




If you want a subtle way to add more flavor to your dish without much effort, then try sesame oil! It can add an earthy taste to your food with just a few drops. Sesame oil is mainly known for its fragrant and nutty aroma, which is why it is often used to drizzle over or marinate dishes.
There are actually other varieties that make it far from being just a seasoning oil as it can be used to fry, bake, or even sauté! In this article, we will run through the types of sesame oil and what they are best used for as well as our top picks! Be sure not to miss our buying guide as it's fact-checked and reviewed by registered nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales!
Quick List - Top Sesame Oils

Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.

Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Every mybest article is crafted with hours of in-depth research and interviews with experts. Each month, we are continually expanding our database of products based on our research. By emphasizing user insight and reliable information, we deliver trustworthy content to readers.
Here are some key points to consider:
It may seem surprising, but sesame oil actually has different varieties. Did you know that you can use it for shallow frying? To better understand their uses, let us explore each one. This way, you could expand your recipes for them.
If you want to obtain the benefits of sesame oil, then go for the cold-pressed variety. This means the oil is extracted by pressing without the use of heat. This way, the oil is able to retain most of its nutritional content than if it were heated.
You would be able to benefit from its vitamin E and fatty acids. In addition, the antioxidant sesamolin protects it from oxidation and increases its shelf life. It also has a higher smoke point, which means it can be used for deep frying, especially if you want your dishes to have a slightly nutty aroma and flavor.
Also known as dark or black sesame oil, roasted sesame oil has a dark brown appearance, as it has been toasted before being expelled. Keep in mind that the darker the oil, the more prominent the flavor.
When recipes call for sesame oil, this is usually the kind being referred to as it is mostly used as finishing oil, for flavoring, or for sauces. This is partly due to its strong and nutty aroma and taste and because it has a low smoke point, which makes it rather delicate to handle.
This makes it unadvisable for frying, as the flavor tends to diminish, so it will be rendered rather tasteless. Because it has been previously roasted, exposing it to heat for a longer period of time will make the oil taste burnt.
Unroasted, light, or white sesame oil does not undergo any roasting before extraction as it uses raw sesame. This gives it a lighter color. It is milder in flavor and therefore can be used for sautéing or frying.
Think of it as all-purpose oil as it has a relatively high smoke point and can be used just like you would any other vegetable oils such as canola. If you want an alternative to your other oils, then try unroasted sesame oil.
If you find yourself without sesame oil, there are other types of oil that you could use. If you want something similar in flavor, then go for perilla oil. It is the closest substitute as it is almost identical in nuttiness and flavor profile if the taste is an integral factor.
On the other hand, if that proves to be rather difficult to source out, then you could always go for similar nut or seed-based oils such as peanut, walnut, avocado, or canola. This is especially helpful when the recipe requires frying.
In the event that you have a peanut allergy, consider going for olive oil. Like sesame, olive oil is also packed with heart-healthy fats. It is rich in mono and polyunsaturated fats, which can decrease the risk of heart disease.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Source | Type | Flavor Profile | Best For | Packaging | Net Weight | |||||
1 | Good Life Sesame Oil | ![]() | Give Your Meals a Touch of Extra Nutty Flavor | China, Vietnam | Cold-Pressed | Nutty, Toasted | Cooking, Frying, Dressing, Sautéing | Glass | 210 mL | |
2 | Ottogi Sesame Oil | ![]() | Enhances Your Stir-Fries and Stews | Korea | Roasted | Nutty, Toasted | Cooking, Frying, Dressing, Sautéing | Plastic | 80 mL | |
3 | Lee Kum Kee Pure Sesame Oil | ![]() | Experience Sesame Goodness From a Trusted Brand | China | Expeller-Pressed | Mild, Nutty | Cooking, Dressing, Sautéing | Glass | 207 mL | |
