crispy Fried Rice Mitmita Butter Kitfo Bibimbap (Ethiopian x Korean)Gochujang köfte lettuce wraps (ssam)Butter Soybean Sprout Pot Rice with Soft Egg and Spicy Scallion Soy Kopytka Tteokbokki (Polish × Korean)Brined Soy-Garlic Fried Chicken Crispy Chicken Mayo Rice Bowl Lemon-Miso Butter Chicken and Potato Traybake (Greek × Japanese)Kimchi Cheese Kottu with Pork Belly (Sri Lankan × Korean)Herb Kuku Jeon with Soy-Vinegar Dip (Persian x Korean)Kimchi Bulgogi Kumpir (Turkish × Korean)Kung Pao Chicken Tacos with Lime Slaw Kung Pao Popcorn Chicken Cups Kuy Teav Kalguksu (Cambodian Broth with Korean Knife-Cut Noodles)Kimchi gochujang bulgogi lahmacun Gochujang Lapskaus (Norwegian × Korean)Lapskaus Croquettes with Lingonberry Mayo Gochujang Rosé Lasagna Soup Kimchi Bulgogi Lasagna Miso Kabocha Locro (Argentine × Japanese)Pisco-Flambéed Tenderloin Lomo Saltado with Double-Fried Potatoes Lomo Saltado Burrito with Ají Amarillo Crema Lomo Saltado Loaded Fries with Huancaína Sauce Hand-Cut Lu Rou Fan with Shiitake and Caramel Braise Lu Rou Tacos with Quick Cucumber Pickles Lu Rou Cheese Rice Gratin Crispy Lumpia Rice Bowl Japanese-Style Mafé Curry Rice Crispy-Skirt Cumin Manti Gyoza (Uzbek × Japanese)Japanese Miso Mapo Udon Mapo Cheese Rice Gratin Gochujang Rosé Marry Me Chicken Rice Bowl Schezwan Cheese Dosa Mee Goreng Yaki Udon with Bonito and Mayo Bulgogi Cheese Pie Kimchi Butter Mofongo with Spicy Gochujang Pork Mohinga Ramen with Soy-Marinated Egg Moi Moi Bindaetteok with Kimchi (Nigerian × Korean)Mole Chicken Bánh Mì with Pickled Carrot and Daikon (Mexican × Vietnamese)Molokhia Garlic-Butter Soba Scallion-Sesame Msemen with Ginger-Soy Dip (Moroccan x Chinese)Japanese Miso Butter Shiitake Risotto Bibim-naengmyeon Gimbap Nan Gyi Thoke Curry Abura Soba (Burmese × Japanese)Ryotei-Style Nikujaga with First Dashi Gochujang Pork Nikujaga with Glass Noodles Lazy Nikujaga Croquette Bowl with Crunchy Panko Extra-Juicy Hand-Chopped Pork Nikuman Crispy Nikuman Pork Toast with Karashi Mayo Miso-Glazed Oden Skewers Pad Kra Pao Omurice (Thai × Japanese)Shop-Style Onigiri with Salmon Flakes and Kombu Tsukudani Hawaiian Luncheon Meat Musubi Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna Onigiri Bites Pad Kra Pao Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe (Italian × Thai)Seared Chicken Thigh Oyakodon with Homemade Dashi Cheesy Dakgalbi Oyakodon Oyakodon Egg Sando Lard-Crisped Oyster Omelette with Garlic-Chilli Vinegar Oyster Omelette Fried Rice with Crispy Lace Gochujang Bulgogi Pad Thai Crispy Pork Pancit Canton-Bihon Pancit Canton Carbonara Crispy Pancit Nests with Garlic Shrimp Parippu Coconut Lentil Ramen (Sri Lankan × Japanese)Bulgogi Pastelón (Puerto Rican × Korean)Chicken Wonton Pepper Soup with Scent Leaf Oil (Nigerian x Cantonese)Pernil Garlic Fried Rice with a Fried Egg and Mojo Drizzle Korean Perilla-Basil Pesto Spaghetti with Garlic Shrimp Japanese-Style Panko Piroshki with Glass Noodles and Egg (Russian × Japanese)Pisto Doria (Japanese Rice Gratin)Ahi Poke Duo with Sushi Rice and Macadamia Inamona Gochujang Salmon Poke Bowl Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice Bites Charcoal-Smoked Spatchcock Pollo a la Brasa with Twice-Cooked Fries Pollo a la Brasa Shawarma Wraps (Peruvian × Levantine)Pollo a la Brasa Quinoa Bowl with Ají Verde Dressing Gochugaru Honey-Soy Pollo al Ajillo Lemon-Ginger Ponzu Pork Medallions (American × Japanese)Gochujang Pork Potjie Bulgogi Poutine with Gochujang Gravy and Kimchi Gochujang Chicken Pozole (Korean-Mexican)Gochujang Pulled Pork Tacos with Kimchi Slaw Kimchi Raggmunk with Gochujang-Glazed Pork Belly (Swedish × Korean)Tokyo-Style Clear Chicken Shoyu Ramen Tom Yum Shoyu Ramen with Prawns Crispy