Our Top Picks: 17 Best Asian Sauces

Looking for a way to take your meal to the next level? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. 

We’ve got 17 amazing Asian sauces sure to do the trick. From spicy to tangy to savory, you’ll find something to bring your meal to life.

There’s no doubt about it: we’re living in a golden age of Asian food.

And what do I mean by “golden”? 

I mean that when you’re at the grocery store, you can’t walk down an aisle without running into a sauce that looks like it came straight out of a dragon’s mouth.

Or maybe the lady next to you just made some kind of sauce that glows in the dark and smells like flowers but tastes like heaven.

But what if you don’t know which one is which? 

What if you don’t know what to do with all these crazy sauces?

That’s where I come in! 

Here are 17 Asian sauces you will never want to buy in any other store ever again (because you’re going to make them yourself).

Do you like sweet and tangy sauces like the Vietnamese tamarind dipping sauce?

Or do you prefer spicy and creamy, like the bang bang sauce? 

Maybe you’re more of a #16 person: sweet and spicy.

No matter what kind of Asian sauce you like, this list has got it covered.

So, let’s get down to it!

1. Chinese Garlic Sauce

Chinese Garlic Sauce is a sweet and savory sauce, traditionally made with soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar.

It’s thick and hearty, adding a hint of umami to dishes. 

And people commonly cook it alongside meat or veggies or even both.

This is also the kind of sauce that can make all the difference in your dish. 

You may have had it before with shrimp or chicken, but did you know that it can bring a new flavor profile to anything?

Yes, it can! 

So, try this sauce next time you’re making Chinese cuisine and see if you don’t fall in love with its sweet-and-salty-but-not-too-sweet flavor.

2. Hoisin Sauce

The first thing you should know about hoisin sauce is that it’s not just for stir-fries. 

You can also have it as a sauce for dipping, glaze, or even as an ingredient for your marinades.

Hoisin sauce has a rich, deep flavor that fills your mouth with salty and tangy flavors. 

It’s thick in consistency (it’s made from soy sauce, miso paste, and spices), which means it will cling to whatever you’re cooking—making it perfect for most savory dishes.

You can find hoisin sauce at most grocery stores, but if you want to try something new, experiment with making your own!

3. Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

Have you ever eaten Thai Sweet Chili Sauce?

If not, let me tell you: it’s the bomb.

It’s simultaneously sweet, savory, tangy, and spicy—and it’s addictive. 

I’m talking about “I want to eat this with everything” levels of addictiveness.

It’s common in Thai and Malaysian cuisine, but it’s also great in American recipes.

Plus, you can dip almost anything in it: chips, celery, carrots, or even fried foods like chicken wings or shrimp tempura.

Try it, and you’ll be surprised at how good this stuff is.

4. Vietnamese Tamarind Dipping Sauce

Vietnamese Tamarind Dipping Sauce is one of those things that makes you say, “WOW.”

It’s sweet and tangy, with a little bit of zing. 

It’s savory and slightly spicy. And it’s got this great sour tamarind flavor that really pulls everything together.

It’s also a South and Southeast Asian favorite, used to add some zest to soups or with grilled fish or seafood.

5. Orange Sauce

Do you know how you’re always looking for that one sweet, citric sauce that just makes everything taste amazing?

Well, this is it.

It’s called the Orange Sauce, and you’ll love its vibrant taste—especially on tofu, chicken, or pork.

It also goes great with any vegetable stir-fries served with sticky rice.

But unlike most Asian sauces, it’s not spicy. 

Still, you can kick up the heat by adding red pepper flakes.

This sauce is great if you want something different than the traditional sweet and sour sauces you’ve all grown accustomed to eating.

6. General Tso’s Sauce

General Tso’s Sauce is a sweet, tangy, and spicy sauce that’s easy to make.

It’s similar to kung pao but tastes milder and less spicy. 

It’s thick enough to use as a dip or condiment for your favorite chicken, shrimp, or tofu dishes.

But do you know the secret ingredient that gives this sauce its distinctive flavor? 

Dried chilis—they make the dish just a bit extra spicy.

Although, you can still adjust the heat level by using fewer chilis (or substituting them with milder peppers).

7. Sweet & Sour Sauce

You know when you’re eating a dish and think, “It’s good, but it needs something.”

Well, I have something for you. Sweet & Sour Sauce.

This is a sweet, tangy sauce without being overly sweet (which can sometimes be a bit much).

The crushed pepper flakes add just enough heat to make it interesting, but not so much that it’s spicy—it’s perfect if you want something sour and syrupy that pairs well with chicken or pork.

And it serves as a great dipping sauce for dumplings or spring rolls.

This sauce is perfect for people who want to add just the right amount of flavor to their food without spending hours trying to figure out how to do it. 

Just mix up a batch of simple stuff, and voila! 

You’re done.

8. Ssamjang (Korean Dipping Sauce)

Ssamjang is a mildly spicy, nutty, pungent, smoky sauce with a touch of salty flavor. 

Ssamjang means ‘wrap sauce’ in Korean.

The name comes from the fact that this tangy-zingy sauce is traditionally eaten wrapped up in lettuce leaves or on top of grilled foods like meat (usually beef), seafood, or tofu with rice and other side dishes.

The main ingredients in ssamjang are fermented soybean paste (also known as doenjang) and gochujang—a spicy fermented red pepper paste that gives this dipping sauce its distinctive taste.

