hoisin sauce

[ hoi-sin saws, hoi-sin ]

noun

, Chinese Cooking.

1. a thick, sweet, spicy condiment containing soybeans, sugar, garlic, and chile peppers, used in cooking or as an accompaniment to meat, fish, or poultry, especially Peking duck.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoisin sauce¹

First recorded in 1960–65; from dialectal Chinese (Guangdong) hóisīn, equivalent to Chinese hǎixiān “seafood”

Example Sentences

When it comes to cheap pho, many customers drown their bowl in Sriracha and hoisin sauce.

From Seattle Times

Mayo, mustards, chutneys, relishes or jams, hummus, barbecue sauce, hoisin sauce, plain Greek yogurt, salsa, pestos of all flavors - maybe there’s even a leftover dip or crostini spread lurking in the fridge that holds appeal.

From Washington Times

Sheridan butcher’s, the co-owner John Sinclair was selling a commemorative coronation sausage, with pork, plums, ginger and hoisin sauce.

From New York Times

Not even hoisin sauce, cucumbers and scallions bundled in housemade wraps can rescue the entree.

From Washington Post

A simple glaze consisting of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and Sriracha finishes off this sticky, sweet, and spicy dish.

From Salon