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Fish Sauce

We gathered five products from grocery stores and Asian markets and sampled them over white rice, mixed into a simple Thai dipping sauce, and in our recipe for Vietnamese Caramel Chicken.

Published Sept. 1, 2015

What You Need To Know

What is Fish Sauce?

Fish sauce—which is full of glutamates that enhance flavor in food—is both a condiment and an ingredient. It gets its signature flavor from a potent source: fermented anchovies. Manufacturing methods vary among producers, but the basic process is the same: Fresh, whole anchovies are layered with sea salt and left to ferment in vats for at least 12 months. Over tim...