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Fish sauce does a job nothing else quite does. These are the swaps that get closest, and the ones to skip.
The best fish sauce substitute
Use light soy sauce with a squeeze of lime at a one for one ratio. It covers the salt and most of the savoury depth, and the lime stands in for the sharpness. For a closer match, add a little rice vinegar. Vegan fish sauce made from seaweed is the nearest thing of all.
Every substitute, ranked
- Vegan fish sauce. Seaweed based. One for one, and the closest option.
- Soy sauce plus lime. One tbsp soy to a good squeeze of lime.
- Light soy plus rice vinegar. Three parts soy to one part vinegar.
- Worcestershire sauce. Contains anchovy, so it carries real fishy depth. Use half the amount.
- Miso paste thinned with water. Different flavour, but it brings the savoury weight.
What does fish sauce actually do?
Fish sauce is fermented anchovy and salt. It adds salt and a deep savoury note that makes everything else taste more like itself. Used properly it should not make a dish taste of fish. If yours does, you have added too much.
Where to buy fish sauce in the UK
Supermarkets stock it in the world food aisle, usually one Thai brand. Southeast Asian and Chinese supermarkets carry far more choice, including the Vietnamese styles that are lighter and less salty.
- Supermarket world food aisle
- Vietnamese and Thai grocers for the widest range
- Online from Oriental Mart, Starry Mart or Amazon
- Check the label: the best bottles list only anchovy, salt and water
Frequently asked questions
Is fish sauce gluten free?
Usually yes, if the bottle lists only anchovy, salt and water. Some cheaper brands add wheat, so check the label if it matters.
Can I leave fish sauce out entirely?
You can, but the dish will taste flat. Add an extra pinch of salt and something sour, like lime, to partly make up for it.
Does fish sauce go off?
It is preserved by salt and keeps for years. The colour darkens over time, which is harmless. Store it in a cupboard, not the fridge.
Is oyster sauce a good swap?
Not really. Oyster sauce is thick and sweet where fish sauce is thin and salty. Use soy and lime instead.
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- Fish sauce. The real thing, salty and strong.
- Light soy sauce. A milder swap for readers who avoid fish sauce.
