Last updated: January 2024
We all know that Filipino cuisine has a lot of Chinese infusion in most of our dishes and most of our food involves adding soy sauce.
Soy sauce probably holds a lot of importance in our every meal so I have decided to look for the best light soy sauce in the Philippines.
What is soy sauce?
Soy sauce is a salty, savory condiment that's made from fermented soy beans and wheat. It's used as a seasoning for foods like sushi, stir-fry, and noodle dishes.
Soy sauce has a strong flavor that can enhance the taste of food. It also has a number of health benefits, including reducing inflammation, improving heart health, and helping to regulate blood sugar levels.
Light soy sauce might not be very popular among Filipino households because we are more used to cooking with the regular salty soy sauce.
However light soy sauce offers you thinner consistency and a less salty taste.
On the other hand, light soy sauce does not necessarily mean that they are significantly lower in sodium unless stated by the brand.
Check out these tasty light soy sauces that you can easily find online and step up on your cooking passion!
Top 10 Light Soy Sauce in the Philippines to Add Flavour to Food
| Best Light Soy Sauce in Philippines to Add Flavour to Food | Best Price |
|---|---|
| Amoy Gold Label Light Soy Sauce | ₱175.00 |
| Lee Kum Kee Salt Reduced Light Seasoned Low Sodium Soy Sauce | ₱114.00 |
| Golden Boat Supreme Light Soy Sauce | ₱160.00 |
| HaiTian Haday Superior Light Soy Sauce | ₱170.00 |
| Haday Golden Label Light Soy Sauce | ₱145.00 |
| Hong Kong Master Reduced Salt Low Sodium Light Soy Sauce | ₱220.00 |
| Guan Ji Superior Light Soy Sauce | ₱185.00 |
| Pantai Light Soy Sauce | ₱130.00 |
| Silver Swan Chinese Lauriat Soy Sauce | ₱80.00 |
| Higashimaru Usukuchi Shoyu Light Soy Sauce | ₱399.00 |
1. Amoy Gold Label Light Soy Sauce
Amoy Gold Label Light Soy Sauce - Light Soy Sauce Philippines
Are you craving homemade Chinese food today?
Skip ordering online and use the Amoy Gold Label Light Soy Sauce for your very own Chinese dish.
With this light soy sauce, you can create tasty noodle dishes and even some dumplings to complete your meal.
The Amoy Gold Label Light Soy Sauce has undergone a natural fermentation process, so you are assured that every drop is true of the highest quality.
There are no added flavor enhancers too, the only thing that your tastebuds will enjoy are the fine and umami-filled soybean taste.
Is Amoy soy sauce good?
Yes, Amoy soy sauce is good. It's a popular brand in the Philippines.
Amoy soy sauce is made with high-quality ingredients and it has a rich flavor that most people enjoy. If you're looking for a good quality soy sauce to use in your cooking, Amoy is definitely worth trying!
Other Features:
- No added MSG
- No artificial flavors
- Used non-GMO soybeans
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2. Lee Kum Kee Salt Reduced Light Seasoned Low Sodium Soy Sauce
Lee Kum Kee Salt Reduced Light Seasoned Low Sodium Soy Sauce - Light Soy Sauce Philippines
For individuals with hypertensive and heart conditions, you can add the Lee Kum Kee Salt Reduced Light Seasoned Low Sodium Soy Sauce to your diet. This low sodium soy sauce offers you the same taste just like how a regular light soy sauce tastes like, but with very little sodium content.
You don’t need to worry much about your salt intake with the soy sauce, and you can still enjoy your meals every time! The soybeans were fermented naturally so they always come out fresh in every bottle of this soy sauce.
Is Lee Kum Kee soy sauce any good?
Yes, Lee Kum Kee soy sauce is definitely good! I grew up eating it in the Philippines and it was always my go-to condiment whenever we had rice. The thing that makes it so good is its intense umami flavor, which comes from the fermentation process. It's something that you definitely need to try if you haven't already!
