I Tried 15 of the Best Soy Sauces—and One Completely Changed My Mind

There are a handful of pantry staples that quietly do more work than they ever get credit for, and soy sauce is definitely one of them. It’s the ingredient that seems to find its way into almost everything from stir-fries, marinades, dipping sauces, salad dressings, noodle dishes and even the occasional unexpected recipe that just needs a little extra something. A splash can make vegetables taste more savory, deepen the flavor of soups and stews and bring balance to everything from rice bowls to roasted meats. But what’s the very best soy sauce?

At its core, soy sauce is all about umami, that rich, savory flavor often described as the fifth taste. Made through a fermentation process involving soybeans, wheat, salt and water, soy sauce develops layers of complexity that go far beyond simple saltiness. Some varieties are deeply savory and almost meaty, while others lean sweeter, fruitier or even slightly smoky. And while many of us reach for the same bottle year after year without thinking twice, the differences between brands can be surprisingly dramatic.

As someone who spends a lot of time testing foods and ingredients, I was curious to see whether one soy sauce truly stood above the rest. Could a premium bottle justify a higher price tag? Would a grocery store favorite hold its own against imported brands? To find out, I gathered 15 widely available options and put them head-to-head in a blind soy sauce taste test. Some were household names that have been sitting in American pantries for decades, while others were newer discoveries I spotted on grocery store shelves. The results were eye-opening and in a few cases, completely unexpected.

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How I Chose the Soy Sauces

For this soy sauce taste test, I focused on a combination of longtime favorites and the brands most commonly available at my local grocery stores. I wanted the lineup to reflect what the average shopper would actually encounter while browsing the condiment aisle, while also including a few highly regarded soy sauces that food lovers frequently recommend. The result was a mix of classic household staples, imported options and newer brands that have developed devoted followings.

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How I Tested and Ranked These Soy Sauces

Before tasting a single drop, I started by smelling each soy sauce, almost like a wine tasting. It was incredible how different they were from one another. Some had fruity, almost floral aromas, while others smelled deeply savory and fermented. A few immediately announced their saltiness, while others seemed surprisingly mild and understated.

After evaluating the aroma, I tasted each soy sauce on its own before comparing them side-by-side. I paid close attention to saltiness, sweetness, depth of flavor, complexity, balance and overall umami. I then tried them over some plain white rice to see how the flavor felt on something bland. The highest-ranking soy sauces delivered much more than just sodium; they offered layers of flavor that made me want to keep tasting. The lowest-ranked bottles tended to be one-dimensional, overly salty or lacking the richness I look for in a great soy sauce.

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15 Soy Sauces, Ranked From Worst to Best

Let’s see how they stacked up…

15. Kikkoman Umami Joy Sauce – The Soy Sauce Alternative To Avoid, $9.49

Who doesn’t love a little joy with their soy? Unfortunately, this one just didn’t do it for me. Made with tomato extract as a soy sauce alternative, it has a noticeably fruitier, almost tomato-forward flavor that never quite captured the deep umami richness I was looking for. It’s an interesting concept, but it felt more like a specialty condiment than something I’d reach for in everyday cooking.

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14. La Choy All Purpose Soy Sauce – Too Salty Overall, $2.99

This is about as basic as soy sauce gets. It’s salty, one-dimensional and lacks the complexity or fermented depth that makes a really good soy sauce shine. It certainly gets the job done in a pinch, but compared to the rest of the lineup, it didn’t leave much of an impression.

13. Burman’s All Purpose Soy Sauce (Aldi) – Not Very Memorable, $1.65

Burman’s is exactly what you’d expect from an everyday soy sauce. It has a savory aroma and a familiar, salt-forward flavor that’s perfectly serviceable without being particularly memorable. If I’m already at Aldi and need soy sauce, I’d happily grab a bottle, especially for under $2, but I wouldn’t make a special trip for it.

12. Bragg Liquid Aminos – An OK Soy Sauce Alternative, $5.79

Despite often sitting next to soy sauce on store shelves, Bragg Liquid Aminos is actually made from soybeans rather than traditionally fermented soy sauce. It has a lighter body with a subtle savory flavor that’s less complex and slightly sweeter than classic soy sauce. It’s a solid gluten-free alternative, but it doesn’t quite deliver the deep umami punch as some of the others on this list.

11. Lee Kum Kee Gluten-Free Soy Sauce – Great Gluten-free Option, $6.99

For a gluten-free soy sauce, this one does a really nice job of preserving that familiar savory flavor. It leans a bit cleaner and lighter than traditional soy sauce with a slightly softer finish, but it never feels watered down. If you’re avoiding gluten, this is a solid bottle to keep stocked.