9. Miso Ginger Sauce

Have you ever had a meal that was just a little too bland?

No one wants that. 

We want our food to be flavorful, dynamic, and exciting.

And if we could make it spicy, even better. 

Well, I’ve got a sauce for you!

Introducing: the Miso Ginger Sauce. 

This sauce is rich and complex, with a pleasant spiciness from ginger and a kick from sriracha that will leave your palate asking for seconds.

There’s just a hint of sweetness from the rice vinegar and honey that balances out the density of the miso paste without making it too sweet or overpowering.

The acidity is also surprisingly pretty mild from the combination of mirin and rice vinegar, which makes it great for adding some flavor to your fish, shrimp, chicken, pasta, or vegetables.

10. Bang Bang Sauce

There’s something about a good bang bang sauce, and you know what I’m saying?

It’s rich and creamy but spicy.

It’s the kind of thing that you want to eat with a spoon.

You want to drizzle it over your chicken tenders or dip your chips in it.

Maybe you even want to serve it up with some shrimp or seafood.

And here’s the best part: this Bang Bang Sauce is super simple. 

You’ll only need a few simple ingredients. 

And boom! 

You’ve got an awesome Bang Bang Sauce that’ll knock your socks off.

11. Teriyaki Sauce

Teriyaki Sauce is a Japanese condiment with a salty, sweet, and savory combination of ingredients.

It is often a dipping sauce for meats and veggies, but you can also slather it on chicken, shrimp, or fish.

But what makes teriyaki sauce so unique?

Well, the mirin or sake gives this sauce its luster and shine. 

It’s also what gives it its slight tanginess.

And it’s the caramelization of the sugar that gives it its sweet flavor.

If you’ve ever tried the sweet and sour sauce, you’ll recognize that Teriyaki Sauce tastes just like sweet and sour sauce but adds tanginess.

12. Spicy Ginger & Lime Sauce

Have you ever had a flavor explosion in your mouth? 

You know, that moment when you take a bite of something, and all of the flavors combine and make your brain go, “ohhhhhh yesssss”?

That’s what this spicy ginger and lime sauce is like.

It’s got a little bit of everything: zesty, slight tartness, sweetness, gingery goodness, and a whole lot of spice.

This sauce is perfect for dipping fresh spring rolls or marinating either chicken or seafood.

You can also use it as a condiment for grilled meat and fish.

13. Sambal Terasi (Indonesian Chili Sauce With Shrimp Paste)

If you’re looking for a bold, adventurous, and fascinating way to spice up your dishes, look no further than Sambal Terasi.

Sambal Terasi is an Indonesian chili and shrimp paste sauce that has a strong fishy aroma from the shrimp paste.

It’s thick and fiery, with a salty, spicy taste that’s strong enough to take your breath away—but in a good way!

And it’s no surprise that this sauce is most commonly served with fried foods like chicken wings or grilled meats.

It pairs perfectly with both of these options because it can help cut through greasy or heavy flavors while bringing an umami taste that will make your taste buds do backflips.

14. Asian Peanut Sauce

Who doesn’t love peanut sauce?

It’s bold, sweet, salty, and flavorful.

And this Asian Peanut Sauce recipe is no different.

It blends with almost any recipe to create the right balance of sweetness, sourness, and saltiness with just enough flavor-dense nuttiness to make your palate happy.

It’s also a creamy addition to chicken, noodles, spring rolls, and stir-fries alike!

Asian peanut sauce is one of those rare sauces you can use in so many dishes—from simple salads to complex stir-fries and stews—that you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

15. Asian Barbecue Sauce

Asian Barbecue Sauce is all rich flavor of caramel and umami.

It’s sweet and spicy, with a sticky consistency.

And it has a reddish-brown hue and well-balanced Asian notes that will make your mouth water.

Asian Barbecue Sauce is also a classic sauce that works well with almost any meat or vegetable.

Plus, it’s great for making a glaze for chicken or pork. 

You can even have it as a dip for fries or as a marinade for tofu.

16. Asian Plum Sauce

Plum sauce is a sweet, tart, and spicy condiment that’s perfect for dipping or drizzling on your favorite deep-fried dishes.

It’s got a great balance of flavors—a light sweetness and tartness with just the right amount of spice—and it’s made with plums, garlic, ginger, and apple cider vinegar.

It also tastes similar to hoisin sauce, but hoisin has more kick to it and is spicier; the plum sauce is more jammy and made with plums.

17. Chinese White Sauce

Chinese White Sauce is a tasty, versatile condiment that you can use to flavor all kinds of stir-fry dishes.

It’s sweet and tangy, with a light and subtle flavor that’s creamy yet light.

And the consistency is rather thick, so it sticks to the food you’re cooking and adds great flavor.

Chinese white sauce is made with stock, garlic, and ginger, so it’s pretty much just a bunch of ingredients in a pot on the stove!

Use it on chicken or vegetables or even mix it into your fried rice for an extra kick.

With this recipe, you’ll be able to whip up one of the most unique Asian sauces in no time at all—and then use it over and over again for all kinds of delicious stir fry dishes.

The bottom line

So, there you have it.

The 17 most incredible Asian sauces that will make your food taste like they were made by a professional chef.

And now that you know which ones to use, it’s time to get cooking!