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Fish sauce is a wonderful sauce that adds a depth of flavor to any dish. But what exactly is it? Today, youβll learn everything there is to know about fish sauce. Knowing the ins and outs of this staple ingredient is the perfect way to utilize fish sauce.Β
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Fish sauce is a staple item in Asian cuisine. There are quite a few names and variations that hail from different regions. The common denominator? Fish sauce is made from fermented anchovies. Of course, there are other ingredients, but one of the main flavor profiles comes from the fermented fish at its base.Β
Vegan or vegetarian? Not a problem. There are plenty of ways to mimic the intensity of flavors in the fish sauce without compromising your diet.Β
Fish sauce is layered with flavor, and your taste buds will be satisfied. The mixture of fermented fish and other ingredients leads to layers of salty, savory, earthy goodness. It is a wonderful intensity that amplifies any dish. While the flavors are intense, they balance basic ingredients, like white rice quite well.
Wondering what exactly youβre eating? Hereβs what you should know.
Three simple ingredients go into this decadent sauce: fish, salt, and water. Thatβs all you need to produce some of the richest flavors from the sea that amplifies flavor levels tenfold.Β
Weβve already told you that at the base of fish sauce is fermented fish, primarily anchovies or mackerel. Fish are coated in salt and left to ferment or cure in big barrels.Β
Over time, they produce a salty, strong-flavored liquid, resulting in fish sauce. Of course, youβll need large wooden barrels to make the process happen. You will also absorb some flavoring from the wood, so this is not a step thatβs easy to skip.Β
Fish sauce can be used in various ways and work in so many different dishes. You can add it to salad dressings for an earthy, aromatic depth. It makes an excellent base for any stir-fry dish and is added to the base of a broth for a hearty umami soup.
If youβre wondering how and where to use fish sauce, this section is for you. Letβs go over the common name variations for different Asian cooking techniques and regions. Then, we will give you some of the top uses so you can start adding fish sauce to some of your favorite meals.Β
One of the staple ways fish sauce is used in Vietnam is NΖ°α»c MαΊ―m. This is a citrus and sweet balance to the salty notes in the fish sauce used as a dipping sauce. You can expect to see it accompany anything from spring rolls to grilled meats.Β
NΖ°α»c chαΊ₯m is the broad term for dipping sauces in Vietnamese cooking. Much like the banchan served with every Korean BBQ experience, NΖ°α»c chαΊ₯m is a common condiment in Vietnamese cuisine. Phu Quoc is the name for traditional Vietnamese fish sauce that is incorporated in these NΖ°α»c chαΊ₯m varieties.Β
Nam pla is a popular fish sauce used in Thailand. If youβre looking for a traditional Thai sauce that utilizes the umami brine of fish sauce, look no further than prik nam pla (ΰΈΰΈ£ΰΈ΄ΰΈΰΈΰΉΰΈ³ΰΈΰΈ₯ΰΈ²).Β
This blend of fish and chili sauces is extremely popular in Thai cuisine. Itβs a spicy umami bomb that delivers a sweet, salty, and savory balance.Β
Patis is the Filipino version of fish sauce. While it is utilized in many cooking techniques, it serves as the perfect dipping sauce with calamansi for fried fish and is one of the big flavor profiles in Arroz Caldo.
In Asian cuisine, fish sauce is considered a staple pantry item. It can be used for stir fry dishes, marinade for meats, a base for pad thai noodles, green papaya salad, or added to other ingredients for the perfect potsticker dipping sauce.Β
Once you get your hands on a bottle, here are a few of our favorite fish sauce recipes:
Fish sauce and oyster sauce are similar, but a few distinct differences will help you tell them apart. For one, the base might be seafood, but fish sauce is more pungent. Oyster sauce uses juices from oysters, so the brine imparted from shellfish is more subtle.Β
Are you worried about finding a good brand of fish sauce? Most Asian grocery stores will carry fish sauce, but Umamicart has all your fish sauce brands.Β
Once opened, the fish sauce should be stored in its original container, lid on, and tightly fastened in the pantry. While fish sauce doesnβt need to be refrigerated, it will require cool temperatures to keep it from spoiling.Β
If you donβt have fish sauce on hand or follow a vegan diet, you may wonder whether there are alternatives to fish sauce.Β
Weβve got the best fish sauce alternatives here:
Soy sauce will give you those salty notes but may lack some of the fish sauce taste imparted from the sea. Nevertheless, itβs an excellent way to mimic the intensity of the fish sauce.Β
If youβre not a huge fan of the salty flavor of soy sauce, try dark soy sauce. It will have a sweeter balance but less of that salt kick you want to avoid.Β
Hoisin sauce has a sweet-savory balance that is great at copying some of the tangy notes of fish sauce. Mixed with miso's savory richness, youβre really onto something.Β
This is a straightforward alternative but wonβt work for vegetarian or vegan diets. At the base, Worcestershire sauce is anchovy paste, so itβs another animal product.Β
For those not worried about this, fish sauce is a little saltier, but the intense aromatics of Worcestershire sauce are on par with fish sauce.Β
Most vegan fish sauce varieties are made with dried shiitake mushrooms and soy sauce to provide just the right meaty punch as a fish sauce substitute.Β
By now, you may have realized just how versatile fish sauce is and not just for dishes from Southeast Asia. There are many ways to add that umami goodness to other cuisines, and we are confident you are ready to find your inspiration.Β
When youβre ready to make a grocery run to pick up fish sauce, donβt grab the keys yet! Umamicart delivers high-quality Asian groceries right to your door.Β
Sources:
Fermented fish products in South and Southeast Asian cuisine: indigenous technology processes, nutrient composition, and cultural significance | PMCΒ
Using Fish Sauce as a Substitute for Sodium Chloride in Culinary Sauces and Effects on Sensory Properties | NIHΒ
Consuming Lentinula edodes (Shiitake), Mushrooms Daily Improves Human Immunity: A Randomized Dietary Intervention in Healthy Young Adults | NIHΒ
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