What Does Eel Sauce Taste Like?

In this article, we’ll be discussing the biggest questions you have about eel sauce: what does it taste like?How’s the texture?We’ll also talk about how you can use eel sauce to make meals at home a dining-out experience.

Let’s get started…

What Does Eel Sauce Taste Like? 

Eel sauce has a multitude of flavors, primarily sweet, salty, umami and smoky.The savory and slightly salty tastes come primarily from soy sauce.

Because of this specific combination of flavors, there is something distinctly like barbecue about eel sauce.In fact, barbecue sauce mixed with hoisin, if you’ve had this sweet and salty sauce, is a good description of the flavor of eel sauce.

What is Eel Sauce?

Eel sauce, also called unagi sauce, is a Japanese dipping sauce used for dishes containing eel.Despite its non-vegan use,it’s often vegan, though occasionally there can be fish stock or eel eggs, particularly in homemade sauces.

However, the majority of eel sauces that are store-bought have no animal products in them, so vegans are generally safe with these kinds of eel sauce.

On to the flavor…

Related Article: What Does Dulse Taste Like?

Eel Sauce Texture 

The texture of this rich brown sauce is thick, smooth and viscous.Depending on the recipes, some eel sauces will be thicker and more gelatinous than others.

Homemade eel sauces may be on the thinner, runnier side while store-bought eel sauce is usually very thick, sort of like ketchup.If you dip something into these sauces, they’ll stick to it and not slide off easily.

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Does Eel Sauce Taste Fishy? 

A non-vegan eel sauce may taste fishy if it contains fish stock.However, as vegans, we’re not going to be eating those eel sauces anyway.

Vegan eel sauces do not taste fishy at all—just barbecuey.If, for some reason, a vegan eel sauce were to contain seaweed, it could take on an ocean-like flavor, but seaweed is not a typical eel sauce ingredient.

Read Also: What Does Earl Grey Taste Like?

Is Teriyaki Sauce the Same as Eel Sauce? 

Teriyaki sauce is another sweet, salty and savory Japanese sauce of a similar color, but it’s not the same thing as eel sauce.The two sauces have different ingredients.

Teriyaki sauce usually contains spice-giving ingredients like ginger while eel sauce is not meant to be spicy.Eel sauce also contains mirin, Japanese rice wine, or something that mimics mirin, while teriyaki typically doesn’t.

Does Eel Sauce Have Alcohol? 

As we’ve just mentioned, eel sauce does traditionally have alcohol: mirin.However, in recipes containing mirin, the alcohol will mostly to entirely cook out of the sauce on the stove top depending on how long you simmer it.

Most eel sauces on the supermarket shelves likely won’t contain mirin but rather a nonalcoholic ingredient that tastes similar. 

Eel Sauce Serving Tips 

You can easily make your own eel sauce at home.Once you do, you can start testing it out on grilled tofu, tempeh or eggplant, which are all excellently paired with eel sauce.

Further Reading: What Does Eggplant Taste Like?

This video will show you exactly how to make eel sauce with soy sauce, mirin and sugar.That’s all you need, and the result is rich, thick and flavorful.

Wrap Up 

Store-bought eel sauce is usually vegan, but always check the ingredients.Vegan eel sauce is sweet, smoky and savory, excellent as a dipping sauce, glaze or topper for creamy avocado rolls, baked tofu, stir-fries and grilled veggies.If you need some inspiration, here’s a tip: vegan chefs are all about roasting or grilling eggplant and topping it with eel sauce. 

For tofu based dishes, don’t forget to press out the excess moisture from the tofu first before incorporating it in the recipe. Read our list on the best tofu press if you’re looking to buy one.

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Joey Bruno

Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!