Hoisin sauce vs. Oyster sauce — What's The Difference?

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by Jack Yacoubian | Last updated on July 28, 2023

Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel

Summary

Hoisin sauce is richer in calories, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and folate. Hoisin sauce is lower in sodium than oyster sauce.

In comparison, oyster sauce contains more selenium and B12. Besides, oyster sauce is lower in carbs, including net carbs.

Table of contents

Introduction

Nutrition

Calories

Carbs

Fats

Protein

Minerals

Sodium

Vitamins

Health Impact

References

Introduction

In this article, we will compare two types of sauces that are frequently used in Chinese cuisine: hoisin sauce and oyster sauce.
Hoisin sauce is a dark sauce with a savory-sweet flavor. The basic ingredients are soybeans, vinegar, sugar, garlic, and chili. Hoisin sauce is frequently used with roasted Pekin duck.

In comparison, oyster sauce is derived from oysters and infused with soy sauce, sugar, and salt. It is similarly dark and brown but has a different flavor profile, blending umami, savory, and slightly sweet flavor.

Oyster sauce is used as a marination sauce and in stir-fries and dish flavoring. Oyster sauce is also frequently used in other Southeast Asian gastronomy.

Oyster sauce is not a vegan sauce. However, hoisin sauce is supposed to be vegan.

Nevertheless, more often, producers add animal-based products to them. It is essential to read the label.

Nutrition

In this section, we will compare 100g of each sauce.

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison

Hoisin sauce

Oyster sauce

Contains more Protein +145.2%

Contains more Fats +1256%

Contains more Carbs +303.7%

Contains more Water +80.9%

Contains more Other +49.9%

Hoisin sauce

Protein: 3.31 g

Fats: 3.39 g

Carbs: 44.08 g

Water: 44.23 g

Other: 4.99 g

Oyster sauce

Protein: 1.35 g

Fats: 0.25 g

Carbs: 10.92 g

Water: 80 g

Other: 7.48 g

Contains more Protein +145.2%

Contains more Fats +1256%

Contains more Carbs +303.7%

Contains more Water +80.9%

Contains more Other +49.9%

Calories

One of the significant differences between these two sauces is their calories. Hoisin sauce has 220 calories, and oyster sauce has 51 calories.

There are about 4.3 times more calories in hoisin sauce.

Carbs

Hoisin sauce contains 4.3 times more carbs than oyster sauce. Hoisin contains 44g of carbs. In comparison, the oyster sauce contains 11g.

Fats

Their total fat content is low, and that of oysters is negligible. However, hoisin sauce contains higher amounts of fats, but this amount doesn't have much significance.

Protein

They don't have significant amounts of protein, but hoisin sauce is slightly richer in protein.

Below are the macronutrient distributions of each sauce.

Minerals

Hoisin sauce is richer in magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. The amount of potassium in hoisin sauce is two times higher than in oyster sauce. Hoisin sauce is also lower in sodium.

On the other hand, oyster sauce is richer in selenium.

Sodium

Sodium needs a special section in this comparison because they are both very high in sodium. The health section will focus on why high amounts of sodium are dangerous.

Oyster sauce is much higher in sodium compared to hoisin sauce.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Hoisin sauce

Oyster sauce

Contains more Iron +461.1%

Contains more Magnesium +500%

Contains more Phosphorus +72.7%

Contains more Potassium +120.4%

Contains less Sodium -40.9%

Contains more Zinc +255.6%

Contains more Manganese +379.2%

Contains more Copper +14.8%

Contains more Selenium +144.4%

Equal in Calcium - 32

Hoisin sauce

Oyster sauce

Contains more Iron +461.1%

Contains more Magnesium +500%

Contains more Phosphorus +72.7%

Contains more Potassium +120.4%

Contains less Sodium -40.9%

Contains more Zinc +255.6%

Contains more Manganese +379.2%

Contains more Copper +14.8%

Contains more Selenium +144.4%

Equal in Calcium - 32

Vitamins

Hoisin sauce is richer in vitamins B2, and oyster sauce is richer in vitamins B3 and B12.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Hoisin sauce

Oyster sauce

Contains more Vitamin A +∞%

Contains more Vitamin E +∞%

Contains more Vitamin C +300%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +75%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +325%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +287.5%

