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 TofuBulgogi (Korean Marinated Beef)Chicken AdoboKaraage (Japanese Fried Chicken)Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵)Bánh Mì Thịt Nướng (Grilled Pork Bánh Mì)Beef and BroccoliBibimbapBindaetteok (Mung Bean Pancakes)Budae-jjigae (Korean Army Base Stew)Chicken NanbanDakbokkeumtang (Korean Spicy Braised Chicken)Dakgalbi (Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken)Galbi-jjim (Braised Beef Short Ribs)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 ChickenJeyuk Bokkeum (Spicy Korean Stir-Fried Pork)Jjajangmyeon (Korean Black Bean Noodles)Jjamppong (Korean Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup)Katsudon (Pork Cutlet and Egg Rice Bowl)Kimchi Fried Rice (Kimchi Bokkeumbap)Kimchi Jeon (Korean Kimchi Pancake)Yangnyeom Chicken (Korean Fried Chicken)Lomo Saltado (Peruvian Beef and Fries Stir-Fry)Lu Rou Fan (Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice)Lumpiang Shanghai (Filipino Pork Spring Rolls)Nikujaga (Japanese Beef and Potato Stew)Onigiri (Salmon and Okaka)Pancit CantonHawaiian Ahi Poke BowlHomemade Shoyu RamenShabu-ShabuSukiyakiSwedish Meatballs (Köttbullar) with Cream GravyTaiwanese Popcorn Chicken (Yan Su Ji)Tamagoyaki (Japanese Rolled Omelette)Tempura (Shrimp and Vegetable)Teriyaki ChickenTteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes)Kitsune UdonYakitori (Chicken and Leek Skewers with Tare)Japanese Wafu Soy-Butter Mushroom Aglio OlioNikkei Ají de Gallina Udon with Dashi and Soft-Boiled EggBulgogi Kimchi ArepasBacalhau Brás Tamagotoji Don (Japanese Egg-Drop Rice Bowl)Miso-Kombu Vegan Mak-KimchiGochujang-Glazed Bangers with Kimchi Butter MashCrackling Roast Pork Bánh Mì (Bánh Mì Heo Quay)Bulgogi Kimchi Bánh MìBeef and Broccoli Garlic Butter SpaghettiCrispy Beef and Broccoli Rice-Paper DumplingsBone Broth Red-Braised Beef Noodle SoupBeef Noodle TsukemenRed-Braised Beef Rice BowlGochujang Chimaek Beer-Can ChickenDolsot Bibimbap with Crispy Rice and Beef GochujangBibimbap Burritos with Gochujang-Lime MayoCrispy Bibimbap Rice BitesMarket-Style Thick Bindaetteok in Pork FatBirria Ramen with Soy-Marinated EggMiso Bolognese UdonGarlic-Soy Bossam Rice BowlBudae Jeongol with Brisket Broth and Aged Chilli PasteBudae Fried Rice Cheese GratinGochujang Buffalo WingsCast-Iron Sirloin Bulgogi with Scallion SaladBulgogi Cheesesteak with Gochujang MayoBulgogi Cream Cheese DoriaGochujang Chicken Curry Bunny Chow with Kimchi Slaw (Korean x South African)Sansho Cacio e Pepe UdonKimchi Bulgogi Breakfast BurritoKimchi Bulgogi Campfire NachosNikkei Salmon Ceviche with Soy and SesameCrispy-Skin Chicken Adobo with Garlic ChipsChicken Adobo Tacos with Pickled Red Onion and Lime CremaHoney Garlic Adobo WingsChicken Nanban Tacos with Jalapeño-Lime TartareChicken Nanban SandoGochujang Kimchi ChiliPerilla Chimichurri Soy Steak Lettuce WrapsRed