Question 1

Are hoisin sauce and char siu sauce the same?

Accepted Answer

No they are not the same. Hoisin sauce is made from fermented soybeans mixed with garlic, chilli, sesame, Chinese spices and vinegar.

Char siu sauce is a condiment made from hoisin sauce, sugar, Chinese five spice powder, Chinese cooking wine, soy sauce, garlic and often also food colouring.

Question 2

What's the difference between light and dark soy sauce?

Accepted Answer

Light soy sauce is the generic soy sauce used in most Chinese recipes, its main use is to add flavour to dishes.

Dark soy sauce is darker, thicker and sweeter and is used more to add colour to dishes.

Question 3

What sauce is used for Peking duck?

Accepted Answer

Traditionally Peking duck (or Beijing roast duck) is served with sweet bean sauce (甜面酱 tiánmiànjiàng).

However, many Chinese restaurants in the West will use hoisin sauce instead.

Question 4

What is hoisin sauce made of?

Accepted Answer

Hoisin sauce is made from fermented soybeans mixed with garlic, chilli, sesame, Chinese spices and vinegar.

Question 5

What is oyster sauce made of?

Accepted Answer

Oyster sauce is made from boiled oysters and also normally includes soy sauce, water, sugar, garlic and wheat flour for thickening.

Question 6

What is the chilli oil in Chinese restaurants?

Accepted Answer

The chilli oil you find in Chinese restaurants will normally either be Guizhou style chilli oil, with the most famous being Lao Gan Ma, or Sichuan style chilli oil.

It's a popular condiment used in lots of Chinese cooking.

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