Best Asian sauces and condiments for the outdoors

Outdoor cooking has its challenges. One of them is to cook meals that are as flavorful as possible. Since outdoor cooks have by definition no access to their home kitchens, they need to be more creative and intentional in their choices of condiments. Are you a camper perfectly satisfied by just salt and pepper? If yes, you can pass this article. However, if you want more flavors, more excitement, and happy, well-fed campers, read about some of the best Asian cuisine condiments, and sauces you could pack.

1- Hoisin Sauce: it’s an equivalent of American barbecue sauce, but it’s a rich Chinese bean sauce. It’s made from fermented soybeans, garlic, vinegar, and sugar. It’s a great choice for the outdoors because it can be used with so many dishes, from stir-fries to soups. Ideal for vegetarians since it’s not made from animal products.

2-Tamari: It’s a Japanese soy sauce that is less sweet and salty than many other soy sauces. But its great advantage is it’s gluten-free, perfect for gluten intolerant outdoor people. Use in your rice, your noodles, with meats, and of course, tofu!

3- Fish sauce: is made with fish fermented in sea salt and water. Sure, it has a strong smel,l but the advantage is you won’t need to add much salt to your dish since it’s already so salty and flavorful. Just make sure to not use it inadvertently as a bear attractant!

4-Rice vinegar: made from fermented rice, it’s used a lot in Japanese, Chinese and Korean cuisine and it’s perfect for those campers who like to eat fresh vegetables or salads because it can be used as a dipping sauce.

5-Sesame oil: is also a great vinaigrette choice for those who like salads and fresh vegetables. But it’s also a perfect addition to soups. Did you know it could also be used to heal your wounds and burns? Talk about a multipurpose condiment!

6-Oyster sauce: Often used in Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, Malay, and Khmer cuisines. it’s made from concentrated oyster broth, as well as starch, salt, sugar, caramel. It's salty-sweet, so it could be a tasty addition to anything you are frying.

7-Gochujang: a Korean delicacy, especially useful for those who love salads, stews, and of course sandwiches! It’s getting more and more popular in many countries, and there is a good reason for that. Try it on your next trip!

8-Xo sauce: It’s like a relish and is an essential ingredient of Cantonese cuisine. It’s a mix of dried seafood, onions, garlic, and oil. It will do magic on any flavor-poor camping dish. Cook with it, or add as a condiment.

9-Banana Ketchup: is a mix of mashed bananas, vinegar, and spices. It’s used a lot in Filipino cuisine today. Perfect addition to your pasta dishes.

10-Tamarind sauce: very much liked in Southeast Asian countries, it has a strong, piquant flavor, and is often used in soups.