Soy sauce can usually be found in the international or Asian foods aisle of most grocery stores. However, the exact location may vary by store. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at where to find soy sauce in some of the most popular grocery store chains.
Checking the International/Asian Foods Aisle
The most obvious place to look for soy sauce would be in the international or Asian foods aisle. This is where you’ll find other popular Asian ingredients like sesame oil, rice vinegar, seaweed, curry pastes, etc. Even smaller grocery stores that don’t have a fully dedicated international section will often have a small Asian foods area here.
Large Grocery Store Chains
In large mainstream grocery store chains like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, etc. you’ll typically find soy sauce in the Asian/International foods aisle. This section will include other sauces and condiments like:
- Fish sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Rice vinegar
- Sesame oil
- Curry pastes
- Mirin
- Chili garlic sauce
- Gochujang
There will usually be several options and varieties of soy sauce to choose from. You’ll see familiar brands like Kikkoman along with store brands and more authentic styles like Chinese light and dark soy sauce.
Smaller Grocery Chains
In smaller regional supermarket chains, the international section may just be a single aisle or a couple short aisles. But this is still the first spot to look for soy sauce. You’ll find it alongside other popular Asian pantry staples. The selection may be more limited compared to a huge mainstream grocery store.
Asian/International Supermarkets
In a supermarket specializing in Asian or international foods, you’ll have a huge selection of soy sauces to browse. These stores stock soy sauce from many different countries – you’ll find Japanese soy sauce (koikuchi shoyu), Chinese light and dark soy sauce, Vietnamese soy sauce (nước tương), and more. You can also choose between mass market brands like Kikkoman or Lee Kum Kee and small-batch artisanal producers. The soy sauce aisle in an Asian market is a soy lover’s paradise!
Checking the Condiments Aisle
While the international foods aisle is the most common place to find it, soy sauce may also be stocked in the regular condiments aisle alongside mainstream American staples like ketchup, mustard, mayo, etc. This is more likely in smaller stores where there isn’t room for a separate Asian section.
Small Grocery Stores
In a small corner shop, bodega, mini-mart, or gas station food mart, check the aisle with other condiments and sauces. You’ll see soy sauce bottled alongside familiar items like:
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayonnaise
- Hot Sauce
- BBQ sauce
- Steak sauce
- Duck sauce
- Buffalo sauce
There will probably only be one or two options for soy sauce in this case – most likely a major mass market brand like Kikkoman. But you can still find it tucked on the shelves with other common household condiments.
Mainstream Grocery Stores
Even in large mainstream supermarkets, you may find soy sauce stocked in the regular condiments aisle. This is sometimes done in addition to the Asian section. The reasoning is that soy sauce is now considered a common pantry staple, like ketchup or mustard, rather than an obscure ethnic ingredient. So stores want to make it easy for shoppers to grab their usual Kikkoman or San-J alongside the Heinz and French’s.
Checking Near Produce
Less commonly, you may find soy sauce shelved in or near the fresh produce department. This is more typical in health food-focused stores.
Co-ops and Natural Food Stores
In co-ops, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and similar natural or health food stores, soy sauce may be stocked near the fresh produce. At Whole Foods for instance, it’s usually located in the “condiments and sauces” section which is adjacent to fruits and vegetables. You can grab your soy sauce on the way to picking up fresh ginger, garlic, veggies, etc.
The reasoning here is that soy sauce is seen as a “fresh” ingredient often used in cooking or seasoning vegetable dishes, stir fries, etc. So stores position it closer to its common use cases.
Mainstream Grocery Stores
Even regular supermarkets may also duplicate some soy sauce over by produce. For instance, you may find Kikkoman soy sauce with the regular condiments and again by the veggies. This enables easy access for shoppers looking to quickly grab some on the way to pick up ingredients for a stir fry meal.
Checking by Oil and Vinegar
Finally, another spot you may find soy sauce in grocery stores is on the aisle with oils, vinegars, salad dressings, marinades, etc. This is typically in addition to the international or condiments sections.
The reason for this is that soy sauce is commonly used as an ingredient in cooked dishes, dressings, marinades, and dipping sauces. So stores also stock it near these complementary products to spur recipe inspiration.
Use in Dressings and Marinades
A few drops of soy sauce can add savory umami flavor to vinaigrettes, salad dressings, and marinades. You’ll see it on the shelves alongside products like:
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Rice vinegar
- Sesame oil
- Teriyaki marinade
- Italian dressing
This prompts shoppers to grab a bottle of soy to create their own marinades and dressings at home.
Use in Dipping Sauces
Soy sauce is also a key ingredient in many dipping sauces served alongside dishes like summer rolls, dumplings, tempura, etc. So grocers stock it near:
- Fish sauce
- Hot chili oil
- Hoisin sauce
- Plum sauce
- Duck sauce
- Sweet & sour sauce
To inspire shoppers to whip up their own dipping sauces for Asian-inspired meals.
Checking Near Specialty Foods
One final spot you may find soy sauce in stores is on shelves near other specialty culinary products like:
- Fish sauce
- Mirin
- Rice vinegar
- Sesame oil
- Oyster sauce
- Hoisin
- Thai curry pastes
- Gochujang
- Kimchi
This is often in the back corner of stores or in a separate gourmet/specialty foods section. Soy sauce is merchandised alongside these complementary ingredients for Asian cooking.
Asking for Assistance
If you still can’t locate the soy sauce after checking all the likely aisles, don’t hesitate to ask a store employee for assistance. Describe what you’re looking for, and they’ll happily point you in the right direction!
Grocery store staff are very accustomed to helping customers find particular ingredients like soy sauce. With their knowledge of that store’s exact layout, they can swiftly take you to the correct spot.
Conclusion
While soy sauce may be stocked in several different locations depending on the store, the international/Asian aisle is the most common spot to begin your search. If you don’t see it there alongside other Asian pantry staples, next check the condiments aisle or areas by produce, vinegar, and specialty foods. With the help of staff if needed, you’ll be able to track down a bottle of soy in no time!