Other Features:
- Made from non-GMO soy brands
- Naturally fermented
- No added MSG
- No preservatives
- Ideal for vegetarians and vegans
Get it now at:
3. Golden Boat Supreme Light Soy Sauce
Golden Boat Supreme Light Soy Sauce - Light Soy Sauce Philippines
Improve every dish that you make may it be stir-fried dishes, soups, and even marinating with the Golden Boat Supreme Light Soy Sauce. This naturally brewed soy sauce will never let you down in every meal that you make for your family.
It is very rich in flavor, but it gives a light and refreshing feeling to the tastebuds. It doesn’t taste too salty, just perfect for dipping your favorite fried dishes, even without adding any calamansi! The tantalizing deep amber color and flavorful aroma will always make you add this soy sauce to every dish that you wish to make.
Other Features:
- Naturally fermented soy beans
- Less salty in flavor
Get it now at:
4. HaiTian Haday Superior Light Soy Sauce
HaiTian Haday Superior Light Soy Sauce - Light Soy Sauce Philippines
Filipinos truly love dipping sauces, especially soy sauce. But sometimes, the regular soy sauce that we use comes out super salty. If you want a light dipping sauce that can also be used as marinades and seasoning your dishes, check out the HaiTian Haday Superior Light Soy Sauce.
It has a well-balanced taste with a combination of sweet and salty notes to enhance the flavor of every food that you incorporate this soy sauce into. Enjoy every meal with your family with the rich flavors of this light soy sauce.
Other Features:
- Contains preservatives and flavor enhances
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5. Haday Golden Label Light Soy Sauce
Haday Golden Label Light Soy Sauce - Light Soy Sauce Philippines
Sushi lovers, get the Haday Golden Label Light Soy Sauce for your sushi cravings today! This very light yet rich soy sauce will never fail to amaze your tastebuds. It is also great for marinating any kinds of meat, and you can even use this soy sauce for your adobo.
Other Features:
- With flavor enhancers
- May contain allergens
- 24 months of shelf life
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6. Hong Kong Master Reduced Salt Low Sodium Light Soy Sauce
Hong Kong Master Reduced Salt Low Sodium Light Soy Sauce - Light Soy Sauce Philippines
You would definitely want more of the Hong Kong Master Reduced Salt Low Sodium Light Soy Sauce. The reason behind it is that you can enjoy guilt-free dipping without worrying much about your hypertension that can be triggered by consuming regular soy sauce.
This light soy sauce has 28% less sodium than regular ones that you find in the market. It just comes a little more expensive than the regular soy sauce brands, but it’s truly worth it for your health.
Other Features:
- Perfect for dipping
- 28% less sodium
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7. Guan Ji Superior Light Soy Sauce
Guan Ji Superior Light Soy Sauce - Light Soy Sauce Philippines
Your entire family will love the Guan Ji Superior Light Soy Sauce because of its smooth and light flavor that is not overpowering, unlike your regular soy sauce. Dip in your favorite dumplings on this tasty sauce.
Your pancit and adobo will also be more delicious once you add this unique-tasting soy sauce to your dish. All of your family members will surely be asking for more rice! This should be a cooking staple in every Filipino household.
Other Features:
- High nutritional content
- Fermentation process not specified
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8. Pantai Light Soy Sauce
Pantai Light Soy Sauce - Light Soy Sauce Philippines
Give oriental dishes that authentic taste using this Pantai Light Soy Sauce. This light soy sauce contains soy beans and wheat that both work together to create that fresh and light taste on every dish that you make.
It is also great for dipping dumplings and sushi because of the umami flavor that it has. Just take note that there is added MSG on this product, but that does not necessarily mean that this soy sauce is bad for your health.
There are no scientific claims that consuming a small amount of msg will harm your body, so don’t worry folks!
Other Features:
- Suitable for dipping, seasoning, marinating or cooking sauce
- Has a light aroma
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9. Silver Swan Chinese Lauriat Soy Sauce
Silver Swan Chinese Lauriat Soy Sauce - Light Soy Sauce Philippines
Silver Swan is one of the most popular soy sauce brands in the Philippines, but you might have not heard that they also have a Chinese Lauriat Soy Sauce!
This local brand offers you with the full-bodied yet mellow mouthfeel.
The Silver Swan Chinese Lauriat Soy Sauce is mainly used by Filipino and Chinese chefs in most Filipino-Chinese recipe infusions to bring out the best in both cuisines.
