Chinese Dipping Sauce is a Sauce I first encountered with Chinese Dumplings and later with Sushi. It is an extremely easy dipping sauce to put together and rather simple, yet very tasty, not just with Dumplings.
There are also a variety of other ingredients that can go in, depending on your preference.
Chinese Dipping Sauce Ingredients
The Base Sauce is equal amounts of Soy Sauce & Rice Vinegar or at 2:1 Soy Sauce and Rice Vinegar, depending on how acidic you like the dipping sauce. Usually with a small amount of Sesame Oil.
Although even here you can switch it up and use a variety of Soy Sauces including Mushroom and Dark Soy Sauce as well as switching the Rice Vinegar for Black Vinegar.
The important thing is that no matter what other ingredients you choose to put in. The base is equal amounts of Soy Sauce & Vinegar or a 2:1 ratio, whichever you prefer.
Soy Sauce
Use regular or light Soy Sauce. Other variations of Soy Sauce can be used too. Such as Dark Soy Sauce, Black Bean Soy Sauce, or Mushroom Soy Sauce.
It’s important to get a good quality Soy Sauce such as Yamaroku, Kikkoman, or Lee Kum Kee.
Rice Vinegar
Use Rice Vinegar or Black Vinegar for the acidity in the sauce. Usually added in equal amounts to the Soy Sauce.
Heat
Add Heat through the use of Wasabi, Chili Oil, Chinese Chilli Sauce, Hot Horseradish, Chili Flakes, or Sriracha.
Oil
Add a small amount of Sesame Oil to the dipping sauce for added flavor and aroma. Peanut Oil or Chili Oil can be used. The Chili Oil is a common one added and is what I use to add a bit of Oil and Heat along with Sesame Oil.
Sugar
Add Mirin, which is a Chinese Sweet Wine, or plain white or brown sugar. This really assists in balancing the flavors.
Chinese Dipping Sauce Add Ins
Add in minced Garlic or Garlic Powder, minced Ginger or Ginger Powder, Green Onions or Onion Powder, Shallots, White Pepper, Chinese Chives. Dehydrated Onions & Garlic Flakes are very nice too.
Recipes with Chinese Dipping Sauce
Chinese Dumplings
As a dipping Sauce for Chinese Dumplings or Gyoza Dumplings.
Hoisin Noodles
The sauce for Hoisin Noodles is this Chinese Dipping Sauce with 3 Tbl of Hoisin Sauce added in with 1 tsp of Dehydrated Onion & Garlic Flakes each.
Wonton Soup
A small amount of Chinese Dipping sauce is added to the bowl for Wonton Soup. Before adding the Wontons, Vegetables, and Broth.
Other uses may include the below.
- Sushi
- Sautéed Bok Choy
- Grilled Meats
- Seafood
- Spring Rolls
- Add flavors to soups
- Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)
- Chow Mein Sauce with the Vinegar omitted, reduced, or replaced with Sake
- Glazing Sauce for meats or as a meat marinade with cornstarch added
- Chinese Fried Wings
Equipment
- 1 Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 Tbl Soy Sauce - Regular, Light, Dark, or Mushroom
- 2 Tbl Rice Vinegar - Or Black Vinegar
- 1/2 tsp Sesame Oil - Or Peanut Oil
- 1/2 tsp Mirin or Sugar - Or more for Sweeter
- 1/4 tsp Chili Oil - Or more, optionally use Wasabi, Sriracha
- 1 Stalk Green Onion or Chives - Optional Chopped
- 1 Clove Garlic - Optional, minced
- 1/4 tsp Ginger - Optional, minced
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients into a bowl and mix well.