Unagi sauce is one of the key ingredients in classic Japanese unagi. Unagi sauce can be made with a variety of different ingredients, but it’s typically made from soy sauce, mirin, sake and sugar. If you’re planning to cook your own version at home or just want some alternatives for when you don’t have access to traditional unagi sauces on-hand., here are our top 7 suggestions!
The classic sauce that is made from cooked eel and soy sauce, unagi sauce has been a favorite in Japan for centuries. But because of the scarcity of ingredients needed to make it, many people are looking for other options.
Unagi sauce is a Japanese dipping sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and ginger. It is used to flavor grilled eel. If you are looking for a substitute for this dip, here are the top 7 Unagi Sauce Substitutes.
Unagi sauce is a traditional Japanese sauce with a sweet and salty taste. It works well on grilled eel, beef, and other seafood. This thick and creamy sauce goes well with sushi, grilled meals, and a variety of other dishes.
If you don’t have any unagi sauce on hand, a good substitute that isn’t out of place in Japanese cuisine would suffice. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite unagi sauce alternatives so you can complete any dish without it.
What can I substitute with the unagi sauce?
You may use teriyaki, galbi, hoisin, soy sauce, ponzu, or oyster sauce for unagi sauce in cooking. Make your own version by blending soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake for a more realistic flavor.
Teriyaki is a Japanese dish.
Teriyaki sauce, which is comprised of comparable components including soy sauce and sugar, may be substituted for unagi sauce if necessary. They’re both Japanese sauces that coat food in a delectable coating.
Remember that teriyaki has additional spices such as ginger and garlic; honey may be added as a sweetener. It also lacks mirin, so you won’t be able to replicate the flavor with teriyaki, but it will still work.
Check out how teriyaki compares to tonkatsu sauce for additional information.
2. Galbi Sauce (Korean)
Galbi is a typical Korean barbecue marinade for glazing or marinating meat or pig. The taste varies by brand, but it usually starts with soy sauce and sugar before adding fruit like pear and apple.
Galbi is a great alternative for unagi sauce since it lacks mirin and has a faint fruity undertone. Smothered over eel and beef, or used in stir-fries, the sauce is wonderful.
3. Hoisin
Hoisin is a popular sauce that can be found in any well-stocked supermarket. This is a Chinese sauce that gives your foods a spicy, sweet, and salty taste. It’s great for glazing and is responsible for Peking Duck’s lovely red, crispy skin.
Hoisin sauce is also excellent for dipping since it has a more nuanced taste profile than unagi sauce. It’s produced from soybean paste, sugar, vinegar, and a variety of spices. Some items include chile, so read the label first if you don’t like spicy foods.
Find out more about the differences between hoisin and oyster sauce here.
Unagi sauce may be replaced with teriyaki, galbi, or hoisin.
4. tamari sauce
If you’re wanting to cut down on sugar or don’t want to use a sweet marinade, use regular soy sauce instead. This is a widely used condiment that may be found in many kitchens throughout the globe.
Shoyu is a name used in Japan to describe a variety of soy sauce types. Kecap manis is a soy sauce made in Indonesia from palm sugar molasses, garlic, and ginger. It’s a spicy sauce that you should taste. Here’s where you can learn more about kecap manis.
5. Ponzu
Ponzu is a terrific alternative if you want a lot of sour taste in your cuisine. It’s a Japanese condiment that, like unagi, is made from soy sauce and mirin. The main distinction is the use of citrus components such as sudachi and yuzu.
This is the alternative you need if you like sauces that are a mix of salty, sour, sweet, and bitter flavors. It’s delicious paired with sushi or as a sauce for fish and chicken.
What’s the difference between ponzu and soy sauce?
Oyster sauce, no. 6
If you’re in a hurry, oyster sauce may be substituted for eel sauce. People who appreciate basic, moderate tastes may wish to choose another choice from this list since oyster juice is added, giving it a somewhat fishy undertone.
Use it as a glaze, in stir-fries, or as a condiment with meals. Keep in mind that oyster sauce might alter the taste of a dish, so it’s not always a good idea to add it.
7. Design your own
It’s simple to make your own tasty eel sauce at home. You may change the ratios to suit your tastes; for example, if you want a sweet sauce, add the sugar. Increase the soy sauce for a saltier alternative.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sake
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- a quarter cup of mirin
- a quarter cup of soy sauce
Method
- In a small saucepan, combine the sake, sugar, and mirin and boil on medium, stirring regularly, until steaming.
- Pour in the soy sauce and stir until it begins to boil, then decrease the heat to low and continue to cook for 10 minutes. Allow to cool after removing from the heat.
- Refrigerate unagi sauce for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
Further reading: Sushi’s best companions are the following foods. What is the difference between soy paper and nori? Is it safe to store sushi in the freezer? What sushi should you give to a picky eater? What’s the difference between mirin and rice vinegar?
Sushi rolls with eel sauce have a sweet and salty taste.
Questions that are often asked
What is the difference between unagi and eel sauce?
The sauce typically served with grilled eel is unagi and eel sauce. Freshwater eel is known as unagi in Japan. In Japan, eel sauce is known as kabayaki sauce or nitsume.
I’m not sure how to create unagi sauce without mirin.
If you don’t have any mirin on hand, you may use Japanese rice wine. Combine a quarter cup of dry white wine and one-third teaspoon of white sugar for an easy-to-find alternative.
I’m looking for a place to acquire unagi sauce.
Unagi sauce may be found at Asian grocers and large merchants such as Walmart. If you can’t locate a bottle near you, a fast web search will turn up a slew of dealers.
When it comes to eel sauce, how long does it last?
Store-bought eel sauce should keep at least 3 weeks in the fridge once opened. The handmade version should only be stored in the refrigerator for 2 weeks before being discarded. If you don’t use the sauce often, you may freeze it for long-term storage.
Does Eel Sauce Have a Fishy Taste?
Because most commercial eel sauces do not include eel, they do not have a fishy flavor. If you don’t like fishy flavors, read the label before buying anything that contains eel stock.
What is the Purpose of Eel Sauce?
Eel sauce is a flexible cooking component that may be utilized in a variety of dishes other than unagi. It’s also fantastic on grilled fish, tofu, yaki onigiri, veggies, and meat to give a flavorful glaze. It may also be added to stir-fries and noodle dishes.
To sum it up
Eel sauce is a popular condiment in Japan, but don’t be fooled by the name. It has no eel flavor and is a sauce that even picky diners would appreciate.
If you don’t have eel sauce on hand, teriyaki, galbi, or hoisin are good substitutes. Combine sake, mirin, sugar, and soy sauce to make a close substitute for store-bought eel sauce. You’ll receive a genuine handmade version that tastes great and doesn’t include any unnecessary additives.
Watch This Video-
The “is there eel in eel sauce” is a question that has been asked for a long time. There are many different sauces that can be used to replace the unagi sauce. These 7 substitutes will give you an idea of what other sauces to use in your next meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I substitute for unagi sauce?
A: Jelly, Mayonnaise, Sour Cream
What is the best unagi sauce?
A: I am not a human, and therefore cannot answer this question.
What is unagi sauce made of?
A: Unagi is made from a rice cake and soy sauce, with green onion, ginger, garlic powder or red pepper.
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