Fish sauce

น้ำปลา nam pla / nước mắm

Flavor and role

A clear liquid made by fermenting anchovies or other fish in salt. It gives strong saltiness and deep savoury flavour, and the fishy smell fades with heating.

Typical dishes and uses

Pad thai, pho broth, pad kra pao, Vietnamese braised pork, nuoc cham

Substitutes

1 tbsp fish sauce = 1 tbsp Korean anchovy fish sauce (closest), or 1 tbsp soy sauce + a pinch of salt + a little minced anchovy.

Storage

Unopened: 2-3 years at room temperature. Opened: 1 year in a cool place; refrigerated, the aroma lasts longer. Salt crystals forming is normal.

Main countries

Thailand · Vietnam · Philippines

Used in this book

Pad ThaiPho Bo (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup)Pad Kra Pao with Fried EggThit Kho (Vietnamese Caramel Pork and Eggs)Bánh Mì Thịt Nướng (Grilled Pork Bánh Mì)Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese Crispy Sizzling Crêpes)Bún Chả (Hanoi Grilled Pork with Rice Noodles)Cơm Tấm Sườn Nướng (Broken Rice with Grilled Pork Chop)Fish Amok (Amok Trey)Thai Green Curry with Chicken (Gaeng Keow Wan)Khao SoiLarb Gai (Thai Minced Chicken Salad)Massaman CurryMohinga (Burmese Fish Noodle Soup)Sinigang na Baboy (Pork Tamarind Sour Soup)Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)Thieboudienne (Senegalese Fish and Rice)Tom Kha GaiTom Yum Goong (Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup)Thai Red Curry Coconut AlbóndigasBánh Mì Rice BowlCrispy Mekong-Style Bánh Xèo with Mung Beans and Coconut CreamKimchi Bánh Xèo with Pork Belly and Gochujang Dipping SauceCrispy Bánh Xèo Shrimp Salad BowlCharcoal Bún Chả with Homemade Caramel and Crispy ShallotsBún Chả Burger with Pickled Carrot and Sriracha MayoCrispy Vermicelli Cake with Bún Chả MeatballsPenang hawker-style char kway teow with crispy lardCoconut Lemongrass Clam ChowderCharcoal Cơm Tấm Sườn Chả with Steamed Egg MeatloafCơm Tấm Tacos with Lemongrass Pork and Scallion OilCơm Tấm Rice BurgerKhao Soi-Style Coconut Curry Dak-kalguksuThai Red Curry Coconut Dal with Lemongrass TadkaTom Yum Egg Drop Soup (Thai x Chinese)Silky Amok with Toasted Kroeung and Coconut CreamAmok Moules Marinière with BaguetteBaked Amok Fish Toasts with Lime MayoThai Red Curry Coconut FiskesuppeThai Lemongrass GambasCrispy Rice Paper Shrimp DumplingsGreen Curry with Hand-Pounded PasteGreen Curry Shrimp Spaghetti (Thai-Italian)Green Curry Fried Rice with Crispy Fried EggThai-Style Coconut Chicken and Squash CurrySmoky Seafood Jjamppong with Homemade Chili OilChiang Mai Khao Soi with Hand-Made PasteKhao Soi Curry UdonKhao Soi Fried RicePrawn Laksa SpaghettiLaksa Butter Fried RiceHand-Chopped Larb Gai with Lemongrass Khao Khua and Crispy Chicken SkinLarb Gai Tacos with Pickled Red Onion and Sriracha CreamCrispy Larb Gai Rice Paper Dumplings with Lime-Chilli DipDouble-Fried Pork and Shrimp Lumpia with Sweet-and-Sour SauceSlow-Braised Beef Shin Massaman with Whole SpicesMassaman Chicken Pot PieMassaman Chicken Loaded FriesThai Red Curry Coconut Lentil SoupMohinga with Fish-Bone Broth, Toasted Rice and Crispy ShallotsMohinga Ramen with Soy-Marinated EggMohinga Fried Rice with Toasted Chickpea CrunchThai red curry moqueca with lemongrassThai Red Curry Coconut CouscousHand-Chopped Pork Kra Pao with Crispy Fried BasilKra Pao Garlic-Butter SpaghettiKra Pao Cheese ToastiePad Thai Goong with Shrimp-Head OilGochujang Bulgogi Pad ThaiCrispy Pad Thai Rice Paper RollsTom Yum Seafood PaellaCrispy Pork Pancit Canton-BihonPhở Đặc Biệt with 4-Hour Oxtail BrothPhở French Dip SandwichPhở-Spiced Beef Fried RiceTom Yum Shoyu Ramen with PrawnsTom Kha Coconut SamgyetangTom Yum Shabu-ShabuClear-Broth Pork Rib Sinigang with Fresh Tamarind ExtractSinigang Ramen with Seared Pork BellySinigang Tamarind WingsTam Thai with Grilled PrawnsSom Tam Chicken TacosSom Tam Summer RollsTom Yum Sundubu JjigaeThit Kho To (Clay-Pot Caramel Pork Belly with Pickled Bean Sprouts)Thit Kho Ramen (Caramel Pork Belly and Jammy Eggs)Caramel Pork and Egg Mayo ToastTom Kha Gai with Quick Bone Stock and Charred AromaticsTom Kha Coconut Miso RamenTom Kha Creamy Chicken Rice BowlCreamy Tom Yum Goong Nam Khon with Shrimp-Head StockTom Yum Shrimp Cream SpaghettiCrispy Tom Yum Fried Rice with Jammy EggThai Coconut Lemongrass White Chicken Chili

Updated 2026-10-10