This light soy sauce has just the right balance of sweetness and saltiness, just enough to uplift any dish that you make in your own kitchen.
Other Features:
- Premium-grade soy sauce
- Made from wheat and soy beans
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10. Higashimaru Usukuchi Shoyu Light Soy Sauce
The most expensive on the list that we have today is the Higashimaru Usukuchi Shoyu Light Soy Sauce. This light soy sauce came all the way from Japan and it is considered a special grade soy sauce, hence the price.
It comes with a standard flavor of light and fresh all from the fully-aged soybeans. This soy sauce is created without any seasonings, preservatives, colorings, and sweeteners. You can definitely use this in a wide array of cuisines, especially if you’re an aspiring chef!
Other Features:
- Made without artificial ingredients
- Comes in a lighter color than its counterparts
- With dark and smokey flavor
Get it now at:
Guide to Soy Sauce in Philippines
What is the difference between light and dark soy sauce?
You might still be confused about the difference between light and dark soy sauce, and here’s a quick guide for you to learn about each product:
Light soy sauce: Light soysauce is thinner in viscosity and lighter in flavor. It is still salty just like the regular soy sauce, but it is more commonly used for dipping and seasoning various Asian dishes.
Dark soy sauce: Just like what the name implies, dark soy sauce gives you a bolder flavor and a darker color. On the other hand, darker doesn’t mean that it is saltier but it is actually less salty than a regular soy sauce. It is mostly used for adding caramel and dark look to various cuisines but since this soy sauce has undergone a longer fermentation process, it comes out a little sweeter in flavor.
Is shoyu and Chinese soysauce same?
Shoyu and Chinese soy sauce are similar but not exactly the same. Both are soy sauce products, made by fermenting soybeans with salt and water.
However, shoyu is a Japanese style soy sauce that is made with a combination of soybeans and wheat, while Chinese soy sauce is generally made from just soybeans.
Shoyu has a smoother, milder flavor, while Chinese soy sauce has a more intense, salty taste.
Nonetheless, the manufacturing processes for each sauce differ slightly, thus giving them their own unique flavors and qualities.
What can I substitute for light soy sauce?
When a recipe calls for light soy sauce, it can easily be substituted.
You can use a different type of soy sauce, such as dark or regular soy sauce. To still give a dish the desired flavor of a light soy sauce, simply reduce the salt and add some sugar, which helps to balance out the flavors.
Alternatively, you can also use tamari sauce, which also contains soy beans as its main ingredient, but is not as salty as soy sauce.
If you want to lighten up the flavor and reduce the sodium content of your dish, you can use a combination of rice vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. Another interesting alternative is coconut aminos, which is a salty sauce made from fermented coconut sap and sea salt.
How Is Soy Sauce Made and Is It Bad for You?
Soy sauce is a condiment that is commonly used in Asian cuisine to add flavor to dishes. It is made from soybeans, wheat, salt, and water, and goes through a fermentation process to develop its distinct flavor. Here's how soy sauce is made:
- Steeping: Soybeans and wheat are soaked in water for several hours to soften them.
- Cooking: The soaked soybeans and wheat are cooked to create a mash.
- Fermentation: Koji, a type of fungus, is added to the mash, which is then left to ferment for several days to several months.
- Brining: The fermented mash is mixed with salt water and left to mature for several more months.
- Pressing: The mixture is then pressed to extract the liquid, which is soy sauce.
Soy sauce is not necessarily bad for you, but it is high in sodium, which can be harmful to people with high blood pressure or heart disease.
Moreover some soy sauce brands may contain added sugar or preservatives, which can also be harmful in excess. It's important to use soy sauce in moderation and choose brands that have lower sodium and fewer additives. Some brands also offer low-sodium or reduced-sodium options.
Light Soy Sauce Philippines
There are not a lot of local light soy sauce brands that you can find in the Philippines, and the list that we have above is usually imported. They might come at a hefty price, but they would definitely increase the quality of every dish that you need to cook with soy sauce.
Since we love dipping our dishes into soy sauce, give your family a different soy sauce and they would definitely love it! There is no need for you to add any vinegar or calamansi when dipping your favorite fried dishes on this type of soysauce, so try one and see the difference.
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