Fish sauce and its uses

[badjak]

Mod.edit: interesting posts about fish sauce have been moved from
Going vegetarian in 2026 to form a new topic (MG)

.That's one to try out. Certainly cheaper than the real thing!

Fish sauce is not that expensive here

 

[Z-Cook]

Fish sauce is not that expensive here

Not very expensive anywhere, I think

 

[SoCalZone10]

Fish sauce is not that expensive here

Not the good kind, the good kind which I’ve yet to find is probably expensive. But that’s not the point, why use it, it’s not even necessary.

 

[Z-Cook]

Not the good kind, the good kind which I’ve yet to find is probably expensive. But that’s not the point, why use it, it’s not even necessary.

What is the good kind? And how is it not necessary in recipes that call for it?

 

[SoCalZone10]

What is the good kind? And how is it not necessary in recipes that call for it?

I’ve read it’s more smooth. I don’t think it’s necessary because fish sauce is best to enhance meat, so it doesn’t do anything for vegetables. Soy sauce maybe better. But I use these sauce very sparingly, not frequently either.

 

[Z-Cook]

I’ve read it’s more smooth. I don’t think it’s necessary because fish sauce is best to enhance meat, so it doesn’t do anything for vegetables. Soy sauce maybe better. But I use these sauce very sparingly, not frequently either.

Bit hyperthetical, then

 

[SoCalZone10]

Bit hyperthetical, then

No, from real life experience. But your mileage may vary.

 

[Morning Glory]

I’ve read it’s more smooth. I don’t think it’s necessary because fish sauce is best to enhance meat, so it doesn’t do anything for vegetables. Soy sauce maybe better. But I use these sauce very sparingly, not frequently either.

I personally disagree re fish sauce with vegetables. I've used it many times in Indian and Asian style vegetable dishes. But, as with many things, it depends on personal taste. If you dislike it with vegetables that's fine.

 

[Morning Glory]

I think fish sauce was originally raised mainly because of Windigo's love of Indonesian food which is part of her heritage. Its a condiment commonly used and produced in Indonesia. There are certainly vegetable dishes, such as gado gado which use it. But anyway, there are vegetarian substitutes.

 

[SoCalZone10]

I personally disagree re fish sauce with vegetables. I've used it many times in Indian and Asian style vegetable dishes. But, as with many things, it depends on personal taste. If you dislike it with vegetables that's fine.

Indian and fish sauce? That’s something new.

 

[SoCalZone10]

I think fish sauce was raised mainly because of Windigo's love of Indonesian food which is part of her heritage. Its a condiment commonly used and produced in Indonesia. There are certainly vegetable dishes, such as gado gado which use it. But anyway, there are vegetarian substitutes.

Personally I find cooking vegetarian is pretty easy. I did it for years and do it now. Vegan is trickier. I love eggs and find many uses for them in vegetarian dishes. I will also happily eat a Sunday roast minus the meat. Lots if gravy but no meat!

I’m sure Indonesian food use soy sauce too. But this is vegetarian fish sauce, not real fish sauce. Why not use soy sauce? There are many good Asian vegetarian dishes without using fish sauce, I know my grandmother made excellent vegetarian dishes, so why not explore that versus using some fake sauce.
This is my last comment on this subject.

 

[badjak]

I think fish sauce was raised mainly because of Windigo's love of Indonesian food which is part of her heritage. Its a condiment commonly used and produced in Indonesia. There are certainly vegetable dishes, such as gado gado which use it. But anyway, there are vegetarian substitutes.

Personally I find cooking vegetarian is pretty easy. I did it for years and do it now. Vegan is trickier. I love eggs and find many uses for them in vegetarian dishes. I will also happily eat a Sunday roast minus the meat. Lots if gravy but no meat!

Indonesia actually does not use fish sauce. It's soy and sweet soy.

I do like fish sauce with vegetables. It's used like that in Vietnam and Thailand. Not just for meat.

I did have fish sauce on Phu Quoc, and it was totally different from the standard we can get in the west. It was very smooth, you could eat it on its own, but the "rougher" type is definitely usable.
I suppose you can compare it to olive oil in that respect

 

[Morning Glory]

Indian and fish sauce? That’s something new.

I wrote 'indian style'. No claim to authenticity! I use it often in fish curry and just made a vegetarian egg curry dish with potatoes and peas and fish sauce.

 

[Barriehie]

I personally disagree re fish sauce with vegetables. I've used it many times in Indian and Asian style vegetable dishes. But, as with many things, it depends on personal taste. If you dislike it with vegetables that's fine.

, yep.

 

[Morning Glory]

Indonesia actually does not use fish sauce. It's soy and sweet soy.

My error. I had read about kecap ikan. But perhaps its not commonly used.