zyu1 jau4朱油

Jyutpingzyu1 jau4

Yalejyū yàuh

Definition

A type of dark soy sauce.

colloquialfood

How it's used

朱油 is a specific term for dark soy sauce, which is primarily used for adding color to dishes rather than for its saltiness. It is distinct from 生抽, which is light soy sauce used for seasoning and flavor. You will often see it used in braised dishes or claypot rice to achieve that signature deep brown appearance.

Examples

zyu2煮ni1呢go3個sung3餸jiu3要lok6落siu2少siu2少zyu1朱jau4油sin1先gau3夠sik1色。

You need to add a little dark soy sauce to this dish to get the right color.

nei5你maai5買zo2咗zyu1朱jau4油mei6未aa4呀？

Have you bought the dark soy sauce yet?

Common phrases

lok6落zyu1朱jau4油

add dark soy sauce

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 老抽, which is the more common term for dark soy sauce in many regions; while they refer to the same thing, 朱油 is a more localized or traditional way to refer to it in certain contexts.