Ohsawa White Nama Shoyu

Aged in cedar barrels until it reaches a golden-honey hue, this condiment is the soy-free sister of soy sauce—getting its powerful umami properties from fermented wheat rather than soy. Ohsawa’s White Nama Shoyu is particularly special, as its hand-crafted with double the amount of wheat of standard white shoyu to concoct a richer, thicker, more densly-flavored sauce. It leads with a hit of salt and pronounced savoriness, and follows with a delicate, almost-fruity hint of sweetness that creates a layer of mouthwatering complexity.

The all-purpose condiment functions much like a standard soy sauce— able to impart flavor into nearly any and all foods—but without adding a heavy color or dominant taste that alters the character of a dish. Although there are many soy sauce substitutes on the market, we prefer Ohsawa White Nama Shoyu, as it provides a naturally soy-free alternative while still being a Japanese pantry staple worth having even if you don’t need to avoid soy.

Use as an elegant dipping sauce for dumplings and other small bites or pour into soups and cooking water for noodles and grains for a boost of flavor. It’s also a versatile solo seasoning to drizzle over anything you wish.