Shoyu Ramen Noodle Pancake Jerk Chicken Rice-and-Peas Paella Kimchi Rouladen in Gochujang Braise (German × Korean)Gochujang-Honey Roast Lamb with Kimchi Roast Potatoes (Australian × Korean)Chino-Cubano Ropa Vieja Lo Mein Kimchi Bulgogi Cheese Murtabak (Korean × Malaysian)Bulgogi Roti Jala Wraps with Gochujang Mayo (Malaysian × Korean)Eggplant Katsu Sabich Sando Niçoise Soba Salad with Wasabi-Soy Dressing (French × Japanese)Jeju-Style Thick-Cut Pork Belly with Anchovy Dip Gochujang Pork Belly Tacos with Kimchi Salsa Honey-Soy Pork Belly Leek Roll Skewers Samgye Sotbap (Ginseng Chicken Pot Rice)Japanese Curry Beef Samsa (Uzbek x Japanese)Sauerbraten Galbi-Jjim (German × Korean)Teriyaki Sausage Sizzle with Japanese Mayo and Nori Schnitzel Katsu Curry Gochujang Sesame-Peanut Bibim Guksu (Korean × Chinese)Rainbow Sesame-Peanut Noodle Jar Salad with Crispy Tofu Dashi Shabu-Shabu with Homemade Ponzu and Egg Zosui Galbi-jjim Short Rib Ragù with Rice Cakes (Korean × Italian)Sizzling Sisig Kimchi Bibimbap with Gochujang-Calamansi Sauce (Filipino × Korean)Cheesy Sisig Loaded Fries with Calamansi Garlic Mayo Bulgogi Smash Burger with Butter Kimchi and Gochujang Mayo Teriyaki Salmon Smørrebrød with Wasabi Mayo Solyanka Budae-jjigae with Kimchi and Ramyeon (Russian × Korean)Soto Ayam Ramen Gochujang Pork Souvlaki Wrap with Sesame Tzatziki Kimchi Assassina Spaghetti (Korean x Apulian)Sri Lankan Coconut Chicken Curry Udon Gochujang Chicken Stroganoff Gochujang-Butter Sujebi Bites Kansai-Style Sukiyaki with Marbled Beef Sukiyaki Carbonara Sukiyaki Egg & Cheese Toast Sundubu Cheese Rice Gratin Suya Beef Yaki Udon Restaurant-Style Köttbullar Plate Gochujang Rosé Cream Meatball Rice Bowl Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake Sweet and Sour Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa Sweet and Sour Pork Katsu Sando Bulgogi Tacos with Kimchi Slaw Night-Market Master Popcorn Chicken with Toasted Pepper Salt Gochujang-Honey Popcorn Chicken (Korean Yangnyeom Style)Popcorn Chicken Sando with Basil Mayo Osaka-Style Takoyaki with Fresh Dashi and Homemade Sauce Baked Takoyaki Cheese Muffins Bulgogi Beef and Cheese Tamales (Korean x Mexican)Edomae-Style Tempura with Matcha Salt Crispy-Skin Teriyaki Chicken with Charred Negi Teriyaki Chicken Burger Teriyaki Chicken & Egg Mayo Rice Bowl Rof Salmon Tomato Takikomi Gohan (Senegalese x Japanese)Thit Kho Ramen (Caramel Pork Belly and Jammy Eggs)Sizzling Clay-Pot Three-Cup Chicken with Caramelised Ginger Three-Cup Chicken Penne with Thai Basil-Peanut Pesto (Taiwanese × Italian)Three-Cup Glazed Chicken Skewers with Crispy Basil Beef Thukpa with Hand-Pulled Noodles and Timur Chilli Oil Cold Thukpa Noodle Salad with Timur-Sesame Dressing Beef Brisket Tteokbokki with Chili Oil and Jammy Eggs Crispy Honey-Gochujang Rice Cake Bites with Cheddar Dip Clear Brisket Broth Tteokguk with Traditional Garnishes Gochujang Butter Yogurt Pasta Handmade Sanuki-Style Kitsune Udon Crispy Tofu-Pouch Udon Salad Bowl Bulgogi Vetkoek Sliders with Kimchi Mayo (South African × Korean)Coconut Waakye with Jerk Chicken (Ghanaian x Jamaican)Whitebait Kakiage Tempura with Tentsuyu (New Zealand × Japanese)Crispy-Noodle Yakisoba with Homemade Sauce Charcoal Yakitori Duo: Salt Negima and Tsukune Yakitori Tacos with Lime Slaw and Shichimi Mayo Yakitori Rice Burger Chicken Yassa Bánh Mì Bulgogi Yorkshire Pudding Bowls Ichiban Dashi Yosenabe with Ginger Chicken Tsukune Tomato Yosenabe with Basil-Parmesan Risotto (Japanese × Italian)Yosenabe Seafood An-kake Rice Bowl with Jammy Egg Gochujang-Honey Yuca Fries with Kimchi Curtido Yukgaejang Bibim-myeon (Spicy Beef Mixed Noodles)Żurek Ramen with Soy Eggs and Seared Kiełbasa

Updated 2026-10-10