That evening , the Lindens, their two sons and I feasted on a local version of the classic hong shao yu (red-cooked fish), fried until golden then braised in a soy-based sauce with fragrant seasonings like star anise, cinnamon and chili paste.

WSJ: Cormorant Fishing in Yunnan Province, China

Low-sodium soy sauce, tamari, and fish sauce add meaty, round notes in addition to a salty flavor.

CNN: How to be sodium savvy

Try the smoked fish starter and stewed pork in soy sauce or the sweetand- sour Mandarin fish.

BBC: Mini guide to Shanghai, China

Soy sauce was discovered accidentally -- a byproduct of the miso-making process.

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Oberto has set out to "rehabilitate" jerky, removing corn syrup, dextrose, the preservative sodium nitrite and flavor-enhancing monosodium glutamate from its products. (The Teriyaki varieties contain soy sauce, which the company says contains naturally-occurring MSG.) A BBQ Pork jerky from Oberto is so popular around the office that Mr. Ennis says even he has trouble getting it at times.

WSJ: Krave, Perky Jerky and Others Remake Beef Jerky as a Healthy Protein Snack

Try marinating meat, chicken or fish in marinades, soy sauce, sweet fruit juices, wine or Italian-style dressings.

CNN: Eating during cancer treatment: Tips to make food tastier

Now you pair that with great natural beef, short ribs, all-natural pork, all-natural chicken, pure sesame, pure sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, scallions.

CNN: Twitter chase to hottest dining spots

Today, the entire city is protected by Japanese law -- its of 323 houses and other traditional buildings (four soy sauce breweries included) recognized for their immense cultural value.

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