Wine Jjimdak (Korean Braised Chicken)Gochujang chicken and mozzarella coxinha (Korean dakgalbi style)Bulgogi Croque MonsieurCurrywurst Japanese Curry RiceHand-Cut Dak-kalguksu in Clear Chicken BrothPerilla Oil Chicken Bibim-Kalguksu BowlSeared Chicken Thigh Dakbokkeumtang with Homemade Chilli OilDakbokkeumtang Pot PiePear-Marinated Crispy-Skin Iron-Pan DakgalbiDakgalbi Cheese QuesadillasDakgalbi Sweet Potato Cheese GratinJapanese-Style Tantanmen (Sesame-Miso Soy Milk Ramen)Doro Wat Ramen with Berbere Chicken and AjitamaMiso Butter Elote with Aonori and KatsuobushiKimchi Pork and Cheese EmpanadasFalafel Banh Mi with Quick Pickles and Sriracha Tahini MayoMiso French Onion UdonSeared Royal-Court Galbi-jjimRed Wine Galbi-jjim BourguignonGalbi-jjim Grilled Cheese with Dipping JusRich Perilla Gamjatang with Seasoned Napa GreensMala Gamjatang (Sichuan-Spiced Pork Rib and Potato Stew)Gamjatang Potato Gratin with Perilla CreamSalmon Poke Summer RollsGochujang Goulash with Korean Rice CakesJuicy Crisp-Lattice Gyoza (Hanetsuki)Kimchi Cheese GyozaUnwrapped Gyoza Rice BowlSukiyaki-Style Gyudon with Onsen EggKimchi Cheese GyudonGyudon Rice BurgerSanratanmen (Japanese Hot and Sour Ramen)Idli ManchurianKimchi Jambalaya with a Jammy Fried EggSlow-Simmered European-Style Beef CurryRoyal Court Beef Japchae with Braised NoodlesMala Japchae (Sichuan-Spiced Glass Noodles)Crispy Japchae Rice Paper DumplingsPimento-Smoked Charcoal Jerk ChickenJerk Chicken Rasta PastaJerk Chicken Puff Patties with Mango-Lime DipPear-Marinated Smoky Jeyuk BokkeumJeyuk Tacos with Lime SlawJeyuk Onigirazu (Korean Rice Sandwich)Crispy-Skirt Kimchi Pork PotstickersGanjjajang with Pork Shoulder and Crispy Fried EggSmoky Seafood Jjamppong with Homemade Chili OilRosé Jjamppong with BaconFiery Jjamppong Seafood Fried RiceRestaurant-Style Juicy Karaage with Spring Onion PonzuYangnyeom Karaage (Korean Sweet-Spicy Glazed Fried Chicken)Lemon-Mayo Karaage OnigirazuThick-Cut Katsudon with Fresh DashiChicken Katsu Parmigiana DonKatsudon SandoYangnyeom Kelewele: Gochujang-Honey Glazed Plantain (Ghanaian x Korean)Khao Soi Curry UdonBeef & Braised Burdock Kimbap with Rolled OmeletteTeriyaki Salmon Avocado KimbapCrispy Pork Belly and Aged Kimchi Butter Fried RiceCrispy Aged-Kimchi Jeon with Pork BellyKimchi Jjigae Cheesy Crispy Fried RiceGochujang köfte lettuce wraps (ssam)Brined Soy-Garlic Fried ChickenCrispy Chicken Mayo Rice BowlKung Pao Chicken Tacos with Lime SlawKung Pao Popcorn Chicken CupsKimchi gochujang bulgogi lahmacunGochujang Rosé Lasagna SoupKimchi Bulgogi LasagnaPisco-Flambéed Tenderloin Lomo Saltado with Double-Fried PotatoesLomo Saltado Burrito with Ají Amarillo CremaLomo Saltado Loaded Fries with Huancaína SauceHand-Cut Lu Rou Fan with Shiitake and Caramel BraiseLu Rou Tacos with Quick Cucumber PicklesLu Rou Cheese Rice GratinCrispy Lumpia Rice BowlJapanese Miso Mapo UdonMapo Cheese