NIKIGO – Allergy-Friendly Asian Sauces
For people living with food allergies, enjoying East Asian cuisine can present particular challenges. Soy sauce is a fundamental ingredient in many dishes, marinades, dipping sauces and dressings, yet traditional soy sauce commonly contains both soy and wheat. NIKIGO was created to provide an authentic-tasting alternative that opens up many of these flavours to customers who need to avoid soy, gluten and other major allergens.
The NIKIGO Story
NIKIGO was founded by Nicole Gordon, whose family heritage includes Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. After developing multiple serious food allergies as a young adult, Nicole experienced first-hand how difficult it could be to recreate the Asian flavours she had grown up enjoying when soy sauce was no longer an option.
Rather than simply accepting the limitations, she set out to create an alternative that delivered the savoury depth and umami associated with a premium soy sauce, while using a deliberately short and straightforward ingredient list.
The result was NIKIGO Original Soy Free Sauce, developed as a versatile alternative to both soy sauce and tamari.
NIKIGO Original Soy Free Sauce
The Original Sauce is made using fresh mushrooms, sea salt and water. A proprietary process brings out the naturally rich, savoury characteristics of the mushrooms without leaving the finished sauce tasting noticeably of mushroom.
This produces the dark colour, salty-savoury character and rich umami expected from soy sauce, making NIKIGO suitable for use as a like-for-like alternative in a wide variety of dishes.
It can be used as a dipping sauce for sushi and other dishes or incorporated into recipes including stir-fries, marinades, dressings, noodles, rice dishes and teriyaki-style recipes.
NIKIGO states that the Original Sauce contains no soy, gluten, coconut, peas or other legumes and none of the UK top 14 allergens (Sulphites are naturally occurring)(confirm ppm) or the US FDA Top 9 major food allergens. It also contains no artificial preservatives, colours or flavours.
A Focus on Allergen & Ingredient Transparency
One of the particularly positive aspects of the NIKIGO approach is its focus on transparency.
The company defines its products as allergy-friendly because they do not contain any of the US FDA Top 9 major allergens: soy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, milk, egg, fish and crustacean shellfish. or 13 of the UK Top #14 allergens (Sulphites are naturally occurring) NIKIGO also states that it avoids vague ingredients such as unspecified “natural flavours”, helping customers understand more clearly what is actually contained within its products.
NIKIGO publishes information about its manufacturing arrangements and allergen controls. Its website explains that its interim manufacturing partner also handles certain allergens within its facility, but has allergen controls and cleaning procedures in place. NIKIGO states that batches produced through this manufacturing arrangement undergo allergen testing using ELISA assays by accredited lab.
For UK food businesses purchasing imported products, the product specification and current UK-compliant allergen information should always be checked with the supplier before making allergen or free-from claims.
More Than a Soy Sauce Alternative
The NIKIGO range has expanded beyond the Original Sauce, providing further options for creating Asian-inspired dishes while accommodating multiple dietary requirements.
Hawaiian-Style Teriyaki Sauce combines NIKIGO Original Sauce with cane sugar and fresh ginger. It is designed to provide an authentic sweet and savoury teriyaki flavour without soy, gluten, sesame or the other US Top 9 allergens. It can be used for marinades, rice and noodle dishes, vegetables, dressings and dipping sauces.
Noodle Sauce & Broth Concentrate provides a convenient way to introduce rich Asian flavours to noodle dishes and broths. Inspired by Japanese mentsuyu, it can also provide an easy base for vegan ramen-style broths and other soups.
A variety pack is also available, making it possible to explore different applications across the NIKIGO range.
Suitable for Foodservice
The versatility of NIKIGO makes the range particularly interesting for restaurants, hotels, caterers and other foodservice operators looking to broaden the dishes they can offer customers with multiple dietary requirements.
Rather than creating a completely separate recipe, chefs may be able to use NIKIGO in place of conventional soy sauce or tamari within appropriate recipes. This has the potential to help operators develop dishes that can work for a wider customer base while maintaining the flavour and character expected from Asian-inspired cuisine.
Applications include:
- Sushi and dipping sauces
- Stir-fries and noodle dishes
- Marinades and glazes
- Rice dishes
- Salad dressings
- Teriyaki-style dishes
- Soups and broths
- Vegan ramen-style dishes
- Asian-inspired sauces and menu development
The products are made in the USA, and NIKIGO also welcomes enquiries regarding foodservice and bulk ingredient requirements.
