Fish Sauce
Fermented anchovy extract, the salt-and-umami backbone of Southeast Asian food.
Nutrition per 100 g
Standardised to 100 g of fish sauce for fair comparison. Typical serving: 1 tbsp (18 g) — 6 kcal per 18 g serving.
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per serving (18 g) | Per 100 kcal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 33 kcal | 6 kcal | 100 kcal |
| Protein | 5 g | 0.9 g | 15 g |
| Carbohydrate | 3.9 g | 0.7 g | 11.7 g |
| Fat | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g |
| Fibre | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g |
Figures are typical values and vary with variety, preparation and brand.
Micronutrients
Vitamins and minerals per 100 g of fish sauce, with a typical serving and FDA Daily Value for adults.
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per serving (18 g) | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamins | |||
| Vitamin A | 4 µg | 0.72 µg | <1% |
| Vitamin C | 0.5 mg | 0.09 mg | <1% |
| Vitamin D | 0 µg | 0 µg | 0% |
| Vitamin E | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin K | 0 µg | 0 µg | 0% |
| Thiamin | 0.012 mg | 0.002 mg | 1% |
| Riboflavin | 0.057 mg | 0.01 mg | 4% |
| Niacin | 2.3 mg | 0.41 mg | 14% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.4 mg | 0.072 mg | 24% |
| Folate | 51 µg | 9.2 µg | 13% |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.48 µg | 0.086 µg | 20% |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.12 mg | 0.022 mg | 2% |
| Choline | 13.2 mg | 2.4 mg | 2% |
| Minerals | |||
| Calcium | 43 mg | 7.7 mg | 3% |
| Iron | 0.78 mg | 0.14 mg | 4% |
| Magnesium | 175 mg | 31.5 mg | 42% |
| Phosphorus | 7 mg | 1.3 mg | <1% |
| Potassium | 288 mg | 51.8 mg | 6% |
| Sodium | 7851 mg | 1413 mg | 341% |
| Zinc | 0.2 mg | 0.036 mg | 2% |
| Selenium | 9.1 µg | 1.6 µg | 17% |
| Copper | 0.05 mg | 0.009 mg | 6% |
| Manganese | 0.23 mg | 0.041 mg | 10% |
Source: USDA FoodData Central — Sauce, fish, ready-to-serve
% DV uses FDA Daily Values for adults. Nutrients that USDA does not report for this entry are omitted. Values vary with variety, preparation and brand.
Why eat fish sauce?
- Enormous flavour impact per teaspoon.
- Almost calorie-free.
How to include it
- Balance with lime and a little sugar in dressings.
- Add sparingly to curries and stir-fries.
Things to consider
- Very high in sodium.
- Contains fish, so it is not vegetarian.
Educational content. This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Speak to a qualified health professional about your individual circumstances.
Related foods
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Fermented soybean seasoning that supplies deep umami — and a lot of salt.
- kcal
- 56
- protein
- 8.1 g
- fibre
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Anchovies, drained, tinned
A tiny tinned fish that adds savoury depth, with calcium from the soft bones.
- kcal
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- protein
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- fibre
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Miso Paste
Fermented soybean paste that delivers deep savoury flavour from a single spoonful.
- kcal
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- fibre
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