What is Shacha Sauce – A Savory Chinese Condiment

Let's talk about [What is Shacha Sauce] today. This treasure sauce is savory, slightly spicy, and full of the aroma of peanuts. Why has it become the soul of Shacha Noodles and the top pick for hot pot dipping sauces?

What kind of seasoning is Shacha Sauce?

Shacha Sauce is a characteristic compound seasoning in Fujian, Guangdong, Taiwan and other places in China. It is made from seafood such as dried shrimps and dried fish, paired with nuts such as peanuts and sesame seeds, and spices such as garlic paste and shallots. It is savory, slightly spicy and has rich flavors. It is often used in Shacha Noodles, hot pot dipping sauces, stir-fried dishes, etc., and is a flavorful highlight in Chinese cuisine.

The origin and evolution of Shacha Sauce

The history of Shacha Sauce can be traced back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Immigrants from Fujian and Guangdong brought the Satay Sauce from Southeast Asia back to China.

The original Satay Sauce is mainly spicy and sweet. However, as the people in Fujian and Guangdong prefer a lighter taste, overseas Chinese adjusted its recipe: reducing the spiciness, adding more seafood elements (such as dried shrimps and dried fish), and integrating Chinese spices (such as Five Spice Powder and Sichuan galangal).

The name "Shacha" is transliterated from the Minnan dialect for "Satay", and at the same time combines the association of the tea-drinking culture.

What does Shacha Sauce taste like?

When you open a bottle of Shacha Sauce, the first thing that hits your nose is the burnt aroma of fried peanuts and white sesame seeds. Then comes the oceanic aroma brought by dried shrimps and fish sauce. Finally, there is the pungent smell intertwined with garlic paste, onion and Sichuan galangal powder.

When it enters your mouth, the savory taste takes the lead in occupying your taste buds. Then the slightly sweet and spicy tastes gradually emerge, and a long aftertaste of Five Spice Powder remains in the finish.

There are flavor differences among Shacha Sauces of different brands:

Chaoshan King Shacha Sauce: It has a high content of peanut crumbs and a prominent savory taste, making it suitable for dipping.

Fujian Niutou Brand: With shallots added, it has a stronger sweet and spicy taste, making it suitable for making the soup base of Shacha Noodles.

Taiwan Lee Kum Kee: It has a large proportion of shrimp paste and rich umami flavors, making it suitable for stewing.

Ways to consume Shacha Sauce

Hot pot dipping sauce: Chaoshan people must have Shacha Sauce + Puning Bean Paste + chopped celery when eating hot pot. When dipping hand-made beef balls, the savory taste of Shacha Sauce can perfectly neutralize the greasiness of the balls.

A great stir-fry flavor enhancer: Mix Shacha Sauce, soy sauce and sugar in a ratio of 2:1:1 to make a sauce. You can quickly stir-fry Shacha beef and Shacha water spinach.

Enhancing freshness during stewing: Add 2 tablespoons of Shacha Sauce when stewing beef brisket. It can shorten the cooking time and increase the penetration of the meat fibers.

Adding aroma to cold dishes: After blanching flowering Chinese cabbage, drizzle with Shacha Sauce, minced garlic and hot oil to instantly enhance the flavor of the vegetarian dish.

Marinade for barbecue: Mix Shacha Sauce, honey and cooking wine to make a marinade, which is suitable for marinating chicken wings and squid.

Creative cuisine: Mix Shacha Sauce with cream and spread it on a baguette to make a salty bread that combines Chinese and Western flavors.

Where to buy Shacha Sauce

Asian supermarkets: You can go to Asian supermarkets such as 99 Ranch Market and H Mart. There are often bottled Shacha Sauces of brands such as Lee Kum Kee and Wang Zhi He in the condiment section.

Large chain supermarkets: The Asian food sections of supermarkets such as Walmart, Target and Costco may have basic Shacha Sauce. There are fewer brand and flavor choices, but the prices are affordable.

Online platforms: Websites such as Amazon and eBay offer a wide selection. Some brands provide global delivery services. You can compare and choose products that suit your taste.

Imported food stores: There may be Shacha Sauce in the Asian or Southeast Asian food areas of imported food stores such as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market. The prices are relatively high, but the packaging is distinctive.

Substitutes for Shacha Sauce

Peanut butter and chili sauce mixture:

Mix peanut butter and chili sauce, add an appropriate amount of minced garlic and salt and mix well. Add a few drops of sesame oil to enhance the flavor. The combination of the nutty aroma of peanut butter and the spiciness of chili sauce is similar to the flavor of Shacha Sauce.

Thai red curry paste:

It has spices and spiciness, and the coconut milk makes its taste richer. It can be used as a substitute. However, its flavor is different from that of Shacha Sauce. Adjust the dosage according to your acceptance of spiciness and aroma when using it.

Hoisin sauce and chili sauce mixture:

Hoisin sauce is sweet and savory, and chili sauce adds spiciness. Adjust the ratio according to your personal taste to imitate the sweet, savory and spicy flavors of Shacha Sauce.

Homemade simple substitute:

Take 2 large spoons of peanut butter, 2 large spoons of sesame paste, 1 large spoon of chili sauce (red pepper powder is also okay), 1 large spoon of soy sauce, 1 large spoon of sugar, then add an appropriate amount of minced garlic and onion. Add 1 - 2 spoons of water to adjust the thickness. This version can be used in an emergency and the taste can be adjusted according to your preference.

What's the difference between Shacha Sauce and Satay Sauce?

In terms of origin, Satay Sauce originated in places such as Indonesia and is a dipping sauce for local kebabs. Shacha Sauce was improved from Satay Sauce and has developed locally after being introduced into China.

Regarding ingredients, Satay Sauce mainly consists of peanuts, coconut milk, etc. Besides peanuts, Shacha Sauce also includes ingredients such as dried shrimps and broad bean paste.

In terms of flavor, Satay Sauce is spicy, fragrant, salty, and has a strong pungent taste. Shacha Sauce is savory, slightly spicy, and has a more intense complex aroma.

In appearance, Satay Sauce is light orange-red with a delicate sauce. Shacha Sauce is light brown with particles in the sauce.

There are also differences in cooking uses. Satay Sauce is mostly used as a dipping sauce for grilled meat, while Shacha Sauce has a wide range of uses and can be used for dipping (in hot pot), stir-frying, stewing, etc.