🍯 Sauces & Condiments

Aloha Shoyu Substitute: Hawaiian Soy Sauce Options

Find the best Aloha shoyu substitutes for Hawaiian cooking. Learn about this unique soy sauce and how to replicate its flavor in your dishes.

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Quick Answer

The best Aloha shoyu substitutes are regular soy sauce (1:1 ratio), tamari (1:1 ratio), or a blend of soy sauce with a touch of sugar (1:1 ratio). Aloha shoyu is slightly sweeter than regular soy sauce, so you may want to add a pinch of sugar to your substitute.

Best Substitutes

Regular Soy Sauce + Sugar

1:1 (with 1/4 tsp sugar per tbsp soy sauce)

Aloha shoyu is known for being slightly sweeter than regular soy sauce. Adding a small amount of sugar to regular soy sauce replicates this characteristic sweetness.

Best for:

Hawaiian dishesteriyakimarinadespoke bowlsplate lunches

Closest match to Aloha's slightly sweet profile, easy to make

Tamari + Sugar

1:1 (with 1/4 tsp sugar per tbsp tamari)

Tamari with added sugar provides the gluten-free benefits while maintaining the slightly sweet profile that makes Aloha shoyu distinctive in Hawaiian cuisine.

Best for:

gluten-free Hawaiian cookingpokemarinadessauces

Gluten-free option, similar fermentation process, slightly sweet

Coconut Aminos

1:1

Coconut aminos are naturally sweeter than regular soy sauce, making them a good match for Aloha shoyu's sweet profile. They're also soy-free and gluten-free.

Best for:

soy-free dietspaleo Hawaiian cookingmarinadesdressings

Naturally sweeter, soy-free, good for dietary restrictions

Regular Soy Sauce

1:1

Regular soy sauce works well as a substitute for Aloha shoyu in most Hawaiian dishes. While it may not have the exact sweetness, it provides the same salty, umami flavor.

Best for:

general Hawaiian cookingstir-friessoupsmarinades

Most accessible, works well in most Hawaiian dishes

Soy Sauce + Mirin

2:1 (soy sauce to mirin)

Combining soy sauce with mirin (sweet rice wine) adds the sweetness characteristic of Aloha shoyu while maintaining the authentic Japanese influence in Hawaiian cuisine.

Best for:

teriyakipoke marinadesglazessauces

Adds sweetness and complexity, authentic Japanese-Hawaiian fusion

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Aloha shoyu is essential for authentic Hawaiian plate lunches and poke bowls
  • 💡It's commonly used in teriyaki sauce, which is a staple in Hawaiian cuisine
  • 💡The slight sweetness of Aloha shoyu works well with tropical fruits and flavors
  • 💡Use Aloha shoyu substitutes in marinades for at least 30 minutes for best flavor penetration
  • 💡It pairs beautifully with ginger, garlic, and sesame oil in Hawaiian dishes
  • 💡Aloha shoyu is often used in combination with brown sugar for glazes and sauces
  • 💡Store your substitute in a cool, dark place and it will keep for months

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Aloha shoyu and how is it different?

Aloha shoyu is a Hawaiian brand of soy sauce that's slightly sweeter than regular soy sauce. It's a staple in Hawaiian cuisine and is known for its distinctive flavor that works well with the sweet and savory elements of Hawaiian cooking.

Can I use regular soy sauce instead of Aloha shoyu?

Yes, regular soy sauce can be used as a substitute for Aloha shoyu, but you may want to add a small amount of sugar to replicate the slightly sweet profile that makes Aloha shoyu distinctive.

What makes Aloha shoyu special for Hawaiian cooking?

Aloha shoyu's slight sweetness complements the tropical flavors and sweet-savory balance that's characteristic of Hawaiian cuisine. It works particularly well with teriyaki, poke, and plate lunch dishes.

Where can I buy Aloha shoyu?

Aloha shoyu is available at Hawaiian markets, some Asian grocery stores, and online. If you can't find it, the substitutes listed here will work well in most Hawaiian recipes.

Can I use Aloha shoyu substitutes in poke bowls?

Yes, any of the substitutes will work well in poke bowls. The slightly sweet profile of Aloha shoyu (or its substitutes) complements the fresh fish and other ingredients in poke.

What's the best substitute for Aloha shoyu in teriyaki sauce?

For teriyaki sauce, use regular soy sauce with added sugar, or combine soy sauce with mirin. This will give you the sweet-savory balance that's essential for authentic Hawaiian teriyaki.

Summary

Find the best Aloha shoyu substitutes for Hawaiian cooking including soy sauce with sugar and tamari. Learn about this unique soy sauce and how to use it in Hawaiian dishes.