Fish sauce anchovies among other ingredients. Fish sauce Fish sauce is a liquid condiment made from fish that have been coated in salt and fermented for up to two years. It is used as a staple seasoning in the cuisines of Southeast and East Asia, particularly Indonesian, Burmese, Cambodian, Filipino, Thai, Lao, and Vietnamese. Following widespread recognition of its ability to impart a savory umami flavor to dishes, it has been embraced globally by chefs and home cooks. The "umami" flavor in fish sauce is due to its glutamate content. Soy sauce is regarded by some in the West as a vegetarian
Fish sauce at the table as a condiment, for instance in noodle soups. Nearly every Thai meal is served with "phrik nam pla" as a condiment: a mixture of fish sauce, lime juice, and chopped bird's eye chilies. Sliced garlic and lemon juice are often added to this sauce. Historically, there were two types of fish sauce made in Thailand: that made with a fresh-water fish, "pla soi", and sauce made from a salt-water fish, "pla kratak". Either fish is fermented for at least eight months, three parts fish to two parts salt. The resulting mash is filtered. This yields the best