Dry goods & condiments

Douchi (Fermented Black Soybeans)

A fermented black-soybean seasoning sold as small dark wrinkled whole or broken beans, not ready-made black bean sauce.

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Names in other languages

Name in Cantonese (Jyutping): dau6 si6

A fermented black-soybean seasoning sold as small dark wrinkled whole or broken beans, not ready-made black bean sauce.

Look for small black-brown wrinkled fermented beans, usually fairly dry or lightly oily, with 豆豉 on the label.

Used for steamed fish, stir-fries, black-bean sauce and steamed ribs.

Rinse lightly or chop only if the label/recipe directs. Use a clean utensil and add gradually because it is strongly seasoned.

Follow the label; reseal after opening, refrigerate when directed and keep wet utensils out.

豆豉 contains recognisable beans. Bottled black bean sauce has added ingredients and is not a one-for-one volume substitute.

要乾豆豉，唔係樽裝豉汁。

Buy the fermented beans themselves, not prepared bottled black bean sauce.

唔該要豆豉，原粒嗰種。

Meaning: Fermented black beans, the whole-bean kind, please.

Last reviewed: 2026-08-22

Sources (3)