Where to Buy Fish Sauce: A Guide to Finding the Best Fish Sauce for Cooking

Fish sauce is a staple ingredient in many Asian cuisines adding a savory umami flavor to dishes. But with so many options available how do you know where to buy the best quality fish sauce? I’ve tried my fair share of fish sauces over the years, and put together this guide on where to find high-quality fish sauce for all your cooking needs.

What is Fish Sauce?

For those unfamiliar fish sauce is a liquid condiment made from fermented fish that is used in many Southeast Asian cooking traditions. It has a very pungent salty flavor that adds great depth of flavor to dishes. The most commonly used fish for fish sauce is anchovies.

The fish is layered with salt and placed in large containers to ferment for up to two years. The salt draws out the fish juices and the mixture ferments. The clear brown liquid that results is the fish sauce while the leftover fish solids are removed. The best quality fish sauces use whole fish and sea salt and are fermented for over a year.

Types of Fish Sauce

There are a few main types and grades of fish sauce:

• Vietnamese Fish Sauce (Nuoc Mam) – Made using anchovies and fermented up to 2 years. The Vietnamese grading system is based on protein level, with higher protein levels indicating higher quality. The main grades are:

  • Nước mắm pha – The lowest grade, diluted with water to lower production costs.
  • Nước mắm cốt – Higher protein content of over 30%.
  • Nước mắm nhi – Premium grade sauce with over 40% protein.

• Thai Fish Sauce (Nam Pla) – Also uses anchovies and a long fermentation. Generally not graded.

• Korean Fish Sauce (Aekjeot) – Uses sand lance fish and is fermented for several months. Graded by fermentation length.

• Japanese Fish Sauce (Ishiru) – Made from squid, fish, or kelp. Milder flavor.

Where to Buy Fish Sauce

Now that you know a bit about the various types of fish sauce, here is where you can find high-quality fish sauce for cooking:

Asian Grocery Stores

One of the best places to buy authentic fish sauce is at an Asian grocery store. Stores specializing in Vietnamese, Thai, or Korean ingredients will have a good selection of fish sauces from those cuisines.

Look for brands like Tiparos, Three Crabs, Golden Boy, and Squid. Check the ingredient list and look for sauces made with only fish and salt, without added sugar or MSG. The staff at these specialty stores can also give you good recommendations.

Online Retailers

If you don’t live near an Asian market, purchasing fish sauce online is convenient. Amazon and Walmart have a wide selection available for delivery.

Some reputable brands to look for include Red Boat, Megachef, and Thai Kitchen. Make sure to compare ingredients, prices and reviews before choosing a brand. Also check shipping costs and delivery timelines.

For premium and artisanal fish sauces, check out:

• Red Boat’s website directly has a great selection of their nuoc mam sauces. Their 40N and 50N sauces are top notch.

• BLiS Barrel Aged Fish Sauce offers unique bourbon and wine barrel-aged fish sauces.

• HAKU also makes some unique Japanese fish sauces like a whiskey barrel aged variety.

Specialty Grocery Stores

Well-stocked supermarkets and specialty grocers like Whole Foods will often have a selection of fish sauces in the Asian ingredients section. They may not have as wide a selection as an Asian market, but are convenient.

Look for sauces that contain anchovies, salt, and no other additives. Tiparos, Squid, and Thai Kitchen are some decent grocery store brands. The higher priced options tend to be better quality.

Mail Order & Subscription Boxes

For those who really want to try unique artisanal fish sauces from around the world delivered right to your door, consider a specialty fish sauce subscription box.

These types of services will ship out different premium fish sauce varieties each month. It’s a great way to experiment with new flavors and discover new brands you may not find locally. Here are a couple good subscription options:

• Umami Box
• Sauce Box

What to Look for When Buying Fish Sauce

To get the best quality fish sauce for your recipes, keep these tips in mind when shopping:

• Check the ingredients. Look for fish sauce made with only fish (preferably anchovies) and salt, without added sugars or MSG.

• Look for sauces that have been fermented for at least 12 months. Longer fermentation means better flavor.

• For Vietnamese nuoc mam, choose bottles that are 40N or higher grade for optimal flavor and protein levels.

• Higher priced fish sauces are typically better quality than cheaper bottles.

• Buy fish sauces packaged in glass bottles when possible to avoid chemical leaching from plastic.

• Refrigerate after opening to preserve freshness and prevent mold growth.

• Vietnamese and Thai fish sauces tend to have the strongest, briniest flavor. Korean and Japanese varieties are usually milder.

• If buying online, consider the shipping costs and delivery timeline.

How Much to Buy

Fish sauce has a very long shelf life before opening, so it’s fine to buy larger bottles to stock up. The main consideration is that fish sauce should be refrigerated after opening.

Here are some general fish sauce quantity guidelines depending on usage:

• For occasional use, a 7-17 oz bottle will last for many months refrigerated.

• For regular cooking, buy a larger 25-34 oz bottle and transfer portions to a smaller container for fridge storage once opened.

• For frequent use or cooking in bulk, buy 1 liter/34 oz bottles or multi-packs. The larger sizes are the most economical.

• For fish sauce connoisseurs, try a variety of smaller premium bottles to experiment with different types.

Storing Fish Sauce

To extend the shelf life of your fish sauce after opening, proper storage is key:

• Keep fish sauce in the refrigerator after opening – this prevents microbial growth and preserves the flavor.

• Transfer leftover fish sauce from the original bottle to a smaller air-tight container to reduce air exposure. Limiting air helps prevent oxidation.

• Store fish sauce towards the back of the fridge, which tends to be colder. The optimal storage temperature is below 40°F.

• If refrigeration is not possible, add a thin layer of oil on top of the fish sauce inside the closed bottle. This helps block air exposure.

• Do not freeze fish sauce, as this can negatively impact texture and flavor. Refrigeration is preferred.

That covers just about everything you need to know to find high-quality fish sauce! With so many options from Asian grocery stores to online shopping, you can get your hands on delicious fish sauce to enhance your cooking. Look for authentic brands made with anchovies, salt and long fermentation periods for the best flavor and quality. Check ingredients lists, and refrigerate after opening. With the right fish sauce, you can add that savory umami punch to all your Asian dishes.