Hoisin sauce
海鲜酱 / 海鮮醬 · hǎixiān jiàng (pinyin)
A thick, sweet-salty dark sauce built on fermented soybean paste; its Chinese name means 'seafood sauce' but it contains no seafood.
What it means
Hoisin sauce (海鲜酱, hǎixiān jiàng) is a thick, dark, sweet and salty sauce. Its base is fermented soybean paste, and Wikipedia lists common additions including garlic, chili, vinegar, five-spice powder and sugar, plus sesame in some versions. The Woks of Life distinguishes it from sweet bean sauce and sweet bean paste, which lack hoisin's extra seasonings.
The name comes from Cantonese words for 'seafood', yet the sauce contains no seafood and is not typically served with it. Sources differ on why: Wikipedia ties the name to a 'seafood flavour' descriptor used in Chinese cuisine, while The Woks of Life says the origin of the name is unclear.
It is used as a glaze or marinade for meats such as char siu, as a dipping sauce for Peking duck, rice noodle rolls and moo shu pork, and as a table condiment for Vietnamese pho.
A common mix-up
The name suggests seafood; the sauce is built on fermented soybeans and has no seafood.
Questions people ask
Does hoisin sauce contain seafood?
No. Both Wikipedia and The Woks of Life say the name means 'seafood sauce' but the sauce contains no seafood.
What is hoisin used for?
As a glaze or marinade for barbecued meats such as char siu, and as a dip for Peking duck, rice noodle rolls and moo shu pork.
Sources & further reading
Background and preparation references. Our descriptions are editorial summaries, not restaurant reviews.