Soy Sauce is one of the most loved condiments all over the world due to its unique umami flavor. It is an ingredient in stir-fries, marinades, soups, dipping sauces, and countless more recipes.
Due to numerous recipes, several brands of soy sauce have emerged that are globally recognized and stand out for their amazing brewing techniques, quality ingredients, and authentic soy sauce’s authentic taste. All of these brands are different by region, which reflects various culinary traditions and preferences.
This article will focus on the world’s ten most popular soy sauce brands and why they are so unique.
- Established: 1996
- Location: Sichuan, China
- Featured products: Brewed healthy soy sauce, various condiments, caramel color
- Certificates: HACCP, BSCI, BRC, HALAL, etc.
- Main markets: Southeast Asia, Europe, and Central Asia
In China, QianheFood is among the most popular names in the soy sauce industry. As a product of Sichuan Province, the company has utilized traditional brewing methods along with modern technological innovations to come up with unique products. The company has managed to earn a mark on both domestic and international fronts since it was founded in 1966 due to its rapid growth.
Among its many products, the most popular are naturally brewed soy sauce, soy sauces, and food colorings. Given Qianhe’s pledge to eliminate artificial flavors in his products, his brand is favored among health advocate consumers.
Their philosophy is distinguished by its emphasis on high-quality standards and innovations, supplemented by HACCP and HALAL certifications. The span of Qianhe’s operations across Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Europe tells us about Qianhe’s global perspective.
Pear River Bridge Overview
- Established: 1958
- Location: Guangdong, China
- Featured products: Superior Light Soy Sauce, Mushroom Soy Sauce, Dark Soy Sauce
- Certificates: ISO9001, HACCP, HALAL, BRC
- Main markets: Asia, North America, Europe
Pear River Bridge is a renowned brand of soy sauce from Guangdong, China. It is especially popular in households as well as in professional kitchens and restaurants. Pearl River Bridge has become a prominent brand known for its premium sauces.
The brand has been established since 1958 and has earned a reputation for consistent quality. Its claim to fame internationally is its traditional Chinese flavors, all the while ensuring modern food safety protocols are met.
Through maintaining continual R&D, Pearl River Bridge remains at its best. Alongside strict international standards, they are a trusted partner for chefs around the world.
Lee Kum Kee Overview
- Established: 1888
- Location: Hong Kong, China
- Featured products: Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce, Hoisin Sauce
- Certificates: ISO22000, BRC, HALAL, KOSHER
- Main Markets: Over 100 countries globally
Smithsonian Hong Kong’s soy sauce was founded by Lee Kum Kee in 1888. Lee Kum Sheung founded this brand in Guangdong, which later moved to Hong Kong.
Headquartered in Hong Kong, the brand now offers over 300 types of Chinese sauces and is known for maintaining authenticity while embracing global innovation, with its facilities spanning across Hong Kong, Malaysia, and the U.S.
Social responsibility as a vision focuses on community and cross-cultural sharing as formulated by its funded Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness at Harvard.
Yamasa Overview
- Established: 1645
- Location: Chiba, Japan
- Featured products: Traditional brewed soy sauce
- Certificates: FSSC 22000, ISO9001
- Main Markets: Japan, North America, Europe
Yamasa is one of the oldest soy sauce producers in Japan, with a brewing history of almost 400 years. Founded in 1645, it has remained true to time-honoured brewing methods.
With the broadening spectrum of international marketing, the brand is seen as a premium image front, while their meticulously crafted muso enabled soy sauce enables customers to view it as an iconic product crafted with exquisite care. Yamasa uses natural ingredients with long processing periods to achieve a rich and complex taste that enhances both classical and contemporary cuisines.
Kikkoman Company Overview
- Establishment: 1917
- Located: Noda City, Japan
- Featured products: Naturally brewed soy sauce, low-sodium soy sauce
- Certificates: ISO9001, FSSC22000, HALAL
- Main markets: Japan, United States, Europe, worldwide
Kikkoman is arguably the most globally recognized soy sauce brand, synonymous with naturally brewed soy sauces and their distinctive glass packaging.