Rice GratinGochujang Rosé Marry Me Chicken Rice BowlSchezwan Cheese DosaBulgogi Cheese PieKimchi Butter Mofongo with Spicy Gochujang PorkMohinga Ramen with Soy-Marinated EggJapanese Miso Butter Shiitake RisottoBibim-naengmyeon GimbapRyotei-Style Nikujaga with First DashiGochujang Pork Nikujaga with Glass NoodlesLazy Nikujaga Croquette Bowl with Crunchy PankoShop-Style Onigiri with Salmon Flakes and Kombu TsukudaniHawaiian Luncheon Meat MusubiCrispy Rice Spicy Tuna Onigiri BitesSeared Chicken Thigh Oyakodon with Homemade DashiCheesy Dakgalbi OyakodonOyakodon Egg SandoGochujang Bulgogi Pad ThaiCrispy Pork Pancit Canton-BihonPancit Canton CarbonaraCrispy Pancit Nests with Garlic ShrimpKorean Perilla-Basil Pesto Spaghetti with Garlic ShrimpAhi Poke Duo with Sushi Rice and Macadamia InamonaGochujang Salmon Poke BowlSpicy Tuna Crispy Rice BitesGochujang Pork PotjieBulgogi Poutine with Gochujang Gravy and KimchiGochujang Chicken Pozole (Korean-Mexican)Gochujang Pulled Pork Tacos with Kimchi SlawTokyo-Style Clear Chicken Shoyu RamenTom Yum Shoyu Ramen with PrawnsCrispy Shoyu Ramen Noodle PancakeChino-Cubano Ropa Vieja Lo MeinEggplant Katsu Sabich SandoJeju-Style Thick-Cut Pork Belly with Anchovy DipGochujang Pork Belly Tacos with Kimchi SalsaHoney-Soy Pork Belly Leek Roll SkewersSamgye Sotbap (Ginseng Chicken Pot Rice)Teriyaki Sausage Sizzle with Japanese Mayo and NoriSchnitzel Katsu CurryDashi Shabu-Shabu with Homemade Ponzu and Egg ZosuiBulgogi Smash Burger with Butter Kimchi and Gochujang MayoTeriyaki Salmon Smørrebrød with Wasabi MayoSoto Ayam RamenGochujang Pork Souvlaki Wrap with Sesame TzatzikiSri Lankan Coconut Chicken Curry UdonGochujang Chicken StroganoffKansai-Style Sukiyaki with Marbled BeefSukiyaki CarbonaraSukiyaki Egg & Cheese ToastSundubu Cheese Rice GratinSuya Beef Yaki UdonRestaurant-Style Köttbullar PlateGochujang Rosé Cream Meatball Rice BowlSwedish Meatball Pasta BakeSweet and Sour Pork Tacos with Pineapple SalsaSweet and Sour Pork Katsu SandoBulgogi Tacos with Kimchi SlawNight-Market Master Popcorn Chicken with Toasted Pepper SaltGochujang-Honey Popcorn Chicken (Korean Yangnyeom Style)Popcorn Chicken Sando with Basil MayoEdomae-Style Tempura with Matcha SaltCrispy-Skin Teriyaki Chicken with Charred NegiTeriyaki Chicken BurgerTeriyaki Chicken & Egg Mayo Rice BowlRof Salmon Tomato Takikomi Gohan (Senegalese x Japanese)Thit Kho Ramen (Caramel Pork Belly and Jammy Eggs)Beef Brisket Tteokbokki with Chili Oil and Jammy EggsCrispy Honey-Gochujang Rice Cake Bites with Cheddar DipClear Brisket Broth Tteokguk with Traditional GarnishesGochujang Butter Yogurt PastaHandmade Sanuki-Style Kitsune UdonCrispy Tofu-Pouch Udon Salad BowlCrispy-Noodle Yakisoba with Homemade SauceCharcoal Yakitori Duo: Salt Negima and TsukuneYakitori Tacos with Lime Slaw and Shichimi MayoYakitori Rice BurgerBulgogi Yorkshire Pudding Bowls

Updated 2026-10-10