10. Trader Joe’s Soy Sauce – Good Value Overall, $3.99

Trader Joe’s soy sauce landed squarely in the middle of the pack. It delivers a pleasant balance of salt and umami without leaning too heavily in either direction. Even if it isn’t especially memorable, it’s a great value for two full cups of soy sauce.

9. Kikkoman Soy Sauce – Great Choice for Marinades, $3.99

Sometimes the classics are classics for a reason. Kikkoman delivers the familiar savory, salty, slightly roasted flavor that most people immediately associate with soy sauce. It’s bold, dependable and incredibly versatile, making it an easy choice for marinades, stir-fries and dipping sauces alike.

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8. 365 Organic Shoyu – Extremely Versatile Option, $6.00

Shoyu is the Japanese style of soy sauce and is traditionally brewed with both soybeans and wheat, often resulting in a slightly milder, more balanced flavor than some Chinese-style soy sauces. This one happens to be the bottle I always keep in my own pantry, so it tasted wonderfully familiar. It has a rich savory aroma, a balanced blend of salt and umami and an easygoing flavor that works with just about everything. A great product.

7. Wegmans Reduced Sodium Sushi Soy Sauce – Solid Choice for Dipping, $3.49

This soy sauce feels like it’s dressed up specifically for sushi night. With ingredients like sake, sugar and rice vinegar, it offers a sweeter, rounder flavor than a traditional soy sauce while still delivering plenty of umami. It’s incredibly enjoyable, though I see it as more of a finishing or dipping sauce than an all-purpose pantry staple.

6. Thrive Market Organic Coconut Aminos – Great Alternative for Cooking, $6.99

While coconut aminos isn’t technically soy sauce, it’s often grouped alongside soy sauces because it serves a similar purpose in cooking. Made from fermented coconut blossom sap rather than soybeans, it’s naturally soy-free and gluten-free. It has a noticeably sweeter, almost floral flavor with less salt and a gentler umami finish. If you have a soy allergy or simply prefer a milder alternative, it’s an excellent option, though it doesn’t fully replace the richness of traditional soy sauce.

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5. Kikkoman Traditionally Brewed Organic Soy Sauce – Excellent Rich Flavor, $4.49

There was a noticeable difference between this and the original Kikkoman. The aroma is deeper and more robust, while the flavor has richer roasted notes and a fuller fermented character that lingers on the palate. It still has that classic Kikkoman identity, just with a little more complexity.

4. Kikkoman Less Sodium Tamari – Best Reduced Sodium Option, $3.79

Tamari differs from traditional soy sauce because it’s typically made with little or no wheat, giving it a richer, smoother soy flavor while naturally being gluten-free in many varieties. This reduced-sodium version still delivers plenty of savory depth but finishes lighter thanks to a subtle tang that likely comes from the added vinegar. It’s balanced, flavorful and the best reduced-sodium option I tasted.

3. Lee Kum Kee Premium Dark Soy Sauce – Perfect for Braises and Fried Rice, $3.79

Don’t let the lighter aroma fool you, this soy sauce packs serious depth once you taste it. Dark soy sauce is designed more for richness, color and subtle sweetness than everyday dipping, making it perfect for braises, fried rice, lo mein and red-cooked dishes. It’s beautifully balanced, deeply savory and tastes like a premium product from the very first bite.

2. Lee Kum Kee Supreme Authentic First Draw Soy Sauce – Great Umami Flavor, $6.99

First draw soy sauce refers to the very first pressing after fermentation, which produces the most concentrated, flavorful liquid. This one absolutely lives up to that reputation. It has an intensely savory aroma and a vibrant, lively flavor that almost sparkles across your palate, delivering layers of umami with a remarkably fresh finish.

1. Thrive Market Organic Soy Sauce – The Bottle That Changed My Mind and the Clear Winner, $3.99

This Thrive Market find was the biggest surprise of the entire taste test and my clear winner. The flavor is incredibly fresh, clean and crisp, with just the right amount of salt supporting rather than overpowering the natural umami. And, you cannot beat this price for the quality of the product. Every sip and bite tasted balanced, complex and remarkably smooth, making this the bottle I’d happily keep stocked in my pantry year-round.

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Final Takeaways

Whether you’re looking for an everyday soy sauce to keep on your kitchen counter or a premium bottle to elevate homemade stir-fries and marinades, there’s a soy sauce for every type of cook. While a few bottles surprised me with their complexity and balanced umami, others proved that not all soy sauces are created equal. No matter which one you choose, having a quality soy sauce in your pantry is one of the easiest ways to add rich, savory flavor to countless meals, and after this taste test, I know exactly which bottle I’ll be reaching for first.

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