SOY SAUCE!

Dip into the savory world of a beloved condiment.

“What does it take to make life…delicious?” The rich umami flavors of soy sauce, of course! In effervescent verse, three East Asian–presenting children share different ways of making the delectable condiment. Luan pops open soybeans to make a traditional Chinese soy sauce. Haru combines soy with toasty wheat for a Japanese variety. For spicy and sweet Korean flavors, Yoo-mi “mixes in jujubes and chilis.” Lee’s lively watercolor illustrations of the children gleefully celebrating each stage of the long process pair beautifully with the upbeat text for an informative, engaging story. Skillfully weaving together three different styles of making soy sauce, the author highlights the power of the ingredient to unite people and cultures. Mouthwatering depictions of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean dishes showcase the sauce’s contributions to Asian cuisine. Some of the rhymes are a bit tenuous, but the infectious enthusiasm that permeates the pages makes for a fun read-aloud. Some of the text is rendered in glossy, flowing soy sauce, which, along with the use of onomatopoeia, adds a whimsical touch and a sensory dimension to the reading experience. The book concludes with a history of the condiment, information on varieties from different East Asian and Southeast Asian countries, and a visual glossary.

A joyful ode to soy sauce that’s delicious to the last drop.