I Asked 3 Japanese Chefs To Name the Best Soy Sauce—They All Said the Same Thing

Japanese cuisine is one of my all-time favorites. I fell deeply in love with it when I traveled to Japan 15 years ago to visit my brother, who studied in Kyoto. While I was initially not enthused about taking the trip as a high schooler missing her winter break, Japanese culture completely won me over, and to this day, it’s still the best travel experience I’ve ever had.

The authentic meals we enjoyed during our travels blew every Japanese meal I had eaten in the U.S.—up until that point—out of the water. Whether it was sushi, ramen, soba, shabu, or tempura, I truly could not get enough. The culinary experience was nothing short of life-changing for this budding foodie.

Fast forward to today, and Japanese is my top choice when eating out. However, I do occasionally try my hand at cooking it at home, which got me thinking about soy sauce. While I usually just grab whatever brand is available at my local grocer, I know that as a culinary cornerstone in Japanese cuisine, there are many different kinds of soy sauce.

This sparked curiosity around what widely available variety Japanese chefs often turn to. After polling a handful of them, I found that they all reach for the same brand!

The Food Pros I Asked

• Amy Kimoto-Kahn: Boulder, Colorado-based yonsei (fourth-generation Japanese American), wife, mom of three, creator behind Japanese food blog easypeasyjapanesey, personal chef, and best-selling author
• Hiroko Shimbo: Chef, instructor at Culinary Institute of America (Hyde Park), consultant, and author
• Namiko Hirasawa Chen: Co-founder and curator of JOC Goods, a Japanese kitchen tool hub, and creator of Just One Cookbook

The Best Soy Sauce for Everyday Use

All of these extremely accomplished Japanese chefs agree that Kikkoman Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce is the best brand to invest in. “This is my go-to for daily cooking, thanks to its well-balanced flavor that compliments most Japanese dishes,” says Hirasawa Chen. Shimbo agrees, sharing, “the quality is good, and the price is reasonable.” This soy sauce offers that signature umami flavor Japanese food lovers have come to expect.

Meanwhile, Kimoto-Kahn typically reaches for their Less Sodium variety. “I use this as a lower sodium option because they remove approximately 40 percent of the salt after the fermentation and aging process is complete,” she explains. By removing the sodium after fermentation, Kikkoman’s Less Sodium soy sauce maintains a more traditional soy sauce flavor. “It's also readily available at most grocery stores, has a nice flavor profile, and is Kosher, which is a plus,” Kimoto-Kahn adds.

And these chefs have plenty of uses for this accessible soy sauce in the kitchen. Aside from sashimi and sushi, Hirasawa Chen uses soy sauce in simmer sauces, marinades, or as a simple drizzle. “Soy sauce is a fundamental ingredient in Japanese cooking, bringing depth, color, and a finishing touch of flavor to countless dishes…its versatility makes it a kitchen essential,” she explains.

As a darker, more standard soy sauce, Shimbo uses Kikkoman in recipes like nikujaga (a beef, potato, and carrot dish) and teriyaki sauce. “No day passes without using soy sauce in my kitchen!” she exclaims. Kimoto-Kahn also uses Kikkoman in fried rice and marinades for chicken, salmon, beef, or vegetables.

You can find Kikkoman soy sauces in most large grocery store chains across the nation, helping you to cook up traditional Japanese fare at home.

An Upgraded Option

For a fancier soy sauce, these chefs also recommend Takesan Kishibori Shoyu Pure Artisan Soy Sauce as an affordable, top-quality product. “It's fermented in 100-year-old barrels on a small inland island of Japan called Shodoshima. It is not treated with alcohol or preservatives and has a slow fermentation process that results in a well-rounded flavor and umami richness,” shares Kimoto-Kahn.

While you won’t find this soy sauce at your local grocery store, you can easily purchase it online to get a taste of Japan delivered straight to your door!

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