4 bottles of Kagoshima sweet soy sauce

Enjoy Kagoshima's sweet soy sauce to the fullest

When you think of Kyushu soy sauce, you think of sweet soy sauce. Kagoshima Prefecture is particularly known for its sweetness. While the locals take it for granted, many people who experience it for the first time on a trip to Kyushu are surprised, saying, "It's so sweet!?" I'm sure there are people who then become addicted to the charms of this sweet soy sauce.

Shokunin Soy Sauce carries four types of soy sauce from three breweries in Kagoshima Prefecture. You can enjoy all four bottles as a set, so even though they are all called "sweet soy sauce," you can fully experience the differences in their individuality.

Shokunin Shoyu No.

Key points for identifying sweet soy sauce

First, let's start with the label explanation. This is not limited to sweet soy sauce, but when choosing soy sauce, it is important to first check the label.

Sweet soy sauce, which has a strong sweetness, often contains additives such as sweeteners and thickeners. These are permitted for use under the Japanese Agricultural Standards for Soy Sauce (JAS).

I don't think that just because soy sauce contains additives can be used to judge its quality. It's often thought that additives are used to make it cheaper, but in fact it's the opposite. Using additives can actually increase production costs.

According to the JAS standard, soy sauce is classified into the following five types.

In other words, sweet soy sauce is made with one of these five types as its base. Here are three points to check when choosing sweet soy sauce.

① Pay attention to the "name"

The taste of sweet soy sauce varies depending on the type of soy sauce it is based on. Shokunin Shoyu offers two types: one based on dark soy sauce and one based on re-brewed soy sauce.

② Manufacturing method (mixed brewing or mixed)

"Mixed brewing" is a method in which amino acid liquid is added to the moromi before squeezing, while "mixing" is a method in which amino acid liquid is added to the soy sauce after squeezing.

All four bottles of Kagoshima sweet soy sauce included in this set are "mixed" types, but Shokunin Shoyu also carries "mixed brewed" types.

3. Does the ingredient contain a thickening agent?

If you see this label, it is likely a thick, sweet soy sauce. The sweeteners are listed in order of most used, but it is not possible to read the exact amount from the label.

Keeping these points in mind will help you choose the sweet soy sauce that suits your taste. For more information on sweeteners, please click here.

Tenryu/Yoshinaga Brewery (Kagoshima Prefecture)

Tenryu is a standard product of Yoshinaga Brewery, located in Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture.

The soy sauce has an exquisite balance of richness, moderate sweetness, and thickness, making it a recommended choice for those who want to try Kyushu's sweet soy sauce for the first time. It is clearly sweet, but not overly sweet. The thickness leaves a gentle aftertaste in the mouth.

If you are trying sweet soy sauce with red meat sashimi such as tuna or yellowtail for the first time, start with Tenryu. If you find that you prefer a sweeter or stronger flavor, we recommend switching to another sweet soy sauce.

Sashimi soy sauce / Kubo Brewery Partnership (Kagoshima Prefecture)

The soy sauce from Kubo Brewery Partnership, located in Kanoya City, Kagoshima Prefecture, is a long-selling product that has been loved since the Showa era. It is made by adding second-brewed soy sauce to the regular koikuchi soy sauce brewing process. The result is a rich, sweet, umami-filled, and full-bodied "thick sashimi soy sauce," which is Kubo Brewery's most popular soy sauce.

This is a recommended product for those who want a sweet and thick soy sauce. First-time customers may be surprised by the sweetness, but the rich and addictive flavor makes it a popular product with many repeat customers.

It has a thick consistency like a sauce and is characterized by the strong sweetness that is unique to Kagoshima. It is the ideal flavor for those who want to eat sashimi with a rich, sweet soy sauce. This thick sweetness is also popular with horse sashimi. Furthermore, it goes well with red meat sashimi such as tuna and bonito, and many fans say that without this sweetness, "cold tofu and rice with raw egg on top are not satisfying!"

Sashimi soy sauce / Yoshimura Brewery (Kagoshima Prefecture)

Yoshimura Brewery, located in Ichikikushikino City, Kagoshima Prefecture, is affectionately known locally as "Sakura Kaneyo." This soy sauce is based on a soy sauce that has been brewed twice. It has a thick, rich flavor that sets it apart from other sweet soy sauces. It has a strong sweetness, but what is even more impressive is the deep, rich flavor.

Many people are addicted to the balance of rich umami and sweetness, and many keep it at home, saying, "It's fun to try different sweet soy sauces with the same sashimi." It's especially recommended as a drizzle for foods with a strong natural flavor, such as fatty red tuna or horse sashimi. The rich flavor perfectly harmonizes with the ingredients.

Koikuchi Kanro / Yoshimura Brewery (Kagoshima Prefecture)

This is another Yoshimura Brewery masterpiece, made by the same brewery as the aforementioned "Sashimi Soy Sauce." Of the four sweet Kagoshima soy sauces, this is the only one that isn't thick. It has a good balance of rich umami and sweetness, and you can make delicious meat and potato stew with just this one bottle without adding any secret ingredients. Even people from the Kanto region who don't like sweet soy sauces for regular dipping sauces often return to this soy sauce, saying, "I can't live without this when cooking."

If you like sweet soy sauce, this is also recommended as a dipping sauce. Because it is not thick, it does not linger in your mouth and does not feel heavy. It has a strong umami and sweetness, but a clean aftertaste. It is also perfect for pickling things like shiso leaves in soy sauce. When used for light pickling, the freshness of the shiso leaves and their moderate sweetness are harmoniously combined to create a well-balanced flavor.