soy

How do the Japanese view soy sauce?

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White soya sauce plate with sushi

In Japan, soy sauce is regarded primarily as a seasoning. It is used to enhance and balance the flavors of a dish rather than simply adding saltiness. There are almost as many different varieties of soy sauce as there are types of cheese in a Danish supermarket.

But that’s not all. In traditional Japanese cuisine, it is perfectly normal to use several different types of soy sauce in the same dish. This is because soy sauce is brewed and aged in different ways, depending on its intended purpose.

That is why it matters which soy sauce you choose for sushi or for a traditional Japanese noodle soup. These two dishes require different flavor profiles, and the right soy sauce can complement the ingredients and add the perfect finishing touch without overpowering their natural taste.

In our Sushi Course for Beginners, you will learn which type of soy sauce is best suited for sushi and how to use it to enhance the flavors instead of dominating them.

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Which soy sauce is used in classic Japanese dishes?

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When you start making Japanese food, you quickly discover that soy sauce is much more than something you simply dip sushi into.

In Japan, soy sauce is considered an essential seasoning used to enhance the flavors of the food. In fact, there are almost as many different types of soy sauce in a Japanese supermarket as there are cheeses in a Danish supermarket. That is why choosing the right soy sauce matters far more than most people think.

I often see people using the same soy sauce for everything. But just as you would choose the right wine to match a meal, people in Japan also choose the right soy sauce for each individual dish.

Most people have tried eating sushi. But if you use a soy sauce that does not suit sushi, a large part of the flavor experience can actually be lost. The right soy sauce can enhance both the flavor of the fish and the balance of the sushi, while the wrong one can overpower the delicate nuances. The difference truly is like night and day.

At Sushi Course for Beginners, you will learn which soy sauce works best for classic sushi and how small details can make a big difference to the overall flavor.

At Traditional Japanese Cooking Class for Beginners, I introduce you to several different types of soy sauce. You will also learn how to use and balance soy sauce correctly, just as it is done in Japan, so your dishes achieve the deep flavors and aromas that characterize authentic Japanese cuisine.
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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

How long can soy sauce last?

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Soy sauce is fermented soybeans.

In Japan, there are as many different types of soy sauce as there is cheese in a Danish supermarket.
Yep, that’s true.

There are different types of soy sauces for the many styles in Japanese cuisine. For sushi, a specific Japanese soy sauce is used, a soy sauce that is not used for Japanese noodle soups.

All bottles naturally display a recommended expiration date indicating when the soy sauce should be used.
Since soy sauce is made from fermented soybeans, it has a very long shelf life and can usually be consumed even after the expiration date. If you’re unsure, you can always taste it to check the quality.

I store soy sauce outside the fridge too even though the bottle is open, I have always done that. So do Japanese sushi restaurants in Tokyo.

In the Sushi course for beginners, I talk more about which soy sauce is best suited for sushi.

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Why is soy sauce served for sushi?

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There is a definite reason why soy sauce is served for sushi.

In Japan, soy sauce is considered a spice. It’s a way to taste the sushi pieces. It is used in much the same way as we use spices in Europe.

However, there is a difference.
It is not equally valid what type of soy sauce is used for sushi or other Japanese dishes.

Some dishes are delicious and mild like sushi while others are stronger have a stronger flavor such as hotpot.
It is important that you use a soy sauce that goes well with sushi, so that the sushi pieces do not suddenly become too salty to eat. It can ruin the dining experience.

At the Sushi Course for Beginners, you will learn how to use as Japanese sushi chefs in Tokyo use.

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Why is ramen noodle soup the most sought out fast food in Japan?

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Ramen noodles are the most popular fast food in Japan. There are several reasons for this.

The Japanese live a busy life like so many others. They work an average of 10-15 hours a day.
In the big cities, a noodle bar is located in most streets. When the Japanese are on their way home from work, there are many who visit a noodle bar on the way.

From the time they pull a food ticket in the vending machine to a bowl of smoky hot noodle soup placed in front of you, not many minutes go by. For most Japanese, it takes no more than 10 minutes to eat the food until they are on their way.

In Japan, there are many types of noodles soup.

Many eateries have developed their very own soups, which have been passed down from generation to generation. It also means that it is a new experience to visit the local noodle soup bars as soups are not the same.

On the Noodle soup course for beginners, you will learn step by step how to make 2 very different noodle soups including a ramen soup as it tastes in Japan.

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Are there any advantages to using Japanese ingredients?

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Without a doubt yes.
Ingredients have different flavors and taste according to the world they come from. The fewest are aware that Japan, Korea and China produce seaweed to sushi.

Here I think the variety used to produce the tang, the taste and the quality. The same applies when it comes to pickled ginger, soy sauce and vinegar.

Sushi is a nice and delicate eating so it is worth paying to buy ingredients that emphasize the fine shades of the food without dodging or dominating.

Read more about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has held sushi courses and cooking classes for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

That is why vegetarian sushi never gets boring!

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From time to time I meet a person who is vegetarian or vegan. They are a little challenged when it comes to finding a sushi menu which they find interesting and delicious.

Vegetarian sushi is an underestimated dish.
There are so many different kinds of raw materials that are suitable for vegetarian sushi. Tasty and interesting vegetable beyond avocado and cucumber.
In Europe, you will experience that every season offers unique rar materials which are perfect for vegetarian sushi.

However, to turn raw materiale into to tasty and delicious sushi pieces you will have to sushi several Japanese cooking techniques since vegtables can be quite a challenge.

Read more about Sushi Chef & Sake Sommelier Zoë Escher

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Zoë has held sushi courses and cooking classes for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.