Essential Vietnamese Fish Sauces You Should Have in Your Kitchen
Fish sauce (nước mắm) is the heart of Vietnamese cooking — used for dipping, marinating, stir-frying, and seasoning. But not all fish sauces are the same! At Gánh Xưa Minimart, we offer a curated range of high-quality options for every taste and dish. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right one:
🥇 1. Nước Mắm Cốt Truyền Thống (Traditional First-Press Fish Sauce)
This is the purest, most authentic form of fish sauce — made from anchovies and salt, naturally fermented for months, and taken from the very first press. It’s thick, dark amber in color, and packed with deep umami flavor.
Best for: Making premium dipping sauces (nước chấm), pairing with boiled meat, or enhancing special dishes where the fish sauce stands out on its own.
🐟 2. Salmon Fish Sauce (Mắm Cá Hồi)
A modern variation made from fermented salmon, offering a lighter, less pungent aroma. It’s slightly sweeter and milder, making it perfect for those who are new to fish sauce or prefer a more delicate taste.
Best for: Light salad dressings, fresh spring rolls (gỏi cuốn), or even as a dipping sauce for seafood.
⭐ 3. Nam Ngu Fish Sauce
One of the most popular household brands in Vietnam. Nam Ngư has a balanced taste — not too salty or intense — and is widely used for daily cooking. It’s also affordable and very accessible.
Best for: Everyday stir-fries, fried rice, soups, and light dipping sauces for family meals.
✨ 4. 60N Hanh Phuc Fish Sauce
A premium fish sauce with 60°N (grams of nitrogen per liter), which indicates a very high protein level and concentration. It’s rich, deep in flavor, and has a thick consistency — often reserved for dipping or finishing dishes.
Best for: Dipping sauces with chili and garlic, pairing with boiled pork belly (thịt luộc), or as a flavorful drizzle over steamed rice.
🌿 5. 40N Fish Sauce (Thuận Phát / Hưng Thịnh)
This mid-premium fish sauce, with a protein level of 40°N, offers a clean, balanced flavor that’s neither too light nor overly intense. Whether you’re using Thuận Phát or Hưng Thịnh, both deliver a smooth saltiness and subtle aroma that work well in a variety of dishes. It’s richer than entry-level sauces like Nam Ngư, yet more approachable than the boldness of 60N types.
Best for: Stir-fries, seasoning soups, or mixing into nước chấm for grilled meats — perfect for home cooks who want one versatile, great-value fish sauce for both cooking and dipping.
🏺 6. Yellow Label Lien Thanh Fish Sauce
A heritage brand from Huế, one of the oldest fish sauce producers in Vietnam. Known for its slightly sweet, fragrant profile and smooth taste. This sauce captures the culinary essence of Central Vietnam.
Best for: Dishes with strong herbal elements, Central-style bún bò Huế, or traditional cơm hến (clam rice).
🥈 7. De Nhi Fish Sauce
A classic name with a strong, salty flavor and bold aroma. It’s slightly more pungent than others, which makes it ideal for dishes where the sauce is cooked or blended with other intense ingredients.
Best for: Caramelized dishes like thịt kho trứng, grilled pork marinades, or savory stir-fried recipes.
🏝 8. Phu Quoc Fish Sauce
From the fish sauce capital of Vietnam, this variety is often labeled with protected designation of origin (PDO). Made from anchovies caught off Phú Quốc island and fermented in wooden barrels, it has a strong umami punch and a signature deep amber color.
Best for: Traditional Vietnamese dipping sauces, premium phở broth, or as a finishing touch for classic dishes.
🛒 Find Them All at Gánh Xưa Minimart
Every Vietnamese dish tells a story — and the fish sauce you choose is a key ingredient in that story. Whether you prefer something light and modern or rich and traditional, Gánh Xưa has the perfect match for your kitchen.
📍 Visit us at 28 Lor 13 Geylang, Singapore 388663.
📲 Order online to shop these authentic sauces and bring the true flavor of Vietnam home via Grab, Lazada and Shopee !
