Soy Sauce: For Cooking and Consuming

Soy Sauce in Malaysia

Soy sauce can be eaten as it is or for cooking. Soy sauce is well-known in Asian-style cuisine, and there are many types of soy sauce to name: Chinese Soy Sauce, Japanese Soy Sauce, and Indonesian Soy Sauce.

In Malaysia, where I grew up, we have three different kind of soy sauce.

We have Kicap Soya Cair (Light Soy Sauce), Kicap Pekat (Dark Soy Sauce) and Kicap Manis (Sweet Soy Sauce).

As I search, soy sauce is different between countries South East Asia. Thus, this information is based will described about Soy Sauce that available in Malaysia.

Two Bottles which consists of Dark Soy Sauce and Sweet Soy Sauce — *Dark Soy Sauce and Sweet Soya Sauce, a must have ingredient in my Kitchen*

Light Soy Sauce

Light Soy Sauce or in Malay known as Kicap Soya Cair.

The consistency is thin and the taste is salty. Due the salty taste it is also known as Salty Soy Sauce. We rarely consume this as it is rather, we used as cooking. This soy sauce can be used to make soy sauce for chicken rice and fried kuey teow.

Chicken Rice: Add salty soy sauce to chicken broth.

Fried Kuey Teow: Combine salty soy sauce and oyster sauce.

Fried Rice Noodles with Light Soy Sauce. — *Light Soy Sauce can be used for fried rice noodles as well.*

Sweet Soy Sauce

Sweet soy sauce or Kicap Manis in Malay has thick consistency and sweet taste. The sweet soy sauce can be eaten as it is. This black sauce is a type of condiment suitable for kids and adults.

Daily Eating: Kids love to have it with freshly cooked rice.

With Rice: The taste is even better when eaten with a fried egg or deep-fried fish such as mackerel.

Sweet Soy Sauce with a bowl of rice porridge. — *One of the simple meal that I give to my children when they were young, congee and sweet soy sauce.*

Dark Soy Sauce

Dark soy sauce or Kicap Pekat in Malay, the consistency is a little thick than light soy sauce. The dark soy sauce is salty however less salty compare to light soy sauce. This dark soy sauce suitable for making fried rice noodles or for marinating chicken.

Marinating Chicken: Add a bit of Worcestershire sauce and black pepper to the dark soy sauce for a good and healthy baked chicken.

Dark soy sauce can be used as a dip or “pencicah” in Malay.

Dip for Grilled Fish (Ikan Bakar): Take bird eye chilies from the garden, cut them, slice a calamansi lime, squeeze the juice, add diced red onion, and mix with sweet soy sauce in a small bowl.

Ingredients for Soy Sauce Dip. — Ingredients use for Soy Sauce Dip.
From the left, dark soy sauce, red chilies, red onion and calamansi lime.

Dip for Bihun Soup: Pound bird eye chilies with garlic, add soy sauce to the mixture, and put a few amounts in the bihun soup to make it hot and spicy

Frequently Asked Questions About Soy Sauce

Difference between Dark Soy Sauce and Sweet Soy Sauce

Dark Soy Sauce in Malaysia come somewhere in between sweet soy sauce and salty soy sauce. The taste is less salty. It has a little thick consistency than salty soy sauce but not too thick like sweet soy sauce.

Dark soy sauce can be eaten both with or without cooking. While sweet soy sauce can be eaten without cooking together with hot white rice.

How to Store Soy Sauce?

Soy sauce should be stored in a cool, dark place. Once opened, it is best to keep it refrigerated to maintain its flavor and quality.

Can Soy Sauce Be Used as a Marinade?

Yes, all three types of soy sauce can be used as marinades. Light soy sauce is great for adding a salty depth, dark soy sauce for a rich color and savory taste, and sweet soy sauce for a sweet taste.

Can Soy Sauce Be Used for Dipping?

Yes, soy sauce can be used for dipping. Dark soy sauce with grilled dishes, and sweet soy sauce with various rice dishes.