what is oyster sauce

Oyster sauce is a rich, syrupy sauce commonly used in Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisines. Despite its name, it doesnt taste like fish; instead, it has an earthy, slightly sweet, and salty flavor, similar to a blend of soy sauce and barbecue sauce. It is made from oyster extract, salt, and sugar, and some versions include soy sauce thickened with cornstarch. Oyster sauce is dark brown, almost black in color, and has a thick consistency. It is used in both meat and vegetable dishes, and it is commonly used in stir-fry sauces. Oyster sauce can be used straight from the bottle, added to other sauces, used as a sauce on its own, or drizzled on top of steamed vegetables. It is known for giving dishes a glossy appearance due to its velvety texture. Oyster sauce is less salty than soy sauce and is full of umami, making it a versatile and flavorful condiment for various dishes.