Oyster sauce vs. hoisin sauce - what's the difference?

If you are interested in Chinese cuisine, it is important that you know the different sauces that are used and where to use each one.

After all, Chinese sauces have a huge impact on the final result. Therefore, it is necessary to rule out any confusion.

So what is the difference between oyster sauce and Hoisin sauce?

Hoisin sauce is sweeter than oyster sauce. It is also a vegan option, while the oyster sauce is not. Oyster sauce has a mild fishy flavor that is not appreciated in Hoisin sauce. 

However, if you want to prepare a delicious Chinese meal with oyster sauce or Hoisin sauce, you need to know these differences thoroughly.

Let us help you with it! In this guide, we’ll talk about oyster sauce vs. Hoisin sauce. So keep reading to find out.

What is oyster sauce?

Oyster sauce is one of the most important sauces in Chinese cuisine. As its name suggests, this sauce is made with oyster extracts.

The oyster extracts are first caramelized and boiled. Other ingredients are then added, such as salt and sugar. Some brands may even add soy sauce and cornstarch to the sauce for a slightly thicker consistency.

The surprising element is that the oyster sauce does not have as strong a “fishy” flavor as you might expect.

Instead, it’s more on the sweet, earthy, slightly salty side. It also has an almost black or dark brown color and a thick consistency.

However, oyster sauce can taste and smell extremely fishy if you buy it from cheap brands. Instead, opt for the high-quality oyster sauce.

Today, people mainly use it for Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Thai cooking.

What is Hoisin sauce?

On the other hand, Hoisin sauce is totally vegan in nature. This sauce is also common in Chinese cuisine, especially for vegans. It is made up of fermented soybeans.

First, the soybeans are made into a paste with wheat flour. Other ingredients such as vinegar, oil, garlic, salt, sweeteners and many more are also used in the preparation of Hoisin sauce.

Hoisin sauce has an “Umami” flavor due to the fermented soybeans. It also tastes very salty and slightly sweet. Color and texture wise, Hoisin sauce is reddish-brown in color with a thick consistency.

Today, people mainly use it in Cantonese cooking.

Now, you may think that both oyster sauce and Hoisin sauce sound alike. So what is the big difference between them? Well, let’s clear up this confusion.

Differences between oyster sauce and hoisin

If you take some time to look around and try Oyster Sauce and Hoisin Sauce, you will come across the differences mentioned below.

ingredients used

One of the main differences between oyster sauce and Hoisin sauce is the ingredients used. Oyster sauce is a non-vegetarian sauce, while Hoisin sauce is completely vegan.

Hoisin sauce: 

Hoisin sauce is a suitable option for vegans as it contains animal and dairy free ingredients like

• fermented soybean paste
• Sesame seeds
• chili and garlic
• spices
• Preservatives like vinegar, sugar, and salt
• Starch
• Water

Oyster sauce: 

By contrast, oyster sauce is made up of animal products. It mainly contains ingredients such as

• oyster extract
• Water
• Preservatives like sugar and salt
• Starch
• Additional thickeners and flavors

Keep in mind that the ingredients may vary depending on the brand you use.

Therefore, you can choose either one according to your eating plan. If you are vegan, Hoisin sauce is the one to look for!

Taste and texture

It is essential to know the difference in flavor and texture of these sauces to know where to use them.

Now, both oyster sauce and Hoisin sauce have something in common: they are both sweet and salty in nature. They also have a specific “Umami” flavor. However, there is a difference.

Hoisin sauce: 

You can think of Hoisin sauce as a richer version of an American-style barbecue sauce.

This is because Hoisin sauce has a sweeter profile with some saltiness and heat. The salt content is still lower compared to sauces like soy.

As for consistency, Hoisin sauce has a thicker texture due to the addition of starches and other thickeners.

Oyster sauce: 

On the other hand, if we talk about oyster sauce, the sweet taste is not as dominant as in Hoisin sauce. Instead, you will find that oyster sauce has a slight fishy flavor that is absent from Hoisin sauce.

Oyster sauce also has a thick consistency due to the addition of starches and thickeners. But, compared to Hoisin sauce, it is slightly less thick.

Smell

There are some differences in the smell of both oyster sauce and hoisin sauce due to variation in ingredients.

Hoisin sauce: 

Hoisin sauce is on the sweeter side. Hence the dominant odor profile is also sweet. Since it does not contain any non-vegetarian ingredients such as fish or oyster extract, there is no fishy smell.

Instead, you’ll find a sweet and fruity flavor mainly due to the fermentation of the soybeans and the addition of other ingredients. Be aware that if you notice a very pungent, strong, and sour odor, the Hoisin sauce may have gone rancid.

Oyster sauce: 

Since oyster sauce contains extracts from oysters, you will notice that it has a slight fishy/seafood odor. Due to the presence of other ingredients, it also has a slightly sweet and spicy smell.

The good thing is that you can use it straight from the bottle or jar, unlike other similar sauces with strong smells, such as fish sauce.

Use of sauces

If you plan to use oyster sauce or hoisin sauce, it is imperative to know where to use them. Since they both have different flavor profiles, their uses may be different.

Hoisin sauce: 

Hoisin sauce is one of the most widely used sauces in southern China and some parts of the north as well. Hence, its flavor dominates many dishes in Chinese and Cantonese cuisine.

For example, Hoisin adds a sweet flavor to dishes like stir-fries and noodles . It is also the main ingredient in Hoisin mayonnaise or vinaigrette.

But one of the most popular uses for Hoisin sauce is as a dip. Thus, you can use it with meatballs, spring rolls and duck pancakes.

Hoisin sauce is also popular for its glazing effect. So it can add a nice shine (or glaze) to chicken, duck, beef or even vegetable dishes. You just have to brush it lightly on your plate to get that glaze.

