Oyster Sauce

From the fishing villages in the New Territories, this important sauce is an essential taste of the Hong Kong cuisine. It is thick and brown and is made from a concentrate of oysters cooked in soy sauce, seasonings and brine. It does not taste fishy but has a rich flavour, and it is used not only in cooking but also as a condiment, diluted with a little oil, for vegetables, poultry and meats, which is very popular in Hong Kong. Oyster sauce is usually sold in bottles and can be bought in Chinese shops and some supermarkets. Look for the most expensive ones, as they are of the highest quality.