Kikkoman has relaunched its Dark Soy Sauce exclusively for the Indian foodservice market, introducing an upgraded formulation developed in collaboration with chefs across the country to better cater to the evolving needs of professional kitchens.
The revamped product features enhanced colour, deeper umami flavour and improved consistency, aimed at elevating Indo-Chinese and Pan-Asian cuisine while maintaining Kikkoman’s traditional honjozo natural brewing process. Manufactured in India using Kikkoman Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce from Japan as the primary ingredient, the product also aligns with the company’s ‘Make in India’ strategy.
Unlike conventional product development, Kikkoman said the upgraded sauce was co-created through extensive feedback from restaurant chains and independent eateries. The company studied how the sauce performed in high-heat wok cooking, its ability to deliver the signature dark glossy finish associated with Indo-Chinese cuisine, and its capacity to retain rich umami during cooking.
Based on this feedback, the company refined three key attributes. The sauce now delivers a darker natural colour without artificial colouring, a richer flavour profile designed to enhance ingredients, and improved viscosity that allows better coating of noodles, rice and other ingredients while offering greater ease of handling in commercial kitchens.
Commenting on the relaunch, Kinya Igarashi, Product Manager for Kikkoman Dark Soy Sauce, said the product was developed through close collaboration with chefs working in professional kitchens across India. He added that the company remained committed to delivering a naturally brewed product free from artificial colours, preservatives and flavourings while meeting the expectations of the Indian foodservice industry.
The revamped sauce has also received positive feedback from industry professionals. Joel Huang, owner-chef of Kolkata-based Eau Chew, described the product as offering superior umami, natural colour and consistency, saying it enhances the flavour and presentation of dishes while meeting the demands of commercial kitchens.
The relaunched Kikkoman Dark Soy Sauce is being rolled out across India through foodservice distributors and wholesale channels. It is available in 446g, 913g and 11.2kg packs, targeting restaurants, hotels and institutional kitchens.
