Is Soy Sauce Halal?

The verdictIt depends

It depends on the type of soy sauce and on your view of alcohol that forms naturally during fermentation. Naturally brewed soy sauce, like standard Kikkoman, ends up with about 1–3% alcohol because it ferments for months. Nobody adds that alcohol. Most scholars say this small amount is fine because it cannot make anyone drunk. Stricter halal bodies, especially in the Gulf countries, want certification when alcohol is above about 0.5%. Halal-certified soy sauce and tamari are sold.

Last checked: June 28, 20263 sources checked

HalalVouch presents evidence and does not issue religious rulings — you decide.

The short answer

The soybeans, wheat and salt in soy sauce are not a problem. The question is the small amount of alcohol that forms naturally while soy sauce ferments. Whether that makes soy sauce halal depends on which scholarly view you follow, and certified brands are available.

Why does soy sauce contain alcohol?

Naturally brewed soy sauce ferments for several months. During that time, tiny microbes break down the soybeans and wheat. This process makes about 1–3% alcohol by weight as a side effect.

Nobody adds this alcohol. It is the same kind of natural trace that forms in bread dough, vinegar and very ripe fruit. It is not wine or any other intoxicating drink, which Islamic law calls khamr.

What do scholars say about soy sauce?

Most scholars focus on whether something can make you drunk. Soy sauce is used by the spoonful and cooked, so it cannot.

The permitting view. Many scholars say a small amount of alcohol that forms naturally and cannot make anyone drunk is not khamr. They reason about it in much the same way as they do about vinegar.

The cautious view. Some halal bodies, especially in the Gulf countries, want any product with more than about 0.5% alcohol to be certified before they accept it. The UAE has even removed some soy sauces from stores because of their alcohol content.

Does it matter where you buy soy sauce?

In Southeast Asia and the Middle East, Kikkoman and other brands sell halal-certified soy sauce with JAKIM or MUI halal symbols.
In the United States and Europe, the usual naturally brewed bottle is not halal-certified, because of the fermentation alcohol.
Chemically made soy sauce, sometimes called hydrolyzed soy sauce, is not fermented, so it has no alcohol. You should still check its other ingredients.

How can you check a bottle of soy sauce?

Look for a halal symbol such as JAKIM, MUI or IFANCA.
If the label says "naturally brewed," the soy sauce probably contains some fermentation alcohol.
Tamari and certain other products are certified halal, which makes them a safe choice.

What can you use instead?

You can use halal-certified soy sauce, certified tamari, or coconut aminos. Coconut aminos contain no soy and no fermentation alcohol.

Common questions

Is Kikkoman soy sauce halal?

The standard naturally brewed Kikkoman sold in Western countries is not halal-certified, because fermentation makes 1–3% alcohol. Kikkoman also makes halal-certified versions with JAKIM or MUI symbols for Muslim countries.

Does soy sauce contain alcohol?

Naturally brewed soy sauce contains about 1–3% alcohol, which forms during fermentation. Nobody adds it.