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5.0 from 99 votes

Homemade Lye water (Kansui)

Lye water (Kansui) is a food-grade alkaline solution used in many dishes. This is an easy way to make it at home with two common ingredients.

Prep Time
2 mins
Additional Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 2 mins
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

  • baking soda
  • water

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 120°C (250°F).
  2. Cover a baking tray with tin foil (aluminium foil). Spread an even layer of baking soda over the foil.
  3. Put the tray into the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour.
  4. Leave to cool naturally then transfer to an airtight container (see note 1).
  5. When needed, mix 1 part of baked baking soda with 4 parts of water (see note 2). Use the solution in recipes for your desired dishes.

Notes

  • Do not touch the baked baking soda with bare hands. 
  • Do not premix the solution in big volume when you're not ready to use it.