Where to Find Fish Sauce at the Grocery Store: A Complete Guide

It’s possible that fish sauce is the most important spice in Southeast Asian cooking, and Thai food is no exception. You may have had it without realizing it, either in your pad thai or in the orange dipping sauce nuoc cham that comes with your Vietnamese takeout.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about fish sauce, such as what it is, how it’s made, how to store it, pick a good one, and use something else instead of it.

YOU LIKE VIDEOS? Check out this video below where I explain what fish sauce is and taste 5 different brands in real time. But this article does go into more detail.

Fish sauce is a staple condiment in many Asian cuisines, adding a punch of salty umami flavor to dishes But if you’re new to cooking with fish sauce, finding it at the grocery store can be a struggle Where exactly should you look to locate that elusive bottle of fish sauce?

In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover all the insider tips on where to find fish sauce at the grocery store. You’ll learn the specific store sections to check the best grocery chains for fish sauce, substitutions if you can’t locate it, and online shopping recommendations. Let’s dive in!

Common Places Fish Sauce is Stocked

Fish sauce can be found in a few key sections of most major grocery stores:

Asian/International Aisle – This is the most obvious spot to begin your search. Since fish sauce is commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisines, it’s often shelved alongside other Asian sauces and ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, etc.
Condiment Aisle – Some stores will also stock fish sauce with other condiments like soy sauce, ketchup, and vinegar. Check the section with Asian condiments.
Specialty Foods – If your store has a dedicated gourmet or specialty foods section, you may find imported fish sauce there. This is sometimes near the cheese and olive bar.
Ethnic Food Aisle – Larger chains may have a broad “ethnic foods” section rather than a specific Asian aisle. You’ll find Hispanic, Mediterranean, and Asian ingredients together.
Promotional Displays – Grocery stores love to do seasonal promotions and fish sauce may pop up in a featured Asian cuisine display. Around Lunar New Year is a likely time.

So scout out these key areas when on the hunt for fish sauce. If you still can’t locate it, it’s time to ask a store clerk for assistance. Most chains do stock it somewhere.

Grocery Stores That Sell Fish Sauce

Wondering which grocery store chains are most likely to carry fish sauce? Here are some of the top national and regional chains to check:

Kroger – Large selection of Asian ingredients.
Safeway – Good international foods section.
Publix – Broad Asian offerings.
Whole Foods – Upscale and imported fish sauce.
Wegmans – Reliable Asian/international aisle.
H-Mart – Best bet at authentic Korean and Asian products.
99 Ranch Market – Specialty Asian grocery store.

Of course, availability will vary by location. Your specific store may or may not have it in stock. Again, asking an employee is your best bet if you can’t locate it on the shelves.

Many smaller regional grocery chains like Hy-Vee, Piggly Wiggly, Food Lion, etc. may carry it as well, but product selection will vary. If you have an Asian market in your area, odds are they will stock multiple varieties of fish sauce.

Fish Sauce Substitutes If You Can’t Find It

Don’t see fish sauce at your local market? Not to worry, there are a few good substitutes to recreate the flavor:

Soy Sauce – The closest replacement, use a 50/50 blend of soy sauce and water to mimic fish sauce.
Coconut Aminos – Sweeter than fish sauce but provides salty umami. Reduce other sugars in the recipe.
Anchovy Paste – Pureed anchovies offer similar briny flavor. Use about 1/2 teaspoon per tablespoon fish sauce.
Seaweed – Soak kombu seaweed strips in soy sauce or broth for an umami boost.
Mushroom Broth – Offers rich savory notes, best for vegetarian/vegan recipes.

While no substitute can perfectly mimic the unique flavor of fish sauce, these options can work in a pinch. Combining soy sauce, anchovies, mushrooms and seaweed can get you close to the complexity of fish sauce.

Where to Buy Fish Sauce Online

If you strike out finding fish sauce locally, purchasing online is always an easy option. Buying fish sauce online can actually save you time and offer wider selection and better prices.

Here are some top places to buy fish sauce online:

Amazon – Offers just about every major brand and style imaginable. Can buy in bulk.
Thrive Market – Good prices on pantry basics like condiments.
Asian Food Grocer – Specialty store with huge fish sauce selection.
Red Boat Fish Sauce – Shop the classic premium brand right from the source.
Viatoris – Artisan fish sauce handmade in small batches.

