Finadene Sauce – Guam’s Favorite Condiment

Finadene sauce is a flavorful, savory, and spicy Chamorro recipe used to season rice and meat. It’s made with soy sauce, fresh lemon juice, green onions, and spicy Thai chilis.

This savory, spicy condiment is just what your taste buds are craving!!

I spent several years on the Island of Guam in my early childhood. During that time, I was introduced to a few Guamanian recipes. I learned to appreciate Guamanian food during that time. I was also exposed to Chamorro food in Hawaii and San Diego, where there are many Chamorro transplants.

Finadene sauce is commonly seen not only on Guam but in the Philipines and in Hawaii.

Learning about cultural dishes is one of my main objectives when I travel anywhere. I love sharing these recipes with you so that you, too, can learn to experience the flavors of different cultures.

Finadene Sauce Origin

The name of this all-purpose condiment means “with chilis.” This contemporary version of finadene sauce is credited to the import of soy sauce by the Japanese to the Mariana Islands.

The original version is made with soy sauce, lemon juice, onion, and bird’s eye peppers. Bird’s eye peppers are commonly referred to as boonie peppers. These tiny pepper pack a lot of heat and can be found in Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines.

Bird’s Eye Peppers are very similar to Thai chili peppers in heat and flavor. They are distinctive in their round berry-like appearance. You likely will not find them in the states.

What You’ll Love About This Finadene Sauce Recipe

• The salty soy sauce paired with onion and tangy lemon juice complements red meat, pork, and fish.
• Once you taste this umami-packed condiment, you will want to pull it out anytime you have rice.

What You’ll Need

• Soy sauce
• Lemon juice
• Green onion
• Chili peppers

Optional ingredients are cherry tomatoes, diced white onion, and black pepper.

How To Make Chamorro Finadene

This finadene recipe is so easy it’s as simple as dicing the onions and peppers and then combining them with the soy sauce and lemon juice.

Store the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge. I like to use a Mason jar or Weck jar. It will keep in the fridge for at least 3 weeks. The soy sauce and lemon juice preserve the onions and peppers for quite a long time.

What To Serve With Finadene

Serve this tasty condiment with a steaming bowl of rice or grilled meat.