Umami Bomb! Homemade Bonito Flakes & Garlic Soy Sauce for Everything
Master the Art of Making a Versatile Bonito Flakes and Garlic Flavored Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is a cornerstone of Korean cuisine, and while regular soy sauce is great, having a homemade flavored soy sauce elevates your cooking to a whole new level! Today, I’m sharing how to make a ‘Bonito Flakes and Garlic Flavored Soy Sauce’ packed with deep umami and a subtle hint of garlic. It’s perfect for stir-fries, braises, and seasoned side dishes, and it’s even delicious drizzled over warm rice. This is the magic condiment you’ll want to keep stocked in your fridge!
Main Ingredients- 200ml Jin Ganjang (Korean soy sauce for soup) or regular soy sauce
- 200ml Mirin (sweet rice wine) or cooking sake
- 200ml Worcestershire sauce
- 50g Sugar (approx. 3.5 Tbsp)
- 2 Tbsp Oyster sauce (approx. 30g)
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic (approx. 15g)
Bonito Flakes Broth Ingredients- 1 generous handful of dried bonito flakes
- 400ml Water
- 1 generous handful of dried bonito flakes
- 400ml Water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, place the dried bonito flakes into a fine-mesh sieve or a reusable tea bag. This makes it much easier to strain them out later. If you don’t have a sieve or bag, you can carefully scoop out the flakes at the end.
Step 2
In a pot, add 400ml of water and the prepared bonito flakes. Gently simmer over low heat for at least 15 minutes to extract the deep umami flavor. Turn off the heat and let it steep for a bit longer to fully infuse the broth.
Step 3
In a separate pot (or the same pot after removing the bonito flakes), add 50g of sugar. Be careful not to burn the sugar.
Step 4
Pour 200ml of mirin into the pot with the sugar. Mirin helps dissolve the sugar and removes any unwanted odors.
Step 5
Next, add 200ml of Worcestershire sauce. The complex flavors of Worcestershire sauce will add depth and richness to the sauce.
Step 6
Carefully add 200ml of Jin Ganjang (or your preferred soy sauce). This forms the base of the sauce, balancing all the flavors.
Step 7
Add 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce. Oyster sauce is the secret ingredient to maximize the umami flavor.
Step 8
Now, strain the bonito flakes broth from Step 1 into the pot with all the other ingredients. Stir everything together gently with a spoon or whisk until well combined.
Step 9
Place the pot with all the ingredients over high heat and bring it to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer gently until the volume of the sauce is reduced by about half. This process concentrates the flavors as the liquid evaporates. This may take around 20-30 minutes.
Step 10
When the sauce has reduced by half, add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and simmer for about 10 more minutes. Be mindful not to overcook the garlic after adding it, as its fragrance can dissipate.
Step 11
After 10 minutes, turn off the heat and let the sauce cool down completely. You can leave it in the pot or transfer it to another container. Allowing it to cool fully is important to prevent spoilage when storing.
Step 12
Once completely cooled, transfer the Bonito Flakes and Garlic Flavored Soy Sauce into a clean glass jar or an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Properly stored, it should stay fresh for at least 2-3 weeks.
Step 13
Your delicious Bonito Flakes and Garlic Flavored Soy Sauce is ready! Enjoy using it in all your favorite dishes!