Initially founded in Noda City in 1917, Kikkoman has transformed into a global corporation with manufacturing plants located in Japan, the US, Europe, and Asia.
It aims to promote intercultural culinary interactions while providing authentic Japanese flavor to kitchens around the world. Its innovation and quality have fortified Kikkoman’s leadership position in the industry.
Healthy Boy Company Overview
- Established: 1947
- Location: Thailand
- Featured products: Sweet soy sauce, thin soy sauce, soy bean paste
- Certificates: HALAL, GMP, HACCP
- Primary Markets: Southeast Asia, Middle East, Europe
Healthy Boy, owned by Yan Wal Yun, holds the title of the oldest soy sauce brand in Thailand and is well-recognized in Thai cuisine.
Since 1947, it has built a strong domestic and international presence. The brand’s adherence to traditional Thai taste has garnered a loyal customer base.
Also famous among halal consumers, Healthy Boy was certified by Thailand’s Islamic Council. The company is focused on providing Thai cuisine products to be cooked all over the world.
Sempio Overview
- Established: 1946
- Location: South Korea
- Featured products: Soy sauce, gochujang, doenjang
- Certificates: ISO9001, HACCP, HALAL
- Main markets: South Korea, the US, Europe, and Asia
Sempio is the oldest and most esteemed Korean brand of soy sauces, longstanding in history of Korean cuisine.
Having founded in 1946, Sempio started to gain popularity right away and became a common feature in the kitchens and restaurants.
The company focuses on Korean culinary traditions while constantly innovating. Their economic contribution to the world is immense as the company has developed a wide range of Korean cuisine products.
Datu Puti Overview
- Founded: 1975
- Location: Philippines
- Featured products: Soy sauce, vinegar, marinades
- Certificates: ISO9001, HALAL
- Main Markets: Philippines, US, Middle East
Datu Puti is NutriAsia’s flagship brand and is popular because of its soy sauces and condiments, noted for their strong and rich taste.
It is largely credited as a soy sauce household name, which started out as a vinegar brand. Mukhasim’s campaign in the 1980s dramatically increased the popularity of the brand.
Datu Puti aims to preserve the unchanging quality of Filipino flavors while making it one of the pantry must-haves for Filipinos globally.
Nam Duong Overview
- Established: 1951
- Location: Vietnam
- Featured products: Soy sauce, chili sauce, hoisin sauce
- Certificates: HACCP and HALAL certified
- Main markets: Vietnam, Southeast Asia, expanding globally
As one of the leading brands in Vietnam, Duong is well known for creating sauces that reflect the distinct essence of Vietnamese cuisine.
The company was formed in 1951 and has maintained infrastructure modernization while retaining its branding’s ‘local’ feel.
It aims to put Vietnamese cuisine on the world map while striving to maintain the quality and authenticity of the flavor.
ABC Overview
- Established: 1975
- Location: Indonesia
- Featured products: Sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), chili sauce, syrup
- Certificates: ISO22000 and HALAL certified
- Main markets: Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Middle Eastern countries
It’s also a popular soy sauce brand with rich, sweet kecap manis sauce and ranked number 1 in Indonesia. ABC has grown very rapidly since its inception in 1975 and actively promotes its products worldwide through distribution.
The strength of the brand is centered on meeting the needs of customers requiring authentic Indonesian products, making ABC Andalan products widely used for Indonesian cuisine at home and abroad.
Wrapping Up
No matter where they came from or when they were first produced, each brand accompanies its user, shares a unique custom forged with decades-old tradition, regional pride, healthier brewing for conscious consumers, and global brand immersion.
These ten soy sauce brands not only produce internationally popular condiments, but also become cultural representatives, bridging different culinary customs around the world while adding depth to people’s diets with excellent quality.
