香油

• Pinyin: xiāng yóu
• Hanzi breakdown: 香 = 禾 + 日 (grain in sun — fragrant); 油 = 氵 + 由 (water radical + origin — liquid pressed from plants)

Meaning

Sesame oil; a fragrant cooking oil pressed from roasted sesame seeds.

An essential finishing condiment in Chinese cuisine, added in small quantities just before serving to impart a rich, nutty aroma. Used in dumplings, cold dishes, noodle soups, and stir-fries. The toasted variety produces a deep amber oil with intense flavour, characteristic of Northern Chinese cooking.

Examples

1. 凉拌黄瓜出锅前淋上几滴香油，整道菜的香气瞬间提升了一个层次。 Before serving the cucumber salad, drizzle in a few drops of sesame oil, and the dish’s aroma instantly becomes richer.
2. 包饺子时在馅料中加入适量香油，既能锁住水分，又能让饺子更加香嫩多汁。 When making dumplings, adding the right amount of sesame oil to the filling helps lock in moisture and makes the dumplings more fragrant, tender, and juicy.
3. 他从小就习惯在面条里加一勺香油，多年来这个饮食习惯始终未曾改变。 Ever since he was a kid, he’s been used to adding a spoonful of sesame oil to his noodles, and that habit has never changed over the years.

Usage Guide

Context: cooking, food, culture

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 做汤时出锅前滴几滴香油，汤的香气和鲜味会大幅提升，令人食欲倍增。(Adding a few drops of sesame oil to soup just before serving greatly enhances its aroma and umami, stimulating the appetite.)
• 这道凉菜一定要用香油调味，否则就失去了那股独特的芝麻香气。(This cold dish must be seasoned with sesame oil; without it, the distinctive sesame fragrance is entirely lost.)

Don't Say

• 把香油涂在皮肤上保湿 — 香油 is a cooking ingredient; for skincare oils use 护肤油 or 精油 instead

Origin & History

香 (fragrant) + 油 (oil) — fragrant oil; in culinary use specifically refers to sesame oil

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal