Out of Fish sauce, one case
Thai fish sauce substitute for Thai cooking
6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Soy sauce + rice vinegar + sugar
Per 1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp soy sauce + 1 tsp rice vinegar + ½ tsp sugar
The best fish sauce substitute for Thai cooking is soy sauce with rice vinegar and sugar. Use 1 tablespoon soy sauce + 1 teaspoon rice vinegar + ½ teaspoon sugar for 1 tablespoon fish sauce. Oyster sauce also works well for stir-fries and curries, but it's sweeter and thicker than fish sauce.
- Best for —
- pad thai
One casethe full fish sauce card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of 1 tbsp fish sauce |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soy sauce + rice vinegar + sugarpad thai | 1 tbsp soy sauce + 1 tsp rice vinegar + ½ tsp sugar |
| 2 | Oyster saucestir-fries | Same amount |
| 3 | Soy sauce + lime juicepad thai | 1 tbsp soy sauce + 1 tsp lime juice |
| 4 | Mushroom soy saucecurries | Same amount |
| 5 | Tamari + rice vinegargluten-free thai dishes | 1 tbsp tamari + 1 tsp rice vinegar |
| 6 | Worcestershire saucemarinades | Same amount |
Soy sauce + rice vinegar + sugar
salty, tangy, slightly sweet
Authentic Thai-style combination that mimics fish sauce's salty, tangy, and slightly sweet profile
- Best for
- pad thai, thai curries, stir-fries, soups, dressings
- Texture
- liquid
This combination most closely matches the flavor profile of Thai fish sauce.
Oyster sauce
sweet, umami, savory
Sweet, thick sauce commonly used in Thai cooking as fish sauce alternative
- Best for
- stir-fries, noodles, curries, marinades
- Texture
- thick, syrupy
Much sweeter than fish sauce, so reduce sugar in your recipe when using.
Soy sauce + lime juice
salty, tangy, umami
Simple combination with citrus acidity that works well in Thai dishes
- Best for
- pad thai, stir-fries, soups, dressings, marinades
- Texture
- liquid
Lime juice provides the acidity that's essential in Thai cooking.
Mushroom soy sauce
salty, umami, earthy
Enhanced soy sauce with deeper umami flavor for authentic Thai taste
- Best for
- curries, soups, stir-fries, noodles, marinades
- Texture
- liquid
Provides more complex umami than regular soy sauce, closer to fish sauce.
Tamari + rice vinegar
salty, umami, mild acidity
Gluten-free alternative with authentic Asian flavor profile
- Best for
- gluten-free thai dishes, stir-fries, soups, marinades
- Texture
- liquid
Tamari has richer flavor than regular soy sauce and works well in Thai cooking.
Worcestershire sauce
umami, savory, slightly sweet
Fermented sauce with similar umami depth and savory characteristics
- Best for
- marinades, sauces, stir-fries, soups
- Texture
- liquid
Contains anchovies so not suitable for vegetarians, but has similar fermented umami.
How it behaves in this recipe
Thai fish sauce (nam pla) is lighter and less pungent than other fish sauces, with a slightly sweeter profile. It's used in small amounts to add salty umami depth to dishes. When substituting, you need to replicate both the saltiness and the subtle sweetness that's characteristic of Thai fish sauce, which is why the soy sauce + rice vinegar + sugar combination works particularly well.
Tips for substituting fish sauce
8 tips- For authentic Thai flavor, use soy sauce + rice vinegar + sugar as it most closely matches fish sauce
- Oyster sauce works well in Thai stir-fries and curries, but reduce other sweet ingredients
- Lime juice is essential in Thai cooking, so it's a good choice for fish sauce substitute
- Mushroom soy sauce provides deeper umami that's closer to authentic fish sauce
- For pad thai, the soy sauce + rice vinegar + sugar combination works best
- In Thai curries, oyster sauce can add both umami and sweetness
- Always taste and adjust - Thai food relies on balance of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy
- Consider the dish - stir-fries work well with oyster sauce, soups work better with soy sauce combinations
Notes on fish sauce
- Miso paste + water for umami depth
- Seaweed + soy sauce for ocean-like umami
- Fermented black bean sauce for complex umami
- Coconut aminos for soy-free option
- Liquid smoke for depth and complexity
Questions
6 questionsWhat is the best substitute for fish sauce in Thai cooking?
The best substitute for fish sauce in Thai cooking is soy sauce combined with rice vinegar and sugar. Use 1 tablespoon soy sauce + 1 teaspoon rice vinegar + ½ teaspoon sugar for every tablespoon of fish sauce needed.
Can I use oyster sauce instead of fish sauce in Thai food?
Yes, oyster sauce can substitute for fish sauce in Thai cooking, especially in stir-fries and curries. However, it's much sweeter than fish sauce, so reduce other sweet ingredients in your recipe.
What can I use instead of fish sauce for pad thai?
For pad thai, use soy sauce with rice vinegar and sugar. This combination provides the salty, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor that fish sauce contributes to the dish.
Is there a vegetarian substitute for fish sauce in Thai cooking?
Yes, for vegetarian Thai cooking, use mushroom soy sauce, miso paste with water, or soy sauce with rice vinegar and sugar. These provide umami depth without any fish products.
Can I use Worcestershire sauce in Thai food?
Worcestershire sauce can work in Thai food as it has similar umami characteristics to fish sauce. However, it's not as commonly used in Thai cooking as soy sauce combinations.
What's the difference between Thai fish sauce and regular fish sauce?
Thai fish sauce (nam pla) is typically lighter and less pungent than Vietnamese fish sauce. It's also slightly sweeter, which is why the soy sauce + rice vinegar + sugar combination works well as a substitute.