NEW DELHI, July 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Kikkoman is proud to announce the relaunch of Kikkoman Dark Soy Sauce, which was developed specifically for India and has now been further refined to an even higher level based on input from chefs across India.
The result is an ideal culinary finish that showcases Kikkoman’s natural honjozo brewing process.
Colour, taste and consistency have been enhanced in the enhanced sauce that will take Indo-Chinese and Pan-Asian cuisine across India to unprecedented heights. The new, updated version is a direct response to the Indian market’s growing demand for premium quality. It supports both Kikkoman’s proprietary brewing technology and its commitment to the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Background of the relaunch: a ‘Kitchen-First’ innovation, developed in collaboration with local chefs
Since the first launch of its dark soy sauce, which was widely received, Kikkoman has not sat back. The company has been energetically gathering feedback nationwide from chefs working in the bustling kitchens of local restaurant chains and independent eateries, rather than relying solely on internal research and development.
By observing professional chefs at work, Kikkoman examined three key elements: how well the sauce adheres to the ingredients in a roaring, high-heat wok; To what extent does it impart a shiny, rich, dark and glossy color to food when heated; and To what extent does it retain the deep umami and complexity that characterize Kikkoman Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce?
Kikkoman incorporated the information into the final product specifications. The result is a sauce of jaw-dropping perfection, created with working chefs on India’s culinary frontlines. It is based on three major changes:
Colour: Without deviating from Kikkoman’s ‘no artificial colours’ principle, the new sauce has an even more attractive and intense dark color that is essential to achieve the signature look of Indochinese cuisine.
Taste: Kikkoman’s signature naturally brewed soy sauce is already praised for its rich umami. Now that flavor profile has been further deepened. The flavor balance has been carefully calibrated to maximize the natural flavors of the ingredients and add depth and complexity to each dish.
Coherence: By optimizing the viscosity of the sauce, it delivers an even higher level of culinary performance. It now adheres flawlessly to ingredients including rice and noodles. For chefs, it offers ease of use during high-speed cooking, combined with an elegant, beautifully coated final presentation.
“This innovation is truly the result of ‘co-creation’ between Indian chefs and Kikkoman,” the company said Mr. Kinya Igarashi, Product Manager for Kikkoman Dark Soy Sauce. “We visited the kitchens of local restaurant chains, asked chefs to test our prototypes on their actual menu items, and repeatedly refined the color, flavor and thickness based on their real-time responses.”
Mr. Igarashi said: “Kikkoman was proud to have developed this product to a quality that carries the approval of culinary professionals, while staying true to the company’s core concept: a dark soy sauce that is free of artificial colors and preservatives.”
“We look forward to this new sauce establishing itself as the definitive new standard for dark soy sauce in India,” he added.
There is praise for the new sauce from all sides. Mr. Joel Huang, Owner-chef of Eau Chew (Kolkata) – India’s oldest family-run Chinese restaurant – was delighted with the results. “Kikkoman’s new dark soy sauce is in a completely different league from anything that has come before in India. What surprised me most is the extraordinary umami and depth of flavor. Despite being a natural sauce – with no artificial colours, artificial additives or artificial flavors – Kikkoman’s new dark soy sauce achieves the rich, dark color and ideal consistency that I am looking for.”
Mr. Huang added, “Our regular, discerning customers love our food, even as this sauce dramatically improves the overall taste of our dishes. I believe it will set a new standard for the Indian foodservice industry in the future.”
Product overview
Name: Kikkoman Dark Soy Sauce (Renewed Version)
Pack size variations: 446g / 913g / 11.2kg
Target market: Commercial food service market
Country of production: India (with Kikkoman naturally brewed soy sauce from Japan as the main ingredient. Fully compliant with the ‘Make in India’ initiative)
Release schedule: rolling transition from June 2026
Distribution Channels: Foodservice distributors and wholesale channels across India
About Kikkoman and Kikkoman India
With a history of more than 350 years and based in Japan, the current Kikkoman business entity was founded through the merger of eight families in 1917. The company’s internationalization strategy began almost 70 years ago with its entry into the US market. Kikkoman has become a global company, expanding to more than 100 countries, with 11 soy sauce production locations around the world that distribute its products to millions of consumers. Kikkoman India is solely responsible for importing all Kikkoman products and manages all manufacturing, marketing, sales and distribution in India.
Press Contact
Chavi Singh
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+91 86554 21677
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