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Definition of oyster sauce

oyster sauce

Plural:oyster sauces
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oyster sauce Lexical Profile

• noun

1

A rich, syrupy, dark brown condiment made from oyster extract, sugar, salt, and water (often thickened with cornstarch), widely used in Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisines to impart a savory, umami flavor to dishes.

Example

"She stirred a tablespoon of oyster sauce into the wok to give the beef and broccoli a deep, savory glaze."

• Nearby Words

oxus
oxypetalum
oyster
oyster sauce
oystercatcher
ozarks
ozothamnus

Word Origin & Etymology

Invented in 1888 by restaurateur Lee Kum Sheung in Guangdong, China, when he accidentally overcooked a pot of oyster broth until it reduced to a thick, intensely flavorful brown paste.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Oyster sauce. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/oyster sauce
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