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Hoisin sauce

Hoisin sauce is a thick, dark, sweet-savoury condiment used in Chinese cuisine, especially Cantonese cooking.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Hoisin sauce is a thick, dark, sweet-savoury condiment used in Chinese cuisine, especially Cantonese cooking. It is commonly used as a glaze, stir-fry ingredient, marinade, or dipping sauce. Despite its name, it usually contains no seafood.

Origin and name

Hoisin sauce originates from China and is strongly associated with Cantonese cooking. Its name comes from Cantonese and literally means 'seafood sauce', although the sauce itself typically contains no seafood.

Ingredients and flavour

Commercial hoisin sauce is usually made from soybeans or fermented soybean paste, sugar, garlic, vinegar, chili, and spices. It is known for a thick texture and a balance of sweet, salty, and savoury flavours.

Culinary uses

Hoisin sauce is used as a glaze for meats, an ingredient in stir-fries and marinades, and a dipping sauce. It is commonly paired with dishes such as Peking duck and roast pork.

Regional and commercial variation

Recipes for hoisin sauce vary by region and manufacturer. Some versions include sesame, five-spice powder, flour, or sweet potato, reflecting different commercial and regional styles.

Key facts

  • Hoisin sauce originated in China and is most closely associated with Cantonese cuisine.
  • It is a thick, dark sauce with a sweet-savoury taste profile.
  • Common ingredients include soybeans, garlic, sugar, vinegar, and spices, often including chili.
  • It is used both in cooking and as a table condiment.
  • Hoisin sauce is commonly served with Peking duck and used on pork, poultry, and stir-fried dishes.
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Canadian context

Hoisin sauce is widely available in Canadian grocery stores and Asian supermarkets and is commonly used in Chinese-Canadian and other East Asian-inspired home cooking.

Frequently asked questions

What is hoisin sauce?
Hoisin sauce is a thick, dark Chinese condiment with a sweet-savoury flavour, used in cooking and as a dipping sauce.
Does hoisin sauce contain seafood?
Usually no. Its name means 'seafood sauce' in Cantonese, but most modern hoisin sauces contain soybeans, spices, garlic, sugar, and vinegar instead.
What does hoisin sauce taste like?
It tastes sweet, salty, savoury, and often slightly spicy, with a rich umami flavour.
How is hoisin sauce used in cooking?
It is used as a glaze for meats, in stir-fries and marinades, and as a dipping sauce for dishes like duck and pork.
What cuisine is hoisin sauce most associated with?
It is most closely associated with Chinese cuisine, especially Cantonese cuisine.

References

  1. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/hoisin-sauce
    Supports: Definition, ingredients, uses, and association with Chinese cuisine.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoisin_sauce
    Supports: Origin in China, Cantonese prominence, common uses, and typical ingredients.
  3. South China Morning Post — https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3319242/what-hoisin-sauce-how-chinese-condiment-spread-asia-trader-joes
    Supports: Cantonese origin, meaning of the name, and absence of seafood in the sauce.
  4. Office québécois de la langue française — https://vitrinelinguistique.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/fiche-gdt/fiche/2095133/sauce-hoisin
    Supports: French-language definition, ingredients, and culinary uses.
  5. Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/hoisin
    Supports: Basic definition and ingredients.