Jerusha Muller
Are you using a dark soy? Switch to a lighter one and use a bit less than required. Same with the Hoisin. I found that I had to get used to soy etc. The best I found for cooking was the light Kikkoman soy. Also, your choice of vinegar makes a huge difference. Some of the Chinese rice wines are incredibly strong and can be overpowering. Choose a well known quality brand and figure out a balance of salty, sour and sweet that works for you. Trust me, some recipe sauce instructions you can just use as a, ahem, "suggestion".