What is Yondu Seasoning?
vegan seasoning
Made of fermented soybean essence + vegetable broth.
“Yondu is a calorie-free, all-natural liquid seasoning” made by the Korean soy sauce company Sempio. With over 60 years experience fermenting soybeans for soy sauce, they’ve taken their expertise to create a flavour-enhancing product that is completely free of added MSG.
How do you use Yondu seasoning?
Yondu seasoning is used to emphasize the umami flavours of food. Instead of adding salt to taste you can add this instead. Whenever a savoury dish feels a little bland, it can use some Yondu. The fermented soybean component adds umami to marinades or salad dressings. It’s also a shortcut to vegetable broth ( Sempio recommends 1tsp for every 2 cups). Try adding a teaspoon to pasta sauce. Get the gist?
Types of Yondu
green
The mild version- adds a touch a umami, ideal for salads or namul banchan (herb side dish seasoning)
Ingredients: Fermented soybean extract, sea salt, vegetable broth concentrate (Onion, Korean radish), naturally occurring fermented spirits, fermented yeast.
Although you can utilize any of the Yondu products for all types of cooking, it’s suggested to use this mild version for seasoning food with more delicate flavours (leafy greens, clear soups, stir-fried rice) because it may be overpowered in richer foods (marinated meats, fish like mackerel, kimchi stew).
orange
The “Original”, all-purpose formulation.
Ingredients: Fermented soybean extract, sea salt, vegetable broth concentrate (Onion, ginger), naturally occurring fermented spirits, fermented yeast.
This orange container is recommended for all types of cooking. Ensure to reduce amounts of other seasonings (like soy sauce or salt) when using Yondu.
yellow
Marketed especially for kids.
Ingredients: Fermented soybean extract, sea salt, vegetable broth concentrate (Carrot, Shiitake mushrooms, Korean radish, Napa cabbage), naturally occurring fermented spirits, yeast extract.
It uses non-GMO, 100% Korean soybeans and is gluten-free so is especially recommended for children and people with food sensitivities.
red
Enhances spicy flavours.
Ingredients: Fermented soybean extract, sea salt, refined salt, vegetable broth concentrate (CheongYang Korean spicy pepper, onion, garlic, ginger, leeks), spicy pepper & onion broth, fermented alcohol, spicy chili pepper seasoning.
This is obviously made for spice-addicts like OPPA. It seems to contain the most ingredients, with the only one with added spicy chili seasoning.
* Naturally occurring fermented spirits are a natural (unavoidable) alcohol by-product in any fermentation process.
“vegetable umami”
Created for the overseas English-speaking market.
Ingredients: Fermented soybean extract (Organic, non-GMO), vegetable broth concentrate (Onion, white radish, leeks, cabbage, carrots, Shiitake mushrooms, ginger, garlic), yeast extract.
Marketed as “plant-rich” and promoting soybean’s superior protein levels (almost 3x more than meat!), it positions itself as a natural, healthy seasoning alternative.
Sempio has collaborated with the Alicia Culinary Research Foundation (founded by chef Ferran Adria) to study Yondu’s versatility in foods of different cultures. As a result (apparently), some of the best restaurants in the world are using this in their kitchens (no examples listed).
Where can I buy Yondu?
You can find the English-labelled Yondu, or the Original Orange, Mild Green or Spicy Red on Amazon, although at the time of writing, not all varieties are available. You can also buy the English-labelled Yondu in bulk (6 bottles/case) and save 20% from their Yondu.us website.
Who is Yondu for?
Some reviews claim this is like a magic potion to amplify the deliciousness of dishes.
Good for beginner cooks.
Good for busy cooks.
Good for those who love cooking hacks and shortcuts (add Yondu to boiling water to have a flavourful vegetable broth in no time).
Good for those who like a full arsenal of seasonings.
Yondu, the conclusion
I think this is a good seasoning alternative if you are vegetarian, vegan or are enthusiastic about eating more plant-based foods. This is made to be used as an easy-to-use, all-purpose seasoning to add some excitement to a boring meal. Think of it like the Asian version of what Mrs. Dash does, or the non-MSG version of the Maggi all-purpose seasoning.
This is marketed as a health product (natural ingredients, natural fermentation), so you can feel good about using it? I do have some reservations to just how healthy a commercially-made product can really be, but it does have fermented beans and vegetables extracts, which can’t be a bad thing, I guess.
This won’t replace soy sauce or salt, but it may help you use less.
Have you tried it? What are your thoughts on it?