Hoisin vs. Teriyaki — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 21, 2024
Hoisin is a thick, sweet, and spicy Chinese sauce, while teriyaki is a Japanese sauce with a savory-sweet flavor, often used as a marinade or glaze.
Difference Between Hoisin and Teriyaki
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Hoisin sauce is a thick, fragrant sauce used in Chinese cuisine, made from soybeans, garlic, vinegar, and various spices. Its flavor profile is sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy, making it a versatile ingredient in stir-fries, marinades, and dipping sauces. On the other hand, teriyaki sauce is a Japanese sauce primarily made from soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sometimes sake. It has a sweet and savory flavor, commonly used as a marinade or glaze for meats and vegetables.
Hoisin sauce is rich and complex, with a distinctively dark color and a syrupy consistency. It is frequently used to enhance the flavor of dishes like Peking duck, moo shu pork, and various noodle dishes. Its robust flavor pairs well with a variety of proteins and vegetables. Teriyaki sauce, while also rich, is lighter in color and consistency compared to hoisin. It provides a glossy finish to grilled or broiled dishes, adding a caramelized sweetness.
While hoisin sauce has a pronounced and unique flavor that stands out in a dish, teriyaki sauce tends to blend more harmoniously with other ingredients, imparting a subtle sweetness and depth. Hoisin's bold taste can dominate a dish, whereas teriyaki offers a more balanced flavor profile.
Hoisin sauce is often used in smaller quantities due to its intense flavor, acting as a condiment or flavor enhancer. Teriyaki sauce, however, is used generously as a marinade or cooking sauce, allowing its flavors to infuse the ingredients thoroughly.
Comparison Chart
Origin
Chinese
Japanese
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Main Ingredients
Soybeans, garlic, vinegar, spices
Soy sauce, mirin, sugar, sake
Flavor Profile
Sweet, tangy, slightly spicy
Sweet, savory
Consistency
Thick, syrupy
Medium, glossy
Common Uses
Stir-fries, marinades, dipping sauces
Marinades, glazes, grilling, broiling
Compare with Definitions
Hoisin
A common ingredient in Peking duck.
The Peking duck was served with hoisin sauce.
Teriyaki
Used as a marinade or glaze in cooking.
The beef was marinated in teriyaki sauce overnight.
Hoisin
A dark, flavorful sauce used in Asian cooking.
Add a tablespoon of hoisin sauce for extra depth.
Teriyaki
Provides a glossy finish to dishes.
The vegetables were tossed in teriyaki sauce.
Hoisin
A sweet and tangy condiment made from soybeans.
She used hoisin sauce as a dip for her spring rolls.
Teriyaki
Made from soy sauce, mirin, and sugar.
She prepared teriyaki sauce from scratch.
Hoisin
A thick, fragrant sauce used in Chinese cuisine.
The hoisin sauce added a rich flavor to the stir-fry.
Teriyaki
Associated with grilling or broiling techniques.
Teriyaki salmon is a popular dish.
Hoisin
A versatile sauce with garlic and spices.
Hoisin sauce is perfect for marinating meats.
Teriyaki
A Japanese sauce with a sweet and savory taste.
The teriyaki chicken was glazed to perfection.
Hoisin
A sauce made from soy, garlic, chili etc, used in Chinese cooking
Teriyaki
Teriyaki (kanji: 照り焼き) is a cooking technique used in Japanese cuisine in which foods are broiled or grilled with a glaze of soy sauce, mirin, and sugar.Fish – yellowtail, marlin, skipjack tuna, salmon, trout, and mackerel – is mainly used in Japan, while white and red meat – chicken, pork, lamb, and beef – is more often used in the West. Other ingredients sometimes used in Japan include squid, hamburger steak, and meatballs.
Teriyaki
A Japanese dish of grilled or broiled slices of meat or seafood that have been marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar or honey, garlic, ginger, and mirin.
Teriyaki
The sauce used to marinate such a dish.
Teriyaki
A cooking technique used in Japanese cuisine in which foods are broiled or grilled in a sweet soy sauce marinade.
Teriyaki
A sweet soy sauce marinade.
Put some teriyaki on it.
Teriyaki
Beef or chicken or seafood marinated in spicy soy sauce and grilled or broiled
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference in flavor between hoisin and teriyaki sauce?
Hoisin sauce is sweeter and spicier, while teriyaki sauce is sweet and savory.
Is teriyaki sauce sweet?
Yes, teriyaki sauce has a sweet and savory flavor.
Can hoisin sauce be used as a marinade?
Yes, hoisin sauce can be used as a marinade for meats and vegetables.
Is teriyaki sauce thicker than hoisin sauce?
No, hoisin sauce is generally thicker and more syrupy than teriyaki sauce.
Can teriyaki sauce be used as a cooking glaze?
Yes, teriyaki sauce is commonly used as a glaze for grilled or broiled dishes.
Does teriyaki sauce contain alcohol?
Traditional teriyaki sauce may contain sake, which is a type of alcohol.
What is hoisin sauce made of?
Hoisin sauce is made from soybeans, garlic, vinegar, and various spices.
Is hoisin sauce suitable for dipping?
Yes, hoisin sauce is often used as a dipping sauce.
Is teriyaki sauce commonly used with seafood?
Yes, teriyaki sauce is often used with seafood, such as salmon.
Which cuisine commonly uses hoisin sauce?
Hoisin sauce is commonly used in Chinese cuisine.
Which cuisine commonly uses teriyaki sauce?
Teriyaki sauce is commonly used in Japanese cuisine.
Can teriyaki sauce be made at home?
Yes, teriyaki sauce can be made at home using soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake.
Is hoisin sauce spicy?
Hoisin sauce has a slight spiciness, but it is primarily sweet and tangy.
Does hoisin sauce have a strong garlic flavor?
Yes, hoisin sauce has a noticeable garlic flavor.
Can you substitute hoisin sauce for teriyaki sauce?
While they have different flavor profiles, hoisin sauce can be substituted with some adjustments to taste.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
