# Can you buy Chinese restaurant style sweet and sour sauce? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 21, 2015, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155 "2015-09-21T22:23:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2015, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155/1 "2015-09-21T22:23:00Z")
Both of the sweet and sour sauces our local grocery stores carry in the Asian foods section contain bell peppers, which most certainly aren’t in the type of sweet and sour sauces you get at a Chinese food place around here. :dubious: Unsurprisingly, neither tastes anything like the sauce I want, either. Is there a commercially available sweet and sour sauce that doesn’t contain any kind of peppers but \*does \*contain pineapple and maybe cherry? ---
**Author:** ![boffking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/858c86/32.png) [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2015, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155/2 "2015-09-21T22:32:20Z")
I would ask a restaurant supply store. ---
**Author:** ![Ornery\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/da6949/32.png) [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2015, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155/3 "2015-09-21T22:52:22Z")
I would ask the restaurant. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2015, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155/4 "2015-09-21T23:54:35Z")
Duck Sauce is much closer, also orange source for ducks. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155/5 "2015-09-22T00:50:22Z")
When I make sweet-sour dishes at home I don’t use any sort of bottled sweet-sour sauce. I’m not sure whether restaurants do or not. I don’t often order sweet-sour dishes at restaurants because I find them much too sweet for my taste. I did find two brands of bottled sauce with no peppers, but I have no idea if they taste the way you want them to. Ka-Me brand Sweet & Sour Sauce has no peppers unless you count “Paprika Color”. The ingredients are "Water, Sugar, Vinegar, Pineapple, Modified Potato Starch, Salt, Tomato Paste, Onion, Paprika Color. " [cite](http://www.walmart.com/ip/17768847?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227015522351&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40886895392&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=78817826672&veh=sem) Ah-So brand Sweet + Sour Sauce has the ingredients "Water, Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Apricots and/or Peaches, Vinegar, Modified Corn Starch, Salt, Spices, Sodium Benzoate (Preservatives), Potassium Sorbate and Sulphur Dioxide (Preservatives). " [cite](http://www.wegmans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=797607&storeId=10052&langId=-1) ---
**Author:** ![SpyOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@SpyOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpyOne)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155/6 "2015-09-22T00:58:54Z")
While it is possible that the restaurant is making the sauce, it is more likely they are buying it from a foodservice distributor. Now, one could just approach the restaurant and say, “I really like the sweet & sour sauce you use and would like to use it when cooking at home, could I buy a gallon from you?”. They should be receptive to that (that’s how Chef Boyardee got started), And that works even if they make the sauce themselves. (Make it clear you are willing to come back in a week, in case they’d need to order more supplies to be able to spare a gallon of sauce). But perhaps you don’t want the restaurant to know you are buying the sauce. In my experience, it is fairly easy to find out the foodservice distributor used by most restaurants. Boxes of paper products and cups, for example, will often have the company name in huge letters. But for Chinese food, even the delivery trucks are often marked only in Chinese characters, which I can’t read. If they get their stuff from a company like Sysco, or US Foodservice, you can try to find another restaurant that uses the same company, then approach them ans ask if they will special order some of that sauce for you. When I worked in a restaurant we ordered a number of items that we resold directly to employees and did not otherwise use or sell, like hot dogs or bulk cinnamon. Or if you are lucky enough that the company is local, they will usually sell stuff rright out of the warehouse. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155/7 "2015-09-22T03:15:59Z")
I made [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=719158&highlight=sweet) a while back asking about McDonalds condiment ripoffs. There was a thread [linked](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=420777) in there that was even bigger that had some advice on chinese sweet and sour sauce ripoffs. If you are looking for something that tastes like McDonalds sweet and sour sauce (did you mean that flavor or something else?) then [this](http://www.amazon.com/Taste-Pleasers-Gourmet-Sweet-1-Ounce/dp/B0025ULY7G?tag=viglink20265-20)is a near identical match. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155/8 "2015-09-22T03:42:43Z")
Let’s move this over to Cafe Society. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155/9 "2015-09-22T04:34:52Z")
