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What Is Fish Sauce?

Fish sauce is a magical ingredient that enhances the taste of many Asian recipes.

Find out how fish sauce is made and how to choose the best fish sauce.

Fish sauce is a liquid condiment made from fish or krill that have been coated in salt and fermented for up to two years. It is used as a staple seasoning in East Asian cuisine and Southeast Asian cuisine, particularly Burma, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Following widespread recognition of its ability to impart a savory umami flavor to dishes, it has been embraced globally by chefs and home cooks. The umami flavor in fish sauce is due to its glutamate content.

Soy sauce is regarded by some in the West as a vegetarian alternative to fish sauce though they are very different in flavor.

Fish sauce is not only added to…