Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sim Sim Food Studio?

Sim Sim Food Studio is a Melbourne sauce brand that brings Chinatown-inspired flavour to everyday home cooking. All four sauces are made in Melbourne. Chinatown-inspired. Melbourne-crafted.

What does the name “Sim Sim” mean?

“Sim Sim” combines Simple and Simulation: the idea of making it simpler to recreate the techniques and flavours of experienced chefs at home.

Is 醤坊 the same brand as 醬坊 / 酱坊?

Yes — the same brand, Sim Sim Food Studio. 醤 is the Japanese kanji used in our official brand form 醤坊; 醬 (Traditional) and 酱 (Simplified) are the standard Chinese characters, which Chinese media and searchers often use instead. Every form points to the one Melbourne-based sauce studio.

Who shared the recipes behind Sim Sim Food Studio?

Our recipes were shared by Uncle Fung Hung, a veteran chef with more than 40 years of experience in Melbourne’s Chinatown kitchens. We are honoured to carry forward his culinary knowledge through our sauces.

Why was Sim Sim Food Studio created?

Sim Sim Food Studio was created to help preserve and share flavours shaped by Melbourne Chinatown’s culinary heritage. We hope every bottle makes those flavours easy to enjoy at home.

Are Sim Sim sauces made in Australia?

Yes. The four sauces are made in Melbourne, Australia; they are not imported finished products.

What makes Sim Sim Food Studio different?

Sim Sim Food Studio pairs chef-inspired recipes with carefully selected ingredients and approachable, everyday uses. Our aim is to make deeply layered sauces easy to enjoy in home cooking.

Which sauces does Sim Sim Food Studio make?

Our range includes four sauces — SIGNATURE CHILLI OIL（潮式辣椒油）, MASTER XO SAUCE（元祖XO醬）, CHINATOWN TERIYAKI（墨爾本燒汁） and SICHUAN-STYLE SWEET & SOUR（開胃惹味川汁）. Please see each product page for currently available pack sizes.

What is special about SIGNATURE CHILLI OIL（潮式辣椒油）?

SIGNATURE CHILLI OIL（潮式辣椒油）is aromatic as well as spicy, with onion, garlic, dried shrimp and shrimp paste contributing savoury depth. Its chilli heat is balanced by a full, lingering aroma.

How can I use SIGNATURE CHILLI OIL（潮式辣椒油）?

Try it with rice or noodles, use it to finish stir-fries, or serve it as a dipping sauce for dumplings and dim sum. It also works well with scrambled eggs or avocado toast.

What is special about MASTER XO SAUCE（元祖XO醬）?

MASTER XO SAUCE（元祖XO醬）brings together dried scallops, dried shrimp and pork for rich, layered umami. It is based on a recipe shaped by Melbourne Chinatown’s culinary tradition.

How can I use MASTER XO SAUCE（元祖XO醬）?

Use it with rice or noodles, in stir-fries, or to add depth to seafood and tofu dishes. It is also a flavourful addition to pasta or pizza.

What is special about CHINATOWN TERIYAKI（墨爾本燒汁）?

CHINATOWN TERIYAKI（墨爾本燒汁）is a versatile sauce with savoury, sweet and aromatic notes. It is made with onion, cooking wine, soy sauce and star anise, then gently simmered for a rounded flavour.

How can I use CHINATOWN TERIYAKI（墨爾本燒汁）?

Use it to marinate, stir-fry or dip. It pairs well with pork, beef, lamb, chicken, fish, tofu, udon and vegetables.

What is special about SICHUAN-STYLE SWEET & SOUR（開胃惹味川汁）?

SICHUAN-STYLE SWEET & SOUR（開胃惹味川汁）is made with plum for a bright sweet-and-sour profile, balanced with gentle Sichuan-style chilli heat.

How can I use SICHUAN-STYLE SWEET & SOUR（開胃惹味川汁）?

It is especially good with fried foods, either as a dipping sauce or a glaze. It also works well with party snacks and salads.

Are Sim Sim sauces spicy? Which sauce should I choose if I do not eat chilli?

SIGNATURE CHILLI OIL（潮式辣椒油）and SICHUAN-STYLE SWEET & SOUR（開胃惹味川汁）contain chilli, with aroma and flavour as their focus. Heat tolerance varies from person to person. If you prefer a sauce without chilli, choose CHINATOWN TERIYAKI（墨爾本燒汁）.

How should I store Sim Sim sauces? Do they contain added preservatives?

Keep unopened products as directed on the label and check the best-before date on the bottle. Refrigerate after opening. Current product information states that no preservatives are added; always check the label on the product you purchase for the most current information.

Which sauce should I try first?

Choose SIGNATURE CHILLI OIL（潮式辣椒油）for aromatic chilli heat, MASTER XO SAUCE（元祖XO醬）for seafood-rich umami, CHINATOWN TERIYAKI（墨爾本燒汁）for a versatile non-chilli option, or SICHUAN-STYLE SWEET & SOUR（開胃惹味川汁）for fried foods and sweet-and-sour flavour.

Are Sim Sim sauces vegetarian or vegan?

No. None of the four sauces is vegetarian or vegan. SIGNATURE CHILLI OIL（潮式辣椒油）and MASTER XO SAUCE（元祖XO醬）contain seafood; MASTER XO SAUCE also contains pork. SICHUAN-STYLE SWEET & SOUR（開胃惹味川汁）contains oyster sauce, while CHINATOWN TERIYAKI（墨爾本燒汁）contains egg.

Do Sim Sim sauces contain gluten?

Yes. All four sauces contain wheat and gluten. SICHUAN-STYLE SWEET & SOUR（開胃惹味川汁）also contains barley. They are not gluten-free products.

Do any Sim Sim sauces contain alcohol ingredients?

CHINATOWN TERIYAKI（墨爾本燒汁）contains cooking wine, and SICHUAN-STYLE SWEET & SOUR（開胃惹味川汁）contains wine. If you avoid alcohol for dietary, religious or other reasons, please check the ingredient list and bottle label before purchase.

Which allergens are present in Sim Sim sauces?

The table below is a guide only. Please check the bottle label for the product you purchase.

Where can I buy Sim Sim Food Studio products?

Visit our stockists page for the latest retail locations. You can also order through our online store; delivery availability is shown at checkout.

Stockists →Online store →

Does Sim Sim Food Studio attend markets or community events?

We may take part in markets, retail activations and community events. Please follow our social channels for current event announcements.

Does Sim Sim Food Studio welcome retail, wholesale or consignment enquiries?

Yes. If you represent a restaurant, retailer or other business, please contact us through our contact page and leave your details. Our team will be in touch.

Email us →

What is next for Sim Sim Food Studio?

We will continue to explore and share flavours connected to Melbourne Chinatown, while developing sauces for modern Australian home cooking.