[FWIW, here is a recipe for making your own.](http://www.food.com/recipe/the-best-sweet-and-sour-sauce-76003) It looks easy enough, even a clumsy schlub like me could make it. This way, you can add whatever goop you want, alter the ratios, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155/10 "2015-09-22T05:26:24Z")
I’m guessing the OP is asking about the red sweet and sour sauce you usually find in restaurants but rarely see in stores. It’s not duck sauce. It’s a bright red color and it’s smoother and thinner. I think [World Harbors Sweet n Sour sauce](http://www.amazon.com/World-Harbors-Sauce-Sweet-Sour/dp/B0005Z76W0/ref=sr_1_20?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1442899373&sr=1-20) is pretty close. If you can’t find that, you might try [La Choy](http://www.amazon.com/Choy-Sweet-Sour-Sauce-10-Ounce/dp/B00032E1J6/ref=sr_1_2?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1442899524&sr=1-2) brand. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155/11 "2015-09-22T06:14:18Z")
There might be a base mix or syrup for it available in bulk, but it’s such a simple recipe that I suspect it’s nearly always made from scratch - that and the fact that it’s thickened with cornstarch (which means it would be set to a thick gel when cold and therefore hard to pour out and reheat. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155/12 "2015-09-22T06:16:57Z")
It does congeal overnight in the fridge, forming little lumps. It’s still entirely yummy that way – Chinese and Italian foods are nearly as wonderful cold as leftovers as they are hot and fresh! – but it is kinda gross to look at. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155/13 "2015-09-22T06:33:53Z")
The stuff I’ve had sets to a block of rubbery gel in the pot when it cools on the counter - before it’s even refrigerated - I guess it depends on the amount of cornstarch used to thicken it (or maybe other places might be using arrowroot or potato starch or some other thickener such as a food gum) ---
**Author:** ![Disgruntled\_Penguin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@Disgruntled\_Penguin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disgruntled_Penguin)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155/14 "2015-09-22T09:02:17Z")
> [@SpyOne](#): > > While it is possible that the restaurant is making the sauce, it is more likely they are buying it from a foodservice distributor. > > Now, one could just approach the restaurant and say, “I really like the sweet & sour sauce you use and would like to use it when cooking at home, could I buy a gallon from you?”. They should be receptive to that (that’s how Chef Boyardee got started), And that works even if they make the sauce themselves. (Make it clear you are willing to come back in a week, in case they’d need to order more supplies to be able to spare a gallon of sauce). I never knew Chef Boyardee got started selling sweet & sour sauce. Do you know when he switched to Italian dishes and why? ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155/15 "2015-09-22T10:42:34Z")
I think I paid like a dollar for an 8oz cup of it at my local Chinese joint. Most of those places are individually owned. Just tell the owner you want a whole mess of it and you’re willing to pay. I guarantee he won’t turn you away. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155/16 "2015-09-22T12:52:23Z")
It takes little to disgruntle a penguin. :dubious: 1/4 cup rice vinegar, OR 1/8 cup rice vinegar and 1/8 cup wine. 3 tablespoons brown sugar. Soy sauce and some form of hot sauce to taste. Red food coloring, 2 drops optional. Mix 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch with a small amount of water, add when the other ingredients are warm in the pan, stir often so that it does not become lumpy. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155/17 "2015-09-22T13:20:27Z")
On a related note, you can purchase [Yum Yum sauce](http://http://www.wegmans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=751086&storeId=10052&langId=-1)! I’ve gotten it at WalMart. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155/18 "2015-09-22T14:13:59Z")
I’d go with Lee Kum Kee’s sweet and sour sauce. Nothing but a bit of paprika, which I bet is for color. [http://www.wegmans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=793175&storeId=10052&langId=-1](http://www.wegmans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=793175&storeId=10052&langId=-1) ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155/19 "2015-09-23T01:17:51Z")
> [@Ornery\_Bob](#): > > I would ask the restaurant. Particularly since every chinese restaurant I’ve been to seems to have its own take on S&S, so how’s anyone here to know if a store carried brand matches your particular favorite chinese place? ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155/20 "2015-09-23T03:48:43Z")
Oh, lord. [I’d just started to put this thread out of my mind.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=757619) You’re first going to have to figure out what you mean by “sweet and sour sauce”. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-buy-chinese-restaurant-style-sweet-and-sour-sauce/732155.md?page=2)