Tương facts for kids

Tương (pronounced "too-ung") is a special kind of sauce or paste from Vietnam. It is made from soybeans that have been fermented. This means they are left to change over time, which gives them a unique flavor. Tương is used a lot in Vietnamese cuisine.

Originally, tương was a salty paste made from fermented soybeans. It is very popular in vegetarian meals, especially those eaten by Vietnamese Buddhist monks. It's also a common dipping sauce for summer rolls (called gỏi cuốn).

This paste is usually dark brown. To make it, a special kind of fungus called Aspergillus oryzae is added to roasted soybeans. These soybeans then sit in a jar with water and ferment naturally. This process helps the tương develop a rich, savory taste known as umami. Sometimes, other things like glutinous rice or corn powder, salt, and water are also added. Tương is similar to Chinese yellow soybean paste, but the Chinese version is usually saltier and thicker.

Different Kinds of Tương

Tương can be thick like a paste or thin like a liquid. Some types, especially from Central Vietnam, are watery with solid bits at the bottom. A thicker kind is called tương Bần or tương làng Bần. It comes from a town called Bần Yên Nhân in northern Vietnam. Its name comes from the town where it's made.

Other types of tương are also named after their hometowns. For example, tương Phố Hiến is from Phố Hiến, and tương Nam Đàn is from Nam Đàn. In Southern Vietnam, this paste is known as tương hột.

You can buy tương in glass or plastic jars and bottles all over Vietnam. You can also find it in Vietnamese grocery stores in other countries.

Other Uses of the Word Tương

The word tương can also refer to other sauces. For example:

• Tương cà means tomato sauce.
• Tương xí muội means plum sauce.
• Tương ớt means chilli sauce.

In Southern Vietnam, soy sauce is called nước tương. In Northern Vietnam, it's called xì dầu.

How Tương is Used

Different kinds of tương are used with various Vietnamese dishes.

Tương đen (Sweet Bean Sauce)

Tương đen is also known as sweet bean sauce or Hoisin sauce. It's used with:

• Phở: A popular Vietnamese noodle soup.
• Gỏi cuốn: A special version of tương đen called tương xào is used with summer rolls.
• Bò bía: This dish also uses tương xào.
• Chạo tôm: A different version of tương đen called tương kho is used with shrimp paste on sugarcane.
• Nem nướng: This grilled pork sausage also uses tương kho.
• Bánh ướt thịt nướng: This dish uses tương kho.
• Cuốn tôm chua: A version of tương đen called tương ruốc is used here.

Tương ớt (Chilli Sauce)

Tương ớt is a sauce made with chilli and garlic. A well-known type is Sriracha sauce.

Tương Bần and Tương Cự Đà

These specific types of tương are often eaten with:

• Boiled water spinach.
• Bánh đúc lạc: A type of rice cake.
• Bê thui: A kind of grilled beef.

Tương Nam Đàn

Tương Nam Đàn is often served with:

• Bánh khoái: A pancake similar to bánh xèo.

Where the Name Comes From

The word tương comes from the Chinese word jiàng (Chữ Hán: 醬). Both words mean "paste."

See also

In Spanish: Tương para niños