The Best Bachan's Japanese BBQ Sauce, According To Our Taste Test

Bachan's small-batch Japanese-style BBQ sauces have picked up a loyal following thanks to their bold, umami-packed flavor that works on just about everything. Eggs? Yep. Grilled meats? Obviously. Leftover pizza? You'll wonder why you ever ate it without Bachan's.

Our taste tester tried every Bachan's flavor to find the best of the best, since the brand already took the top spot in our overall BBQ sauce ranking, and Hot Honey came out on top. The mix of red habanero and organic honey hits that sweet-spicy balance just right. It's warm but not overwhelming, sticky in a good way, and layered with flavor. One of the first things our taste tester noticed was its texture, calling it thicker than the others, "perhaps because of the honey." The flavor, though, was what sealed it: "impeccable," with a "savory, sweet heat" and honey that felt "very bold and complex."

What sets it apart? It's not just heat for the sake of heat. The honey smooths things out, while ingredients like red habanero, tomato paste, mirin, garlic, toasted sesame oil, and green onion bring depth. Since it's cold-filled and made without preservatives, it tastes clean and authentic, like something someone actually cooked, not pumped out of a factory. Plus, it's based on a family recipe that gives it more heart than most sauces on the shelf.

You could use Bachan's Hot Honey just for wings and call it a day, but that would be missing the point. This is the kind of sauce that sneaks its way into all your meals. Glaze your grilled salmon with this, drizzle a little on top of a tray of roasted sweet potatoes and veggies, or add it to your favorite sandwich. The sky's the limit.

Our taste tester marinated chicken wings overnight in the sauce, grilled them up, then brushed on more at the end. After grilling, the result is sticky, slightly sweet, and just enough kick to keep things interesting. No added thickeners — the honey gives it a natural gloss and cling, and it doesn't need help in the flavor department. It's got enough going on that you could eat it straight out of the bottle. No judgment.

Feeling adventurous? Pour a splash into a cocktail shaker. Or stir a little into your next grilled cheese. The squeeze bottle makes it easy to drizzle or pour exactly how much you want — no mess, no guesswork. However, some fans have complained about flimsy caps, especially on the larger bottles, but that's easy to overlook when the sauce is packed with flavor. It works because it doesn't try too hard. It's balanced, versatile, and fun to cook with. It's proof that not all bottled sauces are created equal.