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Best Substitutes for Fish Sauce

Fish sauce delivers salt plus deep fermented umami. Vegan swaps rebuild that with soy, miso, or seaweed — you're layering, not just replacing.

The substitutes, with ratios

Soy sauce/tamari + splash of lime (1:1)

Best for: Stir-fries, dipping sauces, fried rice

The quick default; tamari keeps it GF.

White miso thinned with water (1 tsp miso + 1 tsp water per 1 tsp fish sauce)

Best for: Soups and marinades

Vegan fish sauce (seaweed-based) (1:1)

Best for: Pad thai, papaya salad — closest match

Watch out

Fish sauce is saltier than soy sauce by volume in many brands — taste before adding the full amount, and finish the dish with extra lime to recreate its brightness.

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Frequently asked questions

What can vegetarians use instead of fish sauce in pad thai?

Equal parts soy sauce (or tamari) with a squeeze of lime, or a seaweed-based vegan fish sauce for the closest flavor. Add a pinch of sugar to balance, as pad thai expects fish sauce's roundness.

Related guides: Soy Sauce · Worcestershire Sauce · Ground Beef · All guides