Since 1888, an authentic Asian flavour made effortless at home

For many Australians, the scent of roasted garlic and soy sauce is a sensory meridian, a bridge between cultures welcoming all who pass over it. Few brands manifest that connection quite like Lee Kum Kee. Founded in 1888 in the bustling kitchens of Guangdong, China, this pioneering name in Asian condiments has grown from a well-guarded family recipe to a global icon, stocked on supermarket shelves from Hong Kong to Hobart – and everywhere in between.

That continued spirit of ingenuity and flavour defines the brand to this day. Lee Kum Kee’s story began when its founder, Lee Kum Sheung, serendipitously created his own oyster sauce, sparking a culinary revolution. More than 135 years later, the company remains family owned and fiercely committed to authenticity, quality and the art of bringing people together through food.

In Australia, where a love of Asian cuisine has evolved from takeaway nights to home-cooked mastery, Lee Kum Kee has quietly become the unsung hero behind countless stir-fries, marinades and glazes. Its sauces offer the balance and depth that define true Asian cooking: the high-gloss of a charred barbecue skewer, the umami whisper through a noodle bowl, the sweet-savoury essence of a weeknight stir-fry. This is flavour made effortless and always authentic.

To celebrate its founding year, the brand has launched a national campaign that captures this spirit of legacy and prosperity – the Unlock 1888 Good Fortune Lucky Draw.

A culinary celebration

Running from October 13 to November 23, 2025, the campaign invites Australians to share in a little culinary good fortune of their own. Each purchase of a Lee Kum Kee product becomes an entry into a national draw, with a total of over $20,000 in prizes on offer. True to the brand’s roots, the rewards pay tribute to the number eight with prizes of $1888, $188 and $88 designed to echo themes of wealth, luck and longevity.

The number carries deep cultural weight in China. Its pronunciation, ba, echoes fa, the word for wealth and prosperity, making it a symbol of good fortune for generations. Whether it’s a wedding date, a business launch or a street address, the presence of eights is believed to usher in abundance. That belief still shapes modern choices: phone numbers, license plates and property listings featuring eights often command a premium.

Notwithstanding the lucky prizes, Unlock 1888 Good Fortune celebrates someth­ing more enduring: the way food unites families, cultures and generations. It’s an ode to the shared table where the aroma of soy and sesame carries stories of heritage and the pleasure of good company.

Lee Kum Kee’s ambassador, chef Mimi Wong, calls it “a celebration of connection through taste”, and it’s easy to see why. Whether it’s the crisp char of a wok-seared vegetable dish ­­or the caramelised glaze of weekend barbecue meats, Lee Kum Kee sauces bring balance and brightness to every creation.

That versatility is the secret to the brand’s longevity. Its sauces and condiments hold just as much a place in the canon of Asian cooking as they do in the rhythm of Australian life. For home cooks eager to explore new flavours or seasoned food lovers recreating family favourites, Lee Kum Kee offers both authenticity and approachability.

As modern Australian kitchens continue to evolve, embracing global influences and weeknight efficiency, Lee Kum Kee stands as a stalwart companion, a heritage brand that continues to inspire creativity with every splash and spoonful.

Consumers can enter the Unlock 1888 Good Fortune Lucky Draw by purchasing any Lee Kum Kee product and uploading their receipts to the campaign website, which can be accessed by scanning the QR code on product tags and in-store promotional materials at major retailers.

For more details, consumers can also check out Lee Kum Kee’s official Australian social media channels. Alongside the grand prize of AUD$1888, there are 50 lucky winners set to receive AUD$188 and 100 consolation prizes of AUD$88. These amounts aren’t random, they’re a nod to the brand’s heritage and its enduring wish for prosperity.

Click here for a chance to win your share of good fortune.

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