Lee Kum Kee Premium Oyster Sauce is considered to be the best tasting oyster sauce by far (by industry insiders and consumers). This is the original, truly. The Lee family literally invented oyster sauce. Grandpa Lee was making oyster soup and accidentally cooked it down to a thick liquid and that's how it was invented (its main ingredient is concentrated slow cooked oysters). Oyster sauce is a must-have condiment for cooking nearly every one of today's Chinese & Cantonese food dishes (that have sauce) and for a good reason. It imparts a unique flavor that can't be imitated by any other flavoring or condiment. Not sure what they used before this was invented more than 120 years ago, but we're sure glad they use it now.