What is the best hoisin sauce, according to chefs?

MyTastr’s top pick is Koon Chun Hoisin Sauce, chosen by America’s Test Kitchen. An ATK supermarket standout: “a nice balance of sweet, salt, and fermented funkiness,” plum-y with a lightly charred smokiness. More paste than sauce — the one for char siu and glazes.

What are the other top picks for hoisin sauce?

No. 2 is Kikkoman Hoisin Sauce, chosen by America’s Test Kitchen; Sporked. No. 3 is Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce, chosen by Bon Appétit test kitchen.

How does MyTastr choose these picks?

Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot.

Best hoisin sauce, according to chefs

Three picks, each tied to a named taster and a public source — from America’s Test Kitchen, Andrea Nguyen and Bon Appétit test kitchen. Recommendations come from americastestkitchen.com, vietworldkitchen.com, sporked.com and bonappetit.com.

International Pantry · The ranking

1
Top pick
Koon Chun Hoisin Sauce
Chosen by
- America’s Test KitchenVinegar guide
Also chosen by
- Andrea Nguyen · Author, Vietnamese Food Any Day source ↗
An ATK supermarket standout: “a nice balance of sweet, salt, and fermented funkiness,” plum-y with a lightly charred smokiness. More paste than sauce — the one for char siu and glazes.
Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: americastestkitchen.com ↗
2
Kikkoman Hoisin Sauce
Chosen by
- America’s Test KitchenVinegar guide
- Sporked
Also chosen by
- Sporked source ↗
ATK’s other supermarket standout, “bright and tangy” with “the right balance of sweet and savory.” Sporked’s top score: “sensationally balanced… thick but still pourable.”
Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: americastestkitchen.com ↗
3
Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce
Chosen by
- Bon Appétit test kitchen
Also chosen by
- Andrea Nguyen · Author, Vietnamese Food Any Day source ↗
- Sporked source ↗
The hoisin BA keeps in its walk-in: “That’s our trusted hoisin.” Sporked calls it the best for dipping and the brand many Vietnamese restaurants pour.
Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: bonappetit.com ↗

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Questions, answered

What is the best hoisin sauce, according to chefs?: MyTastr’s top pick is Koon Chun Hoisin Sauce, chosen by America’s Test Kitchen. An ATK supermarket standout: “a nice balance of sweet, salt, and fermented funkiness,” plum-y with a lightly charred smokiness. More paste than sauce — the one for char siu and glazes. Source: americastestkitchen.com ↗
What are the other top picks for hoisin sauce?: No. 2 is Kikkoman Hoisin Sauce, chosen by America’s Test Kitchen; Sporked. No. 3 is Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce, chosen by Bon Appétit test kitchen. Each card above links to the original source.
How does MyTastr choose these picks?: Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot. Read how we pick.

The tasters behind this ranking

More international pantry

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