4 | Gold Dragon Premium Sesame Oil | ![]() | Deep, Toasted Aroma for Bold, Flavor-Packed Cooking | China, Vietnam | Roasted | Toasted, Nutty | Cooking, Frying, Dressing, Sautéing | Glass | 3000 mL | |
5 | CJ Korean Pure Sesame Oil | ![]() | Warm, Rounded Flavor the Korean Way | Korea | Roasted | Toasted, Nutty | Cooking, Sautéing, Dressing | Plastic | 160 mL | |
6 | Kadoya Sesame Oil | ![]() | A Bold Burst of Japanese Flavor in Every Drop | Japan | Roasted | Toasted, Nutty | Cooking, Dressing, Sautéing | Glass | 1650 mL | |
7 | Gold Cup Premium Sesame Oil | ![]() | A Deep, Toasty Boost for Flavor-Rich Home Cooking | China | Roasted | Toasted, Nutty | Cooking, Dressing, Sautéing, Frying | Glass | 3000 mL | |
8 | Mua Yu Sesame Oil | ![]() | Affordable Sesame Oil for Everyday Meals | China | Cold-Pressed | Mild, Nutty | Cooking, Dressing, Sautéing | Glass | 1000 mL | |
9 | Klass Sesame Oil | ![]() | A Nutty Touch That Brings Recipes to Life | China | Expeller-Pressed | Mild, Nutty | Cooking, Dressing, Sautéing | Glass | 250 mL | |
10 | King Chef Sesame Oil | ![]() | Bold Toasted Goodness That Elevates Flavors | China | Roasted | Toasted, Nutty | Cooking, Frying, Dressing, Sautéing | Glass | 1000 mL | |
The sesame oil praised for the warm, nutty lift it gives to everyday dishes without taking over the flavor. Many like its smooth texture and pleasant aroma, making it a go-to bottle in the kitchen. Reviewers also mention how well it mixes into dressings and sauces, and they enjoy that just a small splash is enough to deepen the taste.
| Source | China, Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Type | Cold-Pressed |
| Flavor Profile | Nutty, Toasted |
| Best For | Cooking, Frying, Dressing, Sautéing |
| Packaging | Glass |
| Net Weight | 210 mL |
Features and benefits:
Many home cooks love how this sesame oil delivers a bold, toasted aroma that instantly elevates Korean dishes. Its smooth consistency and strong nutty character are frequently praised, especially when drizzled over warm rice or noodles. Users enjoy how just a small amount adds an unmistakable depth that feels restaurant-quality.
| Source | Korea |
|---|---|
| Type | Roasted |
| Flavor Profile | Nutty, Toasted |
| Best For | Cooking, Frying, Dressing, Sautéing |
| Packaging | Plastic |
| Net Weight | 80 mL |
Features and benefits:
Users often describe this oil as pleasantly aromatic, giving dishes a gentle lift rather than an overpowering punch. Several note how seamlessly it mixes into broths and sauces, adding depth without altering the dish’s character. Others enjoy its smooth finish, especially when used as a final drizzle to enhance warmth and complexity.
| Source | China |
|---|---|
| Type | Expeller-Pressed |
| Flavor Profile | Mild, Nutty |
| Best For | Cooking, Dressing, Sautéing |
| Packaging | Glass |
| Net Weight | 207 mL |
This sesame oil is often praised for the way its bold, toasted fragrance instantly transforms a dish. Some cooks mention how a small splash makes stir-fries taste more vibrant, especially when paired with garlic or chili. Others admire its smooth finish, noting that it adds dimension without leaving a heavy aftertaste. Many enjoy using it as a final drizzle, where its aroma becomes even more pronounced.
| Source | China, Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Type | Roasted |
| Flavor Profile | Toasted, Nutty |
| Best For | Cooking, Frying, Dressing, Sautéing |
| Packaging | Glass |
| Net Weight | 3000 mL |
The oil adds a comforting depth to simple dishes, especially when drizzled in at the end. Its warm, bold aroma is instantly noticeable and brings a familiar homemade feel. It’s also appreciated for its smooth texture, blending easily into marinades and dipping sauces to create a fuller, richer flavor.
| Source | Korea |
|---|---|
| Type | Roasted |
| Flavor Profile | Toasted, Nutty |
| Best For | Cooking, Sautéing, Dressing |
| Packaging | Plastic |
| Net Weight | 160 mL |
Cooks frequently mention how just a splash of this oil changes the entire character of a dish, giving it a warm, aromatic lift. Its fragrance is often described as bold yet smooth, making it especially appealing in simple noodle bowls and dipping sauces. Others enjoy how seamlessly it blends into marinades, adding depth without overpowering delicate ingredients.
| Source | Japan |
|---|---|
| Type | Roasted |
| Flavor Profile | Toasted, Nutty |
| Best For | Cooking, Dressing, Sautéing |
| Packaging | Glass |
