S&B Tasty Beef Stew Sauce Mix, 5.6-Ounce

I bought this product here on Amazon because it was Japanese and we are foodies...wanted to try something new. Now, while there is NOTHING that would make you think it's anywhere REMOTELY Japanese (aside from the packaging being mostly in Japanese), it is the BEST stew mix we've ever eaten and that is saying something. Apparently, the Japanese find stew as a comfort food, like the rest of us. That's the only thing really Japanese or exotic about it. It DOES have bonito and other fish flavorings in it, which I know sounds weird to Americans, but those flavorings give this sauce a depth that is indescribable and delicious, much as anchovy paste does to Caesar dressing (and most ppl I know would say they HATE anchovies, yet LOVE Caesar dressing...I digress...) One package serves 8, says the box, and you add a pound of stew beef, potatoes, carrots and onion to it. I would imagine you could also use other root veggies as you have on hand, like parsnips or turnips or even beets...it's got that flavor to the sauce...um...like barely sweet, not too salty, thick, rich, kinda beefy but not necessarily...I plan on using up a bunch of button mushrooms in it next time I make it in place of the beef. We used two packages because we felt that 8 servings might not cut it for our family (we are foodies, remember?), and it made enough leftover stew to serve last night on smashed 3-kinds-of-potatoes (russet, red and a couple sweet potatoes for that lovely color and flavor) and we had company over for this meal--so there were 4 adults and a child, eating the leftover stew on taters! My point is, buy a box. Try it. If you have a large family, it will prob be enough, and it is very saucy, so if you need to stretch, add another potato or two. I won't tell.

I have to admit this makes a tasty stew. Whenever I made beef stew the regular way I tried all sorts of ways to get the sauce the way I like it, adding gelatin and cornstarch or beurre manié to get the proper mouth feel, to mixed results. But this makes it so easy and faster and perfect every time. I've done it with pork loin, chicken and am thinking of shrimp (of course, reserving its addition until the last 5 or 10 mins. of cooking). I like the amount of onions the recipe calls for as it adds a nice sweetness. I switched up the vegetables using parsnips, rutabagas even adding some red peppers. I lived in Japan some years ago and always enjoyed a lot of these types of convenient cooking helpers, and glad I found this here which is now a staple pantry item. In the fall, I'm putting it into pot pies. For just a few dollars it makes a great meal in just about an hour.

I love this gravy, so much. And the curry.

Tip: add shallots and garlic to make it perfect

These are roux cubes, similar to those in the Golden Curry products. Absolutely excellent flavor and from my reviews of factory where created, conditions are pristine. Price is higher than Asian supermarkets but this product is no longer available in my area, so am very happy to have an alternative source.

I use this to make beef stew when I want to stay inside but have a "restaurant quality" meal. I put the roux blocks into a pressure cooker with diced onions , extremely lean beef, carrots peeled potatoes, and garlic cloves with dashes of chili powder, cayenne, and turmeric. The result it an extremely tender, delicious stew that isn't too unhealthy, and high in protein. It's also high in fiber thanks to the potatoes and carrots. I also like these roux blocks because they aren't outrageously high in sodium, and the flavor and price are good.

This was very good. I'll be buying it again.

This is a great beef stew sauce/roux mix and pretty good for a store bought version. Makes up a good alternative to western versions of beef stew and worth giving a try out if nothing else for those willing to be a little adventurous in their culinary endeavors. Originally bought this to try and make up, as I had it a few versions made by various friends who either were from Japan and had been overseas for a time. This comes pretty darn close, but felt it was a little lacking or maybe missing something. Still, I am willing to give it another try in the foreseeable future, but will wait for it to drop a little in price.