Poon's London WO Sauce 130g

WO Sauce

Poon’s London WO Sauce 130g is a modern British take on classic Hong Kong XO sauce. Inspired by the luxurious seafood and ham based condiment created in the 1980s, this version swaps hard to source dried scallops and Jinhua ham for salted shrimp and Poon’s own wind dried bacon, made to a family recipe since 1970. The result is a deeply savoury, gently spicy Chinese chilli sauce with layers of sweet, salty and tangy flavour.

Awarded one star at the Great Taste Awards in 2023, WO Sauce has been praised for its balance and depth. It delivers warmth without overwhelming heat, making it incredibly versatile in everyday cooking. The texture is rich and spoonable, packed with finely chopped ingredients that give it body and intensity. It is the kind of umami rich condiment that transforms simple food into something memorable.

Spoon it over fried eggs on steamed jasmine rice with a splash of soy sauce and spring onions for an instant Chinese comfort dish. Add a dollop to noodles, dumplings or dim sum. Spread it on a buttered bagel, melt it into a cheese toastie or brush it over pizza before baking. It works just as well stirred through fried rice, pasta, stews or ragus. If you are looking for a premium XO style sauce made in the UK with real character, WO Sauce is a jar worth keeping close to the hob.

Key Features:

• 130g jar
• Great Taste Award one star winner 2023.
• Made with salted shrimp and Poon’s wind dried bacon.
• Inspired by traditional Hong Kong XO sauce.
• Rich umami flavour with balanced warmth.
• Crafted in small batches in the UK.

Recipe Inspiration:

• Fried egg rice bowl with WO Sauce: Top steamed jasmine rice with a crisp edged fried egg, a spoonful of WO Sauce and chopped spring onions for a quick, satisfying supper.
• Shellfish spaghetti with chilli and garlic: Stir a spoonful through cooked spaghetti with prawns, olive oil and parsley for a seafood pasta with depth and gentle heat.
• WO fried rice: Add to day old rice with leftover roast pork or chicken, peas and spring onions for a savoury, restaurant style fried rice at home.
• Cheese toastie with a kick: Spread a thin layer inside a cheddar toastie before grilling so the heat releases its savoury aroma into the melted cheese.

What is the difference between WO Sauce and traditional XO sauce?

Traditional XO sauce uses dried scallops and Jinhua ham for its base. WO Sauce replaces these with salted shrimp and wind dried bacon, giving it a similar savoury depth but with a slightly smokier, more rounded flavour profile suited to British kitchens.

Why is XO sauce considered a luxury condiment?

XO sauce earned its reputation because it was originally made with expensive dried seafood and premium cured ham, ingredients associated with banquet cooking in Hong Kong. Its complex preparation and concentrated flavour meant it was used sparingly, more like a finishing condiment than a standard cooking sauce.

How much WO Sauce should you use in cooking?

Because it is highly concentrated, a small spoonful is usually enough to flavour an entire dish for two to four people. Start with a teaspoon, taste, and add more if needed to avoid overpowering other ingredients.

Ingredients:

Rapeseed Oil, Onion, Tomato, Shrimp (22%) (Shrimp (CRUSTACEAN), Salt, Sugar, Vinegar), Sugar, Garlic, Wind-dried Bacon (4%) (Pork, Sugar, Pork Fat, Salt, Dark SOYA Sauce (Water, Salt, SOYBEANS, WHEAT Flour, Colours: E150a, E150c, Flavour Enhancer: E621, Sugar, Stabiliser: E415, Rose Liqueur, Spices, Preservative:E250), Chilli Flakes, Taekyung Red Pepper Powder.

Allergens highlighted in BOLD.

Please be aware that ingredients, including allergens, are subject to change. At Infusions4chefs, we consistently update our product database and strive to provide accurate allergen information for each product. If you have concerns about allergens, we strongly advise checking the product label before using it.