Be aware that Hoisin sauce has a very strong flavor. You have to use it in smaller amounts or dilute its strong flavor with oil or water.

Oyster sauce:

Oyster sauce also has a similar use to Hoisin sauce. But, in this case, the dishes will taste less sweet and also have a slight taste of oysters. 

Oyster sauce is the main sauce used in the case of stir-fried vegetables, as well as noodles, such as Sichuan noodles or Chow Mein. It’s because this sauce adds a unique flavor and even an attractive dark brown color to the stir fry.

Like Hoisin sauce, oyster sauce also provides a nice glaze to foods. You can brush it on beef, mushrooms, or even vegetables like broccoli.

You can also use it with dishes like Pad Thai and Kung Pao Prawns.

Shelf life and storage

There are some differences in the shelf life and storage of Oyster Sauce and Hoisin Sauce as listed below:

Hoisin sauce: 

If you plan to buy Hoisin sauce, you can expect it to last about 12-18 months if you have opened the seal.

Instead, if you haven’t opened the seal, you can expect it to last for about three years or more. After that, you may notice some slight changes in the taste and smell of the sauce.

Keep in mind that you need to store Hoisin sauce properly if you want it to last a long time. If you don’t, it can grow mold and go rancid.

If you want to store Hoisin sauce, you should always refrigerate it. Also, make sure you cover it well.

Oyster sauce:

Oyster sauce does not last as long as Hoisin sauce. If you have opened it, you can expect it to last between six months and a year. Afterwards, it can lose its flavor and freshness.

If you haven’t opened the seal, you can expect it to last around 18-24 months.

Like Hoisin sauce, you should also store oyster sauce in the fridge with a suitable lid. If you have not opened the seal, you can store it in a cool place and away from any heating device.

Nutrition

Oyster sauce and Hoisin sauce are made up of different ingredients. This causes a difference in their nutritional value, as indicated below:

Hoisin sauce: 

Hoisin sauce contains a lot of sodium due to the presence of salt. That’s close to 400 mg of sodium per serving (about two tablespoons).

In addition to sodium, Hoisin sauce also contains a lot of sugar due to its sweet taste. It is also not good for people who avoid foods with a lot of sugar. Also, Hoisin sauce contains very little protein (about 1 g) and fat.

Keep in mind that nutritional values vary by brand.

Oyster sauce:

Oyster sauce is also low in nutrients. It has a large amount of sodium due to the preservatives. Plus, it’s also more than Hoisin, having around 490mg in just one tablespoon.

So be sure to balance the sodium content if you plan to use the oyster sauce more often.

Oyster sauce is not very sweet and therefore has a low amount of sugar. It also does not contain enough protein (about 0.24 g) and fat necessary for a healthy diet.

You can use oyster sauce while dieting, as it has a reduced amount of sugars and fats.

Which is better?

Both oyster sauce and Hoisin sauce have their own flavor and benefits. So it depends on your needs.

You can opt for the oyster sauce if

• You want a salty flavor with a mild flavor of the oyster. 
• You plan to prepare stir-fried vegetables, noodles, beef, etc. 
• You want a sauce with less sugar content. 

On the other hand, Hoisin sauce is more suitable if

• You want a totally vegan option. 
• You want a sweet taste instead of salty. 
• You want to use a sauce for spring rolls, duck pancakes, etc.

Can you substitute hoisin sauce for oyster sauce?

The answer is yes, you can substitute the oyster sauce for Hoisin sauce, but with some tweaks.

Hoisin sauce tastes sweeter than oyster sauce . Therefore, it can make your dish a bit sweeter. If you don’t want it to be sweet, you can consider choosing another substitute.

Also, if you like the mild taste of fish, you can take a Hoisin sauce and add some fish sauce to it. This can produce a taste similar to oyster sauce.

If you want to go completely vegan, consider adding Hoisin sauce and soy sauce in a 1:1 ratio . The soy sauce can help balance the sweetness of the Hoisin sauce and give you a substitute similar to oyster sauce.

Similarly, if you want to substitute hoisin sauce for oyster sauce, you have to balance the salt content. You just have to reduce the total salt content of the other ingredients and add some sugar for sweetness.

What are other substitutes for oyster sauce or hoisin sauce?

You can use oyster sauce and hoisin sauce interchangeably. However, there are also other substitutes that you can use, such as

For the oyster sauce 

• Soy Sauce: This sauce tastes salty rather than sweet. Therefore, it is a great substitute for oyster sauce. Be sure to use less soy sauce than oyster sauce, as it has more salt.
• Fish sauce: Again, fish sauce is not sweet. It’s also salty and unsweetened, making it an ideal substitute. You’ll also get the mild fish flavor that is appreciated in oyster sauce.
• Sweet soy sauce: If you don’t mind sweetness, you can opt for a sweet soy sauce instead of the oyster sauce.
• Black Bean Sauce: Black bean sauce has the perfect salty, savory flavor that is appreciated in oyster sauce. You can substitute it for the same amount as the oyster sauce.

For the Hoisin Sauce:

• Miso paste:  You can try using a miso paste to replace the hoisin sauce. It also tastes salty and sweet. But the sugar content is quite less in this case.
• BBQ Sauce: If you’re not looking for a rich, authentic flavor, barbecue sauce can also be a substitute for Hoisin sauce.
• Black bean sauce: Since black bean sauce has a great salty taste, you can use it by adding a little sugar. It will act as one of the best substitutes for Hoisin.

Final thoughts

Oyster sauce and Hoisin sauce have a unique flavor that is sure to delight your taste buds. However, the difficult thing is to choose any of them for your Chinese kitchen.

Hopefully with this guide you can better judge which one best suits your needs.