Japanese shoyu (regular soy sauce)Easy to find
For each 1 tbsp Korean soy sauce: 1 tbsp
The closest widely sold swap. It is a touch less sweet, so add a tiny pinch of sugar if the dish tastes sharp.
▼ sweeter
Ingredient guide
Soy sauce 간장
Korean soy sauce (ganjang) is the salty, savory base of marinades, soups and dipping sauces. Two kinds matter: all-purpose soy sauce (jin-ganjang), which is what most recipes mean, and a thinner, darker, much saltier soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang) used to season soups.
Taste
Salty and deeply savory with a little sweetness. The soup type is saltier and lighter in color.
What to look for
For everyday cooking, a bottle labeled Korean soy sauce (진간장) or any naturally brewed soy sauce. Japanese shoyu is the most widely sold stand-in and works well.
Storing it
Keep it in a cool cupboard. Refrigerating after opening keeps the flavor for many months.
How to find Soy sauce, anywhere
Works in any country — look for these names, in these kinds of shops.
Names to look for
- Korean soy sauce
- ganjang (간장)
- jin ganjang (진간장)
- soup soy sauce (국간장)
- soy sauce
Show this at the shop간장
Where to look
- Any supermarket carries soy sauce; Korean grocery stores have the Korean kinds
- Japanese shoyu from any Asian aisle works as a stand-in
- Online
Watch out for
- Most recipes mean regular, all-purpose soy sauce. Soup soy sauce is lighter and saltier, so use less of it.
- A label that says naturally brewed usually means a rounder flavor.
Can't find Soy sauce? Use this instead
Honest swaps, with amounts per unit of the original and how the dish will change.
Chinese light soy sauceEasy to find
For each 1 tbsp Korean soy sauce: about 2½ tsp, then taste
Usually saltier and thinner, so start with a little less and add the rest only if the dish needs it.
▲ saltier
Tamari (gluten-free)Easy to find
For each 1 tbsp Korean soy sauce: 1 tbsp
Slightly richer and rounder. A good choice if you avoid wheat — check that the label says gluten-free.
▲ richer
Coconut aminosSome stores
For each 1 tbsp Korean soy sauce: 1 tbsp plus a pinch of salt
Noticeably sweeter and milder. The pinch of salt makes up for the lower saltiness.
▲ sweeter▼ saltier
Where to buy it near you
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