Tương

Tương (, ) is the name applied to a variety of condiments, a kind of fermented bean paste made from soybean and commonly used in Vietnamese cuisine.

Originally, the term refers to a salty paste made from fermented soybeans, which is popular in vegetarian meals, particularly those prepared and eaten by Vietnamese Buddhist monks. It is also the most typical dipping sauce for summer rolls (). The paste, which is generally dark brown in color, is produced by adding the fungus Aspergillus oryzae to roasted soybeans, which are then allowed to naturally ferment in a jar with water until it develops an umami flavor. Other ingredients, such as glutinous rice or maize powder, salt, or water, may also be used. is similar to the Chinese yellow soybean paste, though the latter is generally saltier and thicker in texture.

may range in consistency from a thick paste to a thin liquid. Some varieties, such as that prepared in Central Vietnam, are watery, with solids at the bottom of the container in which it is stored. A more condensed variety, called or , is produced in the town of Bần Yên Nhân, in Mỹ Hào district of Hưng Yên Province, in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam, and takes its name from the name of the town. Other varieties of are similarly named for the towns or districts in which they are made, such as (made in a township of Hưng Yên Province), (made in a district of Nghệ An Province), (made in a town in Hà Tây Province) and (Đường Lâm village, Hà Tây Province). In Southern Vietnam, it is called .

is commercially available in glass and plastic jars and bottles throughout Vietnam, as well as in Vietnamese grocery stores overseas.

The word can also be used to refer to other condiments, such as (tomato sauce), (plum sauce) or (chilli sauce). In southern Vietnam, refers to soy sauce while northern Vietnam calls it .

Varieties

Tương đen (or tương ngọt, or Hoisin sauce)

Phở Gỏi cuốn: a variation of is used. This variation is called . Bò bía: uses . Chạo tôm: a variation of is used. This variation is called . Nem nướng: uses . Bánh ướt thịt nướng: uses . Cuốn tôm chua: a variation of is used. This variation is called .

Tương ớt Sauce with chilli and garlic. Sriracha sauce

Tương Bần and tương Cự Đà

Boiled water spinach. : a kind of Bê thui: a kind of grilled beef.

Tương Nam Đàn

, a pancake which is similar to .

Etymology The word derives from the Chinese word (Chữ Hán: ), meaning "paste."

Tương

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