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Best Substitutes for Fish Sauce

Out of fish sauce, or need a vegetarian alternative? Here are four ranked substitutes with exact ratios.
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  1. #1

    Soy sauce + a squeeze of lime — 1:1, plus a small squeeze of lime juice

    Best for: Vegetarian/vegan cooking

    Lacks fish sauce's deep umami funk, but adds comparable saltiness and a similar savory backbone.

  2. #2

    Worcestershire sauce — 1:1

    Best for: Western dishes wanting umami depth

    Contains anchovies, so not vegetarian, but its flavor profile is genuinely close to fish sauce's savory funk.

  3. #3

    Oyster sauce, thinned with water — Use half the amount, thinned with a little water

    Best for: Stir-fries

    Sweeter and thicker than fish sauce; works well in cooked dishes but not in dipping sauces.

  4. #4

    Miso paste, thinned with water — 1 tsp miso whisked into 1 tbsp water, per tablespoon of fish sauce

    Best for: Vegetarian/vegan cooking

    A different but genuinely deep umami flavor; works especially well in soups and braises.

There's no true substitute for fish sauce's specific fermented flavor, but soy sauce with lime is the closest everyday pantry swap for most Southeast Asian dishes, while Worcestershire is the better match if a slightly funkier, more complex flavor is wanted and a fish-based product is acceptable.

FAQ

Is there a good vegan substitute for fish sauce?

Yes, soy sauce with a squeeze of lime, or thinned miso paste, are both common vegan substitutes. Some brands also sell a plant-based "vegan fish sauce" made from fermented mushrooms or seaweed.

Can I make my own fish sauce substitute at home?

A quick approximation: simmer soy sauce with a piece of dried seaweed or a splash of clam juice for a few minutes, then strain, it won't fully replicate fish sauce's fermented depth, but adds real savory complexity beyond plain soy sauce alone.

Recipes that work well with these substitutes