Oyster sauce is a popular ingredient in Asian cuisine, especially in Vietnamese, Thai and Cantonese. It has a balanced taste between sweet and salty, with a rich, earthy undertone, thanks to the oyster extracts. It is a good source of protein and gives food a characteristic aroma and taste. Oyster sauce has a wide range of uses as a dressing for noodles, vegetables, in fried foods or as a basis for processing sauces and marinades. It is a major ingredient in popular Chinese beef and broccoli dishes. It is often transported over sushi for better taste and visual appeal.