How Much Soy Sauce to Substitute for Fish Sauce
Works for sauteing, slow cook, and raw cold. Soy Sauce comes across milder than Fish Sauce.
How much soy sauce equals one cup of fish sauce?
Use 2/3 cup soy sauce per cup fish sauce.
Health notes
Compared with Fish Sauce, Soy Sauce has: more calories (90 vs 35 per 100g in Fish Sauce), more protein (8.2g vs 5.1g per 100g in Fish Sauce), and more carbs (14.4g vs 3.6g per 100g in Fish Sauce).
Using soy sauce as a fish sauce substitute in pan-frying
Use 2/3 cup per cup fish sauce. Adds umami and saltiness. Won't brown or caramelize like fish sauce.
Other cooking methods
- Slow Cook
Use 2/3 cup per cup fish sauce. Flavor deepens over hours. Less pungent than fish sauce.
- Raw Cold
Use 2/3 cup per cup fish sauce. Works in dressings and dips. Milder, less funky.
- Drinks
Use 2/3 cup per cup fish sauce. Works in savory drinks and broths. Less pungent.
Methods to avoid (4)
- Baking
Not recommended: soy sauce adds moisture and salt; won't work in dry batters.
- Frying
Not recommended: soy sauce won't crisp or build fond like fish sauce.
- Grilling
Not recommended: soy sauce lacks the pungency and acid to season grilled proteins.
- Steaming
Not recommended: soy sauce won't season steamed dishes as effectively as fish sauce.
FAQ
- How much soy sauce equals one cup of fish sauce?
Use 2/3 cup soy sauce per cup fish sauce.
- Can I substitute soy sauce for Fish Sauce in pan-frying?
Yes. Use 2/3 cup per cup fish sauce. Adds umami and saltiness. Won't brown or caramelize like fish sauce. Not recommended: soy sauce adds moisture and salt; won't work in dry batters.
- How much soy sauce to use as a fish sauce substitute?
Less pungent and funky. Add lime juice and a pinch of salt to sharpen the profile.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Soy Sauce for Fish Sauce?
Soy sauce comes across milder than fish sauce.
- How does texture change when substituting Soy Sauce for Fish Sauce?
Soy sauce no change. Soy sauce remains liquid and won't thicken or alter mouthfeel.
- What else should I know about substituting Soy Sauce for Fish Sauce?
For stir-fries, braises, soups, and dressings. Expect deeper umami but less pungency and funk. Skip grilling, frying, and baking. Soy sauce is less salty and more mellow - add a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lime to round out the flavor. Won't build the same savory punch.
- What still works when substituting Soy Sauce for Fish Sauce?
Soy sauce still works as a flavor carrier, umami, preservative, and acid.
- What won't work when substituting Soy Sauce for Fish Sauce?
Soy sauce won't work as a pungency.
- How well does Soy Sauce match Fish Sauce?
Soy sauce is good on structure, good on heat, and stretch on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Soy Sauce for Fish Sauce?
Soy sauce has about x3 more calories, x31 more fat, x7 more sat. fat, and x2 more protein.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Soy Sauce for Fish Sauce?
The flavor shifts toward more sweet, less pungent, and less umami notes.