The brown sauce at Vietnamese restaurants is typically hoisin sauce. It is a thick, sweet and savory sauce made from soybeans, garlic, chili peppers, and various spices. It is commonly used as a condiment for spring rolls, grilled meats, and stir-fried dishes.
The brown sauce commonly found at Vietnamese restaurants is none other than the delightful and versatile hoisin sauce. It is a rich, flavorful condiment that adds a perfect balance of sweetness and savory notes to various dishes. Hoisin sauce is well-known for its distinct taste and is a staple in Vietnamese cuisine, and it can enhance the flavors of everything from spring rolls to stir-fried dishes. Let’s delve deeper into the world of hoisin sauce with some interesting facts.
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Hoisin sauce, also known as Chinese barbecue sauce, originated in China and made its way into the Vietnamese culinary repertoire. Its name translated from Cantonese means “seafood sauce,” although it doesn’t primarily contain seafood ingredients.
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The key components of hoisin sauce are soybeans, garlic, chili peppers, vinegar, sugar, and a blend of spices. These ingredients are combined to create a thick and glossy sauce that has a complex flavor profile with hints of sweetness, saltiness, and tanginess.
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Hoisin sauce is commonly used as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, dumplings, and banh mi sandwiches. Its versatility extends to being a marinade or glaze for grilled meats, such as beef or pork, imparting a delightful caramelized flavor.
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One intriguing aspect of hoisin sauce is the presence of five-spice powder as one of its typical ingredients. This aromatic blend typically includes star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds. This combination contributes to the unique and enticing aroma of hoisin sauce.
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Surprisingly, despite its name and association with seafood, hoisin sauce does not include any seafood ingredients in its traditional recipe. However, variations of hoisin sauce can occasionally include shrimp paste, adding a distinctive umami taste.
To perfectly capture the essence of hoisin sauce, renowned chef Martin Yan once said, “Hoisin sauce is like the secret weapon in the chef’s arsenal, adding complexity and depth to Asian dishes. It’s the combination of umami, sweetness, and spices that makes it so addictive.”
Although this table might not be comprehensive, it serves as a quick reference guide to understanding the components and usage of hoisin sauce:
Component | Description |
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Soybeans | The base ingredient, providing a rich and savory taste |
Garlic | Adds pungency and depth of flavor |
Chili Peppers | Infuses a subtle level of heat to the sauce |
Vinegar | Balances the overall taste with a hint of tanginess |
Sugar | Contributes sweetness and helps in caramelization when used as a glaze or marinade |
Blend of Spices | Typically includes five-spice powder, lending a unique and enticing aroma to the sauce |
In conclusion, hoisin sauce is much more than just a brown sauce found at Vietnamese restaurants. Its complex and captivating flavors, derived from soybeans, garlic, chili peppers, and a blend of spices, make it an indispensable ingredient in various Vietnamese dishes. So the next time you visit a Vietnamese eatery, be sure to savor the delightful taste of hoisin sauce and let its sweet and savory qualities tantalize your taste buds.
Video answer to “What is the brown sauce at Vietnamese restaurants?”
In this video, the chef shows how to prepare Chinese brown sauce, also known as spicy sauce or mother sauce. The sauce incorporates ingredients such as minced ginger, minced garlic, green onions, sugar, soy sauce, cooking wine, mushroom flavored dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and heated chicken or vegetable stock. After combining the ingredients and allowing the sauce to cool, it is then strained to remove the ginger, garlic, and green onion. The finished sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for future use.
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hoisin sauceVietnamese cuisine In Vietnamese, hoisin sauce is called tương đen. It is a popular condiment for phở, a Vietnamese noodle soup, in southern Vietnam. The sauce can be directly added into a bowl of phở at the table, or it can be used as a dip for the meat of phở dishes.
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A must-have for Asian recipes, hoisin is a thick dark brown glaze that’s made from soybeans, fennel, red peppers, and garlic. It’s usually used as a marinade for meats as a dipping sauce for Peking duck and Vietnamese pho!
The soy sauce and fish sauce are used to flavor the broth and the hoisin sauce and chili sauce are used to flavor the meat and as such, should be placed directly on the meat not in the broth.