Contains more Folate +53.3%

Contains more Vitamin K +∞%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +150%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +26%

Contains more Vitamin B12 +∞%

Hoisin sauce

Oyster sauce

Contains more Vitamin A +∞%

Contains more Vitamin E +∞%

Contains more Vitamin C +300%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +75%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +325%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +287.5%

Contains more Folate +53.3%

Contains more Vitamin K +∞%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +150%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +26%

Contains more Vitamin B12 +∞%

Health Impact

One of the essential health impacts that both these sauces can have is on the cardiovascular system.
They contain very high amounts of sodium, and more often, the salty flavor is obscured by other flavors. Often we overuse them, and without realizing it, we increase our sodium salt consumption.
High sodium consumption is linked with increased risks of hypertension, and in addition, hypertension increases risks of overall cardiovascular mortality rates. In this comparison, the oyster sauce contains much higher amounts of sodium than hoisin and poses a higher risk. (1)(2)

References

Author name: Jack Yacoubian

Education: Haigazian Medical University

Last updated: July 28, 2023

Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel

Infographic

Infographic link

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison

Hoisin sauce

Oyster sauce

Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +1219.2%

Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +2472.7%

Contains less Saturated Fat -92.4%

Hoisin sauce

Saturated Fat: 0.568 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 0.963 g

Polyunsaturated fat: 1.698 g

Oyster sauce

Saturated Fat: 0.043 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 0.073 g

Polyunsaturated fat: 0.066 g

Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +1219.2%

Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +2472.7%

Contains less Saturated Fat -92.4%

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.


Lower in Sugar
Lower in Cholesterol
Lower in Saturated Fat
Lower in Sodium
Rich in minerals
Rich in vitamins
Lower in Glycemic Index	Equal
Lower in price	Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient			Opinion
Net carbs	41.28g	10.62g
Protein	3.31g	1.35g
Fats	3.39g	0.25g
Carbs	44.08g	10.92g
Calories	220kcal	51kcal
Sugar	27.26g	0g
Fiber	2.8g	0.3g
Calcium	32mg	32mg
Iron	1.01mg	0.18mg
Magnesium	24mg	4mg
Phosphorus	38mg	22mg
Potassium	119mg	54mg
Sodium	1615mg	2733mg
Zinc	0.32mg	0.09mg
Copper	0.128mg	0.147mg
Manganese	0.254mg	0.053mg
Selenium	1.8µg	4.4µg
Vitamin A	6IU	0IU
Vitamin E	0.28mg	0mg
Vitamin C	0.4mg	0.1mg
Vitamin B1	0.004mg	0.01mg
Vitamin B2	0.217mg	0.124mg
Vitamin B3	1.17mg	1.474mg
Vitamin B5	0.068mg	0.016mg
Vitamin B6	0.062mg	0.016mg
Folate	23µg	15µg
Vitamin B12	0µg	0.41µg
Vitamin K	0.5µg	0µg
Cholesterol	3mg	0mg
Saturated Fat	0.568g	0.043g
Omega-3 - DHA	0g	0.001g
Omega-3 - EPA	0g	0.001g
Monounsaturated Fat	0.963g	0.073g
Polyunsaturated fat	1.698g	0.066g

Which food is preferable for your diet?

Low Fats diet

Low Carbs diet

Low Calories diet

Low Glycemic Index diet

is better in case of low diet


Low Fats diet
Low Carbs diet
Low Calories diet
Low Glycemic Index diet	Equal

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Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).

Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score

10%

11%

Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

40%

47%

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Sugar?

Oyster sauce is lower in Sugar (difference - 27.26g)

Which food is lower in Cholesterol?

Oyster sauce is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 3mg)

Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?

Oyster sauce is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 0.525g)

Which food contains less Sodium?

Hoisin sauce contains less Sodium (difference - 1118mg)

Which food is richer in minerals?

Hoisin sauce is relatively richer in minerals

Which food is richer in vitamins?

Hoisin sauce is relatively richer in vitamins

Which food is lower in glycemic index?

The foods have equal glycemic indexes ()

Which food is cheaper?

The foods are relatively equal in price ($)