Short facts : It has a rich, savoury and slightly sweet flavour with a hint of seafood umami
Oyster sauce is a dark, thick and savoury condiment commonly used in Asian cuisine, particularly in Chinese and Thai dishes. It is made by simmering oysters in water until they release their flavourful juices, which are then thickened with starch, sweetened with sugar and seasoned with salt and soy sauce. The sauce has a rich, savoury and slightly sweet flavour profile with a hint of seafood umami.
Oyster sauce is commonly used as a marinade for meat and seafood dishes, glazes as well as a stir-fry sauce or flavouring for vegetables. It adds depth and complexity to dishes and helps to enhance the overall flavour. Oyster sauce is also a key ingredient in dishes such as beef and broccoli, stir-fried noodles and various stir-fried vegetable dishes. When using oyster sauce in cooking, it is important to note that it is quite salty, so it should be used in moderation. While oyster sauce is traditionally made from oysters, there are vegetarian versions available that use mushrooms or other plant-based ingredients to achieve a similar flavour profile.