Tare vs Sauce: What is the Difference?

“Tare (タレ)” is a liquid seasoning used for dishes and foods, such as Yakiniku, Unagi no Kabayaki, Shabu-Shabu, Sukiyaki, and Natto, and seems like a sauce.

Tare vs Sauce

So I wondered “Tare and sauce are the same things or different things?” And for that, today I researched the difference.

Tare (タレ)

Tsuke-Dare (つけだれ: Dipping Sauce) for Yakiniku

In the first place, Tare is a Japanese word derived from “Tare Miso (垂れ味噌)”, a simple miso seasoning that had been used before Shoyu or soy sauce was born.

Tare Miso, literally meaning dripping miso, was put into a cloth bag and used by hanging.

In modern times, as previously mentioned, Tare comes in many different varieties. But a single seasoning, like soy sauce, is not called Tare.

Tare is a thick combined seasoning liquid made by simmering down ingredients such as soy sauce, sake, mirin, and miso.

Basically, Tare is either used during cooking or used by dipping or soaking food in it right before eating. This seasoning often comes with Japanese or Asian dishes.

Sauce (ソース)

Hamburg Steak with Demi-Glace Sauce

On the other hand, Sauce is an English word, and this seasoning liquid is mainly used for Western dishes.

As you know, basically, Sauce is either used during cooking or put on food before eating.

(Reference Page: Wikipedia タレ )