peking sauce: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowCulinary, Informal, Menu/Recipe
Quick answer
What does “peking sauce” mean?
A dark, sweet, tangy, and savory Chinese sauce typically made from fermented wheat, soybeans, sugar, vinegar, and spices, originally associated with dishes from Beijing (Peking), such as Peking duck.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dark, sweet, tangy, and savory Chinese sauce typically made from fermented wheat, soybeans, sugar, vinegar, and spices, originally associated with dishes from Beijing (Peking), such as Peking duck.
A culinary term referring broadly to the characteristic sweet bean-based glaze used in Northern Chinese cuisine, particularly for roasted meats, which has been adapted internationally and is now often synonymous with 'hoisin sauce' in many Western contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the term 'Peking sauce' is moderately common on restaurant menus, often linked to 'Peking duck'. In the US, 'hoisin sauce' is the more prevalent supermarket and culinary term, though 'Peking sauce' is understood in Chinese restaurant contexts.
Connotations
Both regions associate it with Chinese takeaway/restaurant food. The UK usage may feel slightly more traditional or menu-specific, while US usage is more integrated into home cooking via the term 'hoisin'.
Frequency
The term is infrequent in general discourse but has moderate frequency in specific culinary contexts. 'Hoisin sauce' is significantly more common in both regions, especially in the US.
Grammar
How to Use “peking sauce” in a Sentence
[Noun] + with + Peking sauce[Verb: brush/glaze/dip] + [Noun] + in Peking sauce[Noun: duck/pancakes] + served with + Peking sauceVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the food service industry, restaurant supply, and menu design.
Academic
Rare; might appear in culinary history, food anthropology, or cultural studies texts.
Everyday
Used in cooking instructions, restaurant ordering, and food discussions.
Technical
Used in professional kitchens, food manufacturing, and recipe development.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “peking sauce”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “peking sauce”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “peking sauce”
- Calling it 'Beijing sauce' in English (Peking is the established romanization for the dish/sauce).
- Confusing it with 'plum sauce', which is fruitier.
- Using it as a general stir-fry sauce like soy sauce (it is thicker, sweeter, and used differently).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In most Western supermarkets and recipes, they are used interchangeably. Historically and in specific regional cuisines, there can be subtle differences, with Peking sauce being the traditional accompaniment for Peking duck.
Yes, simplified versions can be made by combining ingredients like fermented soybean paste (or hoisin), sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, and sometimes garlic or five-spice powder.
Often, yes, as the base is typically fermented soybeans and wheat. However, some recipes or commercial brands might include animal-derived ingredients like oyster sauce or shrimp paste, so it's best to check the label.
Peking sauce is primarily bean-based, savory-sweet, and thick. Plum sauce is fruit-based (from plums or other fruits), tangier, and often has a brighter, fruitier sweetness. They are not direct substitutes.
A dark, sweet, tangy, and savory Chinese sauce typically made from fermented wheat, soybeans, sugar, vinegar, and spices, originally associated with dishes from Beijing (Peking), such as Peking duck.
Peking sauce is usually culinary, informal, menu/recipe in register.
Peking sauce: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpiːˈkɪŋ ˈsɔːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpiˈkɪŋ ˈsɔːs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated; it is a concrete culinary term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of PEKing duck – the famous dish from PEKing (Beijing). The sauce that comes with it is PEKing sauce.
Conceptual Metaphor
SAUCE IS A SIGNATURE (it defines and identifies the dish).
Practice
Quiz
What is Peking sauce most commonly associated with?