32 condiments we can’t live without – from ketchup to wasabi

By Maggie Hiufu Wong, for CNN
Updated 5:20 PM EST, Sun March 5, 2023
Condiments are the unsung heroes of the culinary world. Click through the gallery to see if your favorites match our favorites. We start off with ketchup: Just try to name seven things that won't go well with it.
Ketchup —
Condiments are the unsung heroes of the culinary world. Click through the gallery to see if your favorites match our favorites. We start off with ketchup: Just try to name seven things that won't go well with it.
Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Calorific, yes. Terrific, also yes. In 2014 Euromonitor reported that mayonnaise is the <a href="http://qz.com/172019/ketchup-isnt-the-king-of-american-condiments-mayonnaise-is/" target="_blank" target="_blank">bestselling condiment</a> in the United States, shifting more gallons than even ketchup. <br />
Mayonnaise —
Calorific, yes. Terrific, also yes. In 2014 Euromonitor reported that mayonnaise is the bestselling condiment in the United States, shifting more gallons than even ketchup.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Many countries claim to be the original home of hummus. We're happy to eat this blend of chickpeas with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic anywhere.
Hummus —
Many countries claim to be the original home of hummus. We're happy to eat this blend of chickpeas with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic anywhere.
JOSEPH EID/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Nam jim gai is a Thai sweet chili sauce. Come for the syrupy texture, stay for the lingering spice.
Nam jim gai —
Nam jim gai is a Thai sweet chili sauce. Come for the syrupy texture, stay for the lingering spice.
Maggie Wong/CNN
Nachos make good spoons for eating salsa, a fresh "salad" made with tomatoes, onions, chili, cilantro and lemon juice.
Salsa —
Nachos make good spoons for eating salsa, a fresh "salad" made with tomatoes, onions, chili, cilantro and lemon juice.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Made from toasted sesame seeds, this Asian condiment has a robust smell and flavor.
Sesame oil —
Made from toasted sesame seeds, this Asian condiment has a robust smell and flavor.
Maggie Wong/CNN
Without mustard that dog just ain't hot.
Mustard —
Without mustard that dog just ain't hot.
Getty Images
Swedish meatballs = Mmmm. Swedish meatballs + lingonberry jam = Mmmmmmmmmmmm.
Lingonberry jam —
Swedish meatballs = Mmmm. Swedish meatballs + lingonberry jam = Mmmmmmmmmmmm.
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Perfect accompaniments to an Indian meal: Tamarind, mint and mango chutneys.
Chutneys —
Perfect accompaniments to an Indian meal: Tamarind, mint and mango chutneys.
courtesy Maggie Hiufu Wong
Brown sauce may have an uninspiring name but there are countless creative ways of using it.
Brown sauce —
Brown sauce may have an uninspiring name but there are countless creative ways of using it.
Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Four centuries old and still not going out of fashion: pesto.
Pesto —
Four centuries old and still not going out of fashion: pesto.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America/Getty Images for Vegas Uncork'd
The mighty Vegemite: misunderstood by non-Australians since 1922.
Vegemite —
The mighty Vegemite: misunderstood by non-Australians since 1922.
Brendon Thorne/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Great name, great condiment. Relish is a sauce usually made from chopped fruit or vegetables.
Relish —
Great name, great condiment. Relish is a sauce usually made from chopped fruit or vegetables.
ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
A soy sauce byproduct, miso has risen to be a star in its own right. Hokkaido ramen is famous for its miso soup base.
Miso —
A soy sauce byproduct, miso has risen to be a star in its own right. Hokkaido ramen is famous for its miso soup base.
Brian Mac
Fried pork sausage cut into slices and drowned in tomato sauce, curry powder and paprika. Germany loves currywurst and so should you.
Currywurst sauce —
Fried pork sausage cut into slices and drowned in tomato sauce, curry powder and paprika. Germany loves currywurst and so should you.
JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
A close cousin of mayonnaise or aioli, tartar sauce adds capers or pickles into the mix. A winner with virtually any fried bar snack.
Tartar sauce —
A close cousin of mayonnaise or aioli, tartar sauce adds capers or pickles into the mix. A winner with virtually any fried bar snack.
courtesy Maggie Hiufu Wong
To Mr Lea and Mr Perrins, the British chemists who created and bottled Worcestershire Sauce in 19th-century England, we raise a Bloody Mary in your honor.
Worcestershire sauce —
To Mr Lea and Mr Perrins, the British chemists who created and bottled Worcestershire Sauce in 19th-century England, we raise a Bloody Mary in your honor.
Maggie Wong/CNN
Mostly served with seafood in Thailand, Sriracha is commonly seen in Vietnamese pho joints.
Sriracha sauce —
Mostly served with seafood in Thailand, Sriracha is commonly seen in Vietnamese pho joints.
Maggie Wong/CNN
A few drops of oyster sauce will render even the blandest dish desirable.
Oyster sauce —
A few drops of oyster sauce will render even the blandest dish desirable.
Maggie Wong/CNN
If in doubt, add soy sauce.
Soy sauce —
If in doubt, add soy sauce.
courtesy Maggie Hiufu Wong
Great wasabi treads a fine line between pain and pleasure.
Wasabi —
Great wasabi treads a fine line between pain and pleasure.
TED ALJIBE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
It's name means seafood in Cantonese, but hoisin doesn't actually contain seafood. Who cares when it tastes so good with duck or pork?
Hoisin sauce —
It's name means seafood in Cantonese, but hoisin doesn't actually contain seafood. Who cares when it tastes so good with duck or pork?
Maggie Wong/CNN
These red peppers are used to make harissa paste, Tunisia's national condiment.
Harissa —
These red peppers are used to make harissa paste, Tunisia's national condiment.
FETHI BELAID/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Mayonnaise's more cosmopolitan cousin, aioli is made by mixing garlic paste, egg yolk, olive oil and mustard.
Aioli —
Mayonnaise's more cosmopolitan cousin, aioli is made by mixing garlic paste, egg yolk, olive oil and mustard.
BERTRAND LANGLOIS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
So hot right now. Tabasco is one of the most popular spicy sauces in the world.
Tabasco —
So hot right now. Tabasco is one of the most popular spicy sauces in the world.
courtesy Efren Masacaet
32 delicious condiments we can't live without
CNN  — 

Prefer to pack a bottle of fish sauce than an extra pair of shoes? Think a jar of local chili paste sounds like a great travel souvenir? Only feel comfortable when there’s three types of vinegar and no less than four soy sauces to choose from?

The diagnosis is clear: You’re a condiment freak. Consider that a compliment.

There are things in bottles, jars, tubes and dispensers that we’d all struggle to survive without. So which are the most crucial?

Essentials like salt, pepper, sugar, herbs and spices aside, we’ve put together a list of the world’s most delicious condiments.

Did we miss any?

Tag your tweets or Instagram photos #CNNFood and let us know.

Mayonnaise

It’s tasty on takoyaki with teriyaki sauce.

Or as a truffle mayo dip for fries.

Or simply spread over deep-fried chicken.

Forget that a spoonful contains more than 90 calories, this creamy rich substance has the power to make every food finger-suckingly good.

Soy sauce

Who knew fermented soybeans could make such a delicious dark sauce?