Fish Sauce

[LisaG]

I am still making recipes from the June issue and the Spicy Herbed Grilled Salmon Steaks sounds wonderful. However, I am not sure what fish sauce is? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/confused.gif I went to Chef Thesaurus to see if I could get a clue..it looks like you could use Clam juice. I also checked the local groceries and had no luck. Can those that have used fish sauce, let me know what it is and where you found it?

[lesliem]

Hi Lisa,

Fish sauce is used alot in Thai cooking. It is also called nam pla. It is a vile smelling salty brown liquid but really adds flavour to dishes. Try looking in an asian food store where the soy and other sauces are you should find it there. I think it is made from fermented anchovies or something equally discusting but as I said it really does add to the recipe.

[Ohioan]

Fish sauce is a salty sauce made from fermented fish, something like soy sauce, but with a more pungent aroma. It's used in a number of Southeast Asian cuisines (Thai, Vietnamese, etc.) as well as in Filipino cuisine.

You can probably get one variety or another of fish sauce in an Asian specialty shop or at an online Asian food source, for example:
Oriental Pantry http://www.orientalpantry.com
or Gong Shee http://www.gongshee.com

If you can't get it, though, try using a good soy sauce and adding a tiny bit of anchovy paste or a mashed anchovy -- although don't you hate opening a tin of anchovies for just one anchovy? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif Or just use plain soy sauce. The taste won't be quite the same, but it'll be close.

Phoebe (aka Ohioan)

[Deanna]

I really don't think there is any substitute for a good fish sauce. Just my opinion! In addition to some of the larger supermarkets in town, I have found fish sauce in the grocery department of Super Target, who suprisingly, seem to have a huge selection of ethnic foods! But don't be shy about shopping in an Asian market, if you have one nearby. It's fun to shop ethnic groceries!

One of the highest quality fish sauces is "Golden Boy" brand, but any other will do just fine.

Good luck in your search!

For anyone interested in learning more about fish sauce (and Thai cooking!) go to http://www.thaifoodandtravel.com/features/fishsauce3.html


[This message has been edited by Deanna (edited 07-30-2000).]

[LisaG]

Thanks for all your help. I found fish saue at Wild Oats an organic grocery store in my area.