| Net Weight | 1650 mL |
This sesame oil adds a warm, toasty lift to even the simplest meals, making home dishes feel more vibrant. Its aroma lingers nicely, especially when drizzled over noodles or sautéed vegetables. This also blends easily into sauces, adding depth without taking over the other flavors.
| Source | China |
|---|---|
| Type | Roasted |
| Flavor Profile | Toasted, Nutty |
| Best For | Cooking, Dressing, Sautéing, Frying |
| Packaging | Glass |
| Net Weight | 3000 mL |
Features and benefits:
Cooks often remark on the subtle elegance of this oil, noting how it enhances dishes without dominating them. Several enjoy its softer aroma, which works especially well in lighter recipes like clear broths and steamed greens. Others appreciate its velvety texture, saying it blends effortlessly into dressings and marinades for a smooth, cohesive finish.
| Source | China |
|---|---|
| Type | Cold-Pressed |
| Flavor Profile | Mild, Nutty |
| Best For | Cooking, Dressing, Sautéing |
| Packaging | Glass |
| Net Weight | 1000 mL |
The sesame oil that gives both simple and seasoned dishes a gentle lift, bringing a smoother, more rounded taste to meals. Its mildness is often noted, blending easily into dressings and sauces without overpowering lighter ingredients. Its steady aroma becomes even more noticeable when used as a finishing touch on warm dishes.
| Source | China |
|---|---|
| Type | Expeller-Pressed |
| Flavor Profile | Mild, Nutty |
| Best For | Cooking, Dressing, Sautéing |
| Packaging | Glass |
| Net Weight | 250 mL |
Many describe this oil as adding an instant layer of depth, especially in savory dishes that need a richer finish. Its aroma is often noted as bold yet smooth, making it a favorite for noodle bowls and quick stir-fries. Others appreciate how a small splash can transform marinades, giving them roundness and warmth without feeling heavy.
| Source | China |
|---|---|
| Type | Roasted |
| Flavor Profile | Toasted, Nutty |
| Best For | Cooking, Frying, Dressing, Sautéing |
| Packaging | Glass |
| Net Weight | 1000 mL |
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Aside from adding a distinctively Asian flavor to food, sesame oil has numerous benefits, too. For one, it's a heart-healthy oil because it contains both Omega-3 and Omega-6. It is classified as polyunsaturated fat, which is a wholesome type of fat, as this means it has the ability to lower the risk of heart disease when consumed in moderation.
Sesame oil is also high in antioxidants. Aside from vitamin E, it also contains sesamol and sesaminol, both of which can help reduce cell damage from free radicals.
Both of these oils are unsaturated fats and are considered healthy oils. However, olive oil has the edge over sesame oil because it contains more monounsaturated fat, vitamin E, minerals, and other nutritional compounds.
Yes, although keep in mind that it has a very strong flavor. This is why cooks and chefs mostly use sesame oil as a finishing or flavoring agent.
Do you have everything you need in your pantry? How about condiments? Check out these other products whether you want to stock up on some sawsawans or nifty toppings for when your next cooking inspiration hits.
10 Best Ketchups in the Philippines 2025 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist-Dietitian
10 Best Mayonnaise in the Philippines 2025 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist-Dietitian
9 Best Soy Sauces in the Philippines 2025 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist-Dietitian
9 Best Vinegars in the Philippines 2025 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist-Dietitian
10 Best Furikake Seasonings in the Philippines 2025 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist-Dietitian
Author: J. Cuizon
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Good Life |Sesame Oil
No. 2: Ottogi|Sesame Oil
No. 3: Lee Kum Kee|Pure Sesame Oil
No. 4: Gold Dragon|Premium Sesame Oil
No. 5: CJ Korean|Pure Sesame Oil
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.

Beauty

Health

Household goods

PCs and laptops

Home appliances and electronics

Cameras

Food and drinks

Kitchen supplies

Clothing

Shoes

Accessories

Mom and baby

Interior and furniture

Hobbies

Outdoor

DIY and tools

Sports and fitness

Pets

Books, CDs, and DVDs

Games

Cars and motorcycles

Gifts

Home improvement and tools

Smartphones and tablets

Banking and finance

Insurance

Audio

Smartphone applications

Others