Wondering what Gyoza sauce is; what it is made of, tastes like, and is best eaten with? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Here is everything you need to know about this Asian condiment.
So, what is Gyoza sauce? Gyoza sauce is a rich, dark dipping sauce most often eaten with dumplings, or spring rolls. It is a popular condiment in Japanese cuisine. Traditionally, it is made from both Soy sauce and vinegar, with some recipes calling for chili too.
The term Gyoza actually refers to the Japanese pan-fried dumplings; often eaten as starters or as snacks.
And they’re incredibly popular too.
But a dish like this naturally needs a sauce and hence, Gyoza sauce was invented as the perfect accompaniment.
So let us now take a closer look at what to expect from it!
What Is Gyoza Sauce Made Of?
Gyoza sauce is typically made from part Soy Sauce, part Vinegar (typically rice vinegar). Although, many recipes will also call for chilis, sesame oil, and particular aromatics, such as garlic, or ginger.
That is for your typical at-home recipe, although it must be said that brands and products on the market sometimes use different ingredients too.
Take the popular Kikkoman brand.
Here is their full ingredient list, for reference:
High Fructose Corn Syrup, Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Water, Vinegar, Salt, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate: Less Than 1/10 Of 1% As A Preservative, Garlic Powder, Spice, Natural Flavor.’
And again, here is the ingredient list for another leading market brand, Ajinomoto:
Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt, Alcohol), Sugar Vinegar, Watar, Sugar, Less Than 2% Of: Monosodium Glutamate, Garlic, Citric Acid (To Help Protect Flavor), Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate.
So as you can see, the base of Gyoza never strays too far. But you do get additional ingredients in store-bought versions.
Some for preservation, others for flavoring – such as is the case for added ingredients like sugar, or high fructose corn syrup.
What Does Gyoza Sauce Taste Like?
Gyoza sauce is savory, salty, tangy, and slightly sweet. It is a little acidic, but can also be a little spicy depending on whether chili is used. Generally, it is quite balanced in flavors.
Can You Buy Gyoza Sauce?
You can buy Gyoza sauce and there are several different brands available on the market.
The most popular brand is Kikkoman, and you can purchase this online on sites such as Amazon.
Alternatively, Walmart and most grocery stores are known to stock it; often keeping it in their Asian or International foods section.
Then there are specialty Japanese markets too. They’ll stock it for sure.
And if you are to visit a Japanese market, then chances are you’ll be able to find other brands and variations too.
That being said, Amazon does sell a range of Gyoza dipping sauce products, including authentic Japanese brands – as you can see by visiting the site with this search here.
Alternatively, you can always buy Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar, and Sesame Oil and mix them together.
As we shall see in the recipe below.
Gyoza Sauce Recipe
This delicious Gyozo sauce is the perfect dip for dumplings, or spring rolls.
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon of Hot Water,
- 1 Tablespoon of Soy Sauce
- 1/2 Tablespoon of Rice Vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon of Sesame Oil,
- 1 Garlic Clove,
- 1 Teaspoon of grated ginger.
- 1/4 Teaspoon of brown sugar.
- 1/4 Teaspoon of Chili flakes.
Instructions
- Grate the garlic and the ginger.
- Add all of the ingredients into a bowl and combine them thoroughly.
- Add the hot water slowly to reach your desired sauce consistency and depth of flavor (more water results in a weaker, runnier sauce).
- Allow the sauce to sit for 15-20 minutes to give the flavors a chance to infuse.
- Taste before serving and adjust if necessary. More water, more soy sauce, more chili, etc.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
You can manipulate the sauce flavor by altering the ingredients as follows:
- If you don't like spice, remove the chili or use less. If you like spice, add more chili.
- If you like a sweeter Gyoza, add more sugar, or use less.
- If you find your Gyoza too salty, add more hot water, and/or sugar.
- Not a fan or garlic or ginger - remove it altogether!
What Can You Eat Gyoza Sauce With?
Gyoza sauce is perfect for dumplings first and foremost. Although, it is perfect as a dipping sauce for a wide range of other foods and dishes.
For instance, you can dip egg rolls or grilled shrimp into Gyoza.
Equally, drizzle it over a steak or over a salad.
Alternatively, you can use Gyoza as a base; adding other ingredients to make your own signature variation of the sauce.
Ingredients like chili oil, hot sauce, onions are all known to work well!
Finally
Gyoza sauce – the perfect condiment to this delicious dumpling dish.
But it can be enjoyed with a lot of other foods too.
That’s because it’s a perfect balance between savory and sweet.
And what’s more, you can alter the recipe to alter it according to your preferences. Whether it’s saltier, sweeter, spicier, or more indulgent!
No wonder why it’s such a popular staple condiment in Japan!
Hello, I’m Jeremy, a sauce enthusiast and taste trailblazer! My endless pursuit of new flavors has led me on a journey to master sauce making at home, along with try out a range of exciting brands and sauce offerings. Now I share my recipes, tips and recommendations on WeWantTheSauce to help fellow foodies find the perfect sauces.