Top Dark Soy Sauce Brands: Elevate Your Flavor Game!

Dark soy sauce, with its rich, full-bodied flavor and deep color, is a staple in many kitchens around the world, enhancing both taste and presentation of numerous dishes. The right brand can make a significant difference, offering unique tastes that range from subtly sweet to intensely salty. Selecting the best brand often depends on personal preference and the specific flavor profile desired for your culinary creations. Below, we've curated a list of some top choices for dark soy sauce to explore and enhance your cooking adventures.

Illustration of dark soy sauce

Best brands of dark soy sauce in 2025

Kikkoman

Kikkoman, a renowned brand with a 350-year history, has recently launched its first-ever dark soy sauce, specifically crafted for the Indian market after four years of research and development. This new product, made using proprietary technology, maintains the natural brewing process without any chemicals or artificial seasonings, aligning with Kikkoman's commitment to quality. In fiscal year 2022, Kikkoman generated nearly 144 billion Japanese yen in overseas net sales, highlighting its global market presence. The company holds a significant market share, including a 55% share in the U.S. home-use soy sauce market and a dominant 60% share in Japan's premium soy sauce market. Kikkoman's dark soy sauce is produced in India as part of the 'Make In India' initiative, catering to the diverse food culture of the region. For more details, you can read the full article on their website: Kikkoman launches its first-ever dark soy sauce specially crafted for India.

Pearl River Bridge

Pearl River Bridge is a renowned brand and a leading producer of high-quality dark soy sauce, with a history spanning over 60 years. The company's export volume of soy sauce accounted for 67.82% of China's total soy sauce exports to countries like the UK, Canada, and the US in 2011, according to China Customs statistics. Their dark soy sauce, such as the Mushroom Flavored Superior Dark Soy Sauce, undergoes a rigorous 100-day fermentation process, combining selected soy beans with unique sunshine, water, and air from Southern China. This process ensures a rich, distinctive fragrance and aroma. The brand has also obtained multiple international food safety and quality certifications, including HACCP, BRC, and FDA approvals.

Lee Kum Kee

Lee Kum Kee is a renowned brand and one of the best producers of dark soy sauce, utilizing traditional brewing methods that date back to 1888. Their dark soy sauce is made from non-GMO soybeans and is free from preservatives, adding a rich, umami flavor and deep color to various dishes. The fermentation process, which can last up to 6 months, ensures a high-quality and balanced broth. Lee Kum Kee's commitment to combining traditional techniques with modern machinery is evident in their large-scale production facilities, such as the 2,000-acre plant in Xinhau, China. The brand's products are widely recognized for their authenticity and flavor, making them a staple in many Asian kitchens.

Healthy Boy

Healthy Boy brand is renowned for producing some of the best dark soy sauces in Thailand, offering various formulas to cater to regional tastes. Their dark soy sauce, often referred to as "black soy sauce," is characterized by its dark, rich brown color and a deeper, molasses-like flavor, with some formulas containing up to 75% molasses. This sauce is widely used in Thai recipes, such as Pad Korat and Khao Mun Gai, and is known for its high quality and lack of preservatives. Healthy Boy's dark soy sauce is a staple in many Thai dishes, adding both color and a unique flavor profile. The brand's versatility and adherence to traditional fermentation methods make it a favorite among chefs and home cooks. For more information about their dark soy sauce offerings, visit their product page.

Yamasa

Yamasa is renowned as one of the best producers of dark soy sauce, with a rich history spanning over 370 years. The company, which began modernizing its production in 1893 under Gihei Hamaguchi Goto, has seen its output expand significantly, with a thirty-fold increase by 1928. Yamasa's dark soy sauce is carefully brewed to boast a rich aroma, bright colors, and a rich taste, containing ingredients like soybeans, wheat, and salt. The company's commitment to quality was recognized in 1895 when it was selected as Kanto's first purveyor to the Imperial Household Ministry. Today, Yamasa continues to contribute to both the soy sauce and bio-technology industries through its long-standing research center. For those interested in exploring their offerings, you can purchase Yamasa Dark Soy Sauce online.

Kimlan

Kimlan, a renowned soy sauce manufacturer based in Taiwan since 1936, is highly regarded for its dark, richly flavored Chinese-style soy sauce. Known for its bold and savory quality, Kimlan's soy sauce stands out with a more pronounced alcohol aroma and a deeper flavor profile compared to Japanese-style shoyu. Although it may have a slightly acidic taste, Kimlan's naturally brewed soy sauce is a favorite among those seeking authentic, traditionally brewed products. Despite its availability being limited in big-name grocery stores, Kimlan's products can be found in international supermarkets and Asian markets. The brand's commitment to traditional brewing methods has earned it a loyal following. For more insight into popular soy sauce brands, explore the ranking on Tasting Table's list of popular soy sauce brands.

Wan Ja Shan

Wan Ja Shan is renowned for its premium aged soy sauce, particularly its dark soy sauce, which is crafted using a 70-year-old brewing technology. This method involves a lengthy fermentation process of over a year, resulting in a richer and sweeter flavor profile. The soy sauce is made from non-genetically modified soybeans, ensuring a high-quality and authentic taste. With a darker red color, it is ideal for adding both flavor and color to dishes. The fermentation process creates over 200 different flavor compounds, enhancing the overall taste experience.

Amoy

Amoy brand is renowned for its high-quality soy sauces, including its dark soy sauce, which is made in Hong Kong using Canadian non-GMO soybeans. Amoy's dark soy sauce is distinguished by its rich, sweeter flavor and less salty taste, often achieved through traditional aging processes or the addition of molasses or caramel color. Unlike some other brands, Amoy's light soy sauces may contain added flavor enhancers, but their dark soy sauces do not. This attention to detail and commitment to traditional methods have made Amoy a trusted name in the market. For those seeking an authentic and flavorful dark soy sauce, Amoy is a recommended choice. For more information, you can refer to the complete guide to soy sauces.

ABC

ABC brand, under the umbrella of Kraft Heinz, is a leading producer of dark soy sauce, particularly in the Indonesian market. Established in 1975, ABC has expanded its product line to include various condiments, with its sweet soy sauce and dark soy sauce variants dominating the market share in the 1980s. As one of the largest Heinz businesses in Asia, ABC employs 3000 employees and operates three production facilities, ensuring widespread distribution and high-quality products. The brand's dark soy sauce is known for its rich and intense flavor, often used in stews, marinades, and other recipes requiring a stronger flavor profile. With its products exported to numerous countries, ABC continues to be a significant player in the global soy sauce market.

Kwong Hung Seng

Kwong Hung Seng is a highly regarded brand for dark soy sauce, known for its rich, molasses-like flavor and deep brown color. This brand is often recommended for its high quality and consistency, making it a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike. The dark soy sauce from Kwong Hung Seng is characterized by its thick, syrupy texture and lower sodium content compared to regular soy sauce. It is commonly used in small amounts to add color and depth to dishes, particularly in Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisine. The brand's attention to detail and traditional production methods ensure a mature, well-rounded flavor profile.