Purchasing online means you can try those premium fish sauces you won’t find at a standard grocery store. It also allows you to order in bulk at lower cost. Just be sure to look for discounts on shipping when possible.

Tips for Finding Fish Sauce at the Store

Here are some handy tips to actually locate that bottle of fish sauce inside the grocery store:

Ask for help – Don’t waste time wandering around, just ask a store clerk to guide you.
Check ethnic foods aisle – Even if you don’t see a specific Asian section.
Look high and low – Scan both top and bottom shelves thoroughly.
Seek promotional displays – Fish sauce may be featured seasonally.
Try specialty stores – Asian markets and gourmet stores are good bets.
Call ahead to ask – Store staff can tell you over the phone if they carry it.
Be flexible – Grab a substitute like soy sauce or anchovies if you really can’t find it.
Buy online – Ordering fish sauce online can save tons of hassle!

With some insider tips and perseverance, tracking down that bottle of fish sauce at the grocery store is totally doable. But if all else fails, heading online for delivery to your door is always the easiest route. Just a dash of fish sauce can add so much flavor to a dish, it’s worth the effort to hunt it down!

where is fish sauce in the grocery store

Choose one with a simple ingredient list.

For starters, choose the one with the fewest ingredients. This is because the less fish flavor there is in the sauce, the more ingredients they have to add to make it taste like fish.

1) Anchovies, 2) Water (may not be listed even if it’s in the food), 3) Salt, and 4) Sugar should be on the list of ingredients. If it contains anything else, it is not a good sign.

Note: Sometimes the label will list anchovy extract rather than anchovies. Some brands use the word “extract” when there isn’t any real fish in the bottle—just the liquid that was taken from the fish. This doesn’t mean they use fake anchovy extracts or anything like that. In the same way that oyster sauce contains “oyster extracts” because the oyster bodies aren’t in the bottle.

Choose a higher protein content.

Another indicator of quality is protein content. Like I said in “How is Fish Sauce Made?,” cheaper fish sauce has more water added to it, which naturally lowers the amount of fish protein in it.

For example, Red Boat, a premium brand with no added water, contains 4 grams of protein per tablespoon. Squid and Megachef, both great everyday-use options, contain 2 grams. Lucky, a cheap brand I do not recommend you touch, contains zero grams of protein.

Some brands use a “degree N” number to show how much protein is in their fish sauce. For example, Red Boat uses 40°N and Megachef uses 30°N. The higher the number, the more protein.

You might notice that some brands contain added protein. Three Crabs fish sauce has 2 grams of protein, but it also lists “hydrolyzed wheat protein” as an ingredient. (Hydrolyzed wheat protein is a flavor enhancer, similar to MSG. I don’t think the amount added changes the total amount of protein in a serving, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Important takeaway: Choose fish sauce with at least 2 grams of protein per tablespoon.

Where to get a wholesale Nam Ngu fish sauce?

FAQ

Where is fish sauce in the supermarket?

The Default I imagine that’s why its fish sauce is practically always in the Asian section of the supermarket.

What is another name for fish sauce?

In English garum was formerly translated as fish pickle. The original Worcestershire sauce is a related product because it is fermented and contains anchovies.

Is fish sauce refrigerated?

Fish Sauce – No The high concentration of salt in fish sauce means it won’t go bad at room temperature, but the color may lighten and the flavor will become more complex as the sauce ages. Keeping it in the fridge will slow this down.

Where can I find fish sauce?

Fish sauce is commonly kept in the Asian or International food aisle, or section of the condiment aisle. You might even find it in promotional sections or even on the end of aisles too! As such, it can actually be quite a tricky one to find! So, perhaps the best thing you can do is to actually go ahead and ask the staff at the grocery store.

What is fish sauce?

As previously mentioned, fish sauce is a condiment and cooking ingredient made from fermented fish. According to the experts at Red Boat (aka makers of the famous fish sauce), fish sauce begins with fresh anchovies that are then covered in copious amounts of salt and left to ferment in vats for at least 12 months.

Where should fish sauce be stored?

Store it in a cool dark place, like the pantry, and away from any hot areas in your kitchen, like directly above the stove. You should avoid storing fish sauce in the fridge because cold temperatures will cause the salt to crystallize over time.

Can you use fish sauce at home?

At home, fish sauce is easy to incorporate into your meals due to how inexpensive and readily accessible it is. It’s made of only a few ingredients, and you can always pick it up at your local grocery store in time to spice up your next meal. On top of all that, fish sauce is easy to store for future use.