
Shaoxing Cooking Wine
A must-have for traditional Chinese cooking, Shaoxing Cooking Wine (also known as Shao Hsing, Shaoxing, or Shaohsing wine) is made by fermenting glutinous rice with water and wheat-based yeast. It has a light amber colour, a fragrant, slightly earthy aroma, and a subtle blend of savoury, mildly sweet, and salty notes. Used widely across Chinese kitchens, it enhances umami, reduces unwanted meat odours, and brings depth and balance to stir-fries, braises, marinades, and sauces.
While not typically consumed on its own, it plays a similar role to dry sherry in Western cooking—adding richness and complexity to both meat and plant-based dishes. Use it in recipes like red-braised pork, mapo tofu, or a simple ginger and shallot stir-fry. Add a splash when marinating, deglazing your wok, or building the base of a sauce. For vegetarian cooking, it works beautifully in braised tofu, mushroom dishes, or soy-based broths—enhancing flavour without overpowering. A small amount goes a long way.
- Ingredients: Water, rice, wheat, salt
- Size: 640ml
- Product of China