Top 8 Key Factors to Choose the Best Fish Sauce

Advertising is a crucial part of selling products. However, you should be cautious about advertisements with phrases like: “super clean,” “essence fish sauce,” “local specialty,”... which are often designed to manipulate consumer psychology.

Always carefully read the ingredients and information on the bottle before being influenced by flashy ads. The protein content greatly impacts the price of the fish sauce, so always check it carefully. Some manufacturers hide the protein content in places that are hard to read, in tiny font sizes, making it difficult for consumers. Stay away from these types of fish sauces.

Whether you're watching ads or purchasing products, it's important to choose products from reputable companies in the market. When issues arise related to food safety, reputable companies will have solutions and provide professional, attentive customer support.

Avoid products from unknown companies or those with a history of being dishonest with customers, failing to meet food safety standards, or ignoring customer complaints. Never choose products that are priced significantly lower than the market. There’s no such thing as a high-quality, safe product that’s also extremely cheap.

To check the thickness (purity) of the fish sauce, pour about one-third of a cup of fish sauce. Then, gently shake it to make the liquid move. If the sauce is thick and leaves a residue on the inside of the cup, it's likely high-quality fish sauce. Pure fish sauce has a certain thickness and will stick to the cup, while diluted versions will be thinner and run off without leaving any residue. This becomes apparent when you shake it lightly.

Moreover, pure fish sauce, with its thick consistency and rich aroma, only requires a small amount (about one-third of a cup) for a meal. It won't taste bland or require multiple dips like diluted fish sauce.

The clarity of the fish sauce is another key factor in identifying high-quality fish sauce, which is why it is typically stored in glass bottles. To test, simply flip the bottle upside down and observe closely.

After a few seconds, small bubbles should begin to form at the bottom of the bottle. If the bubbles are tiny and rise slowly, it indicates that the fish sauce is pure and of good quality. On the other hand, if the bubbles appear quickly and are large, the fish sauce may not be of the highest quality.

Một trong những cách dân gian truyền miệng để kiểm tra nước mắm ngon là thả hạt cơm nguội vào. Nếu thấy dấu hiệu hạt cơm chìm là đây là nước mắm không ngon, cơm nổi lờ đờ là nước mắm chưa nguyên chất còn bị pha, chừng nào cơm nổi ngay đơ trên mặt là nước mắm ngon.

Lý giải về điều này có thể là dự trên nguyên lý tỉ trọng. Nước mắm ngon có hàm lượng axit amin và đạm tổng cao nên thường nặng nên tỉ trọng lớn hơn nươc mắm pha loãng có tỉ trọng nhỏ.

This is the first indicator that can be immediately recognized with the naked eye. Most housewives, who frequently shop for fish sauce, have developed a certain expertise over time. In fact, some are so skilled that they can decide whether to buy a bottle just by looking at it.

To check, bring the bottle into a well-lit area, turn it upside down, and carefully observe the liquid inside. If there are any sediments, it’s best to avoid that bottle. If the liquid is clear, it may be a good choice. A golden color is a reassuring sign, indicating that the fish sauce is likely of high quality. If the color deviates from the typical golden hue, experienced buyers will tend to avoid it.

However, it’s important to note that over time, fish sauce naturally darkens. This is completely normal for traditional fish sauce and should not be a cause for concern.

The protein content in fish sauce is a key indicator of its quality, and it is typically listed on the packaging. If the bottle does not provide this information, it is best to avoid it, as it may be a counterfeit or low-quality product unwilling to disclose the protein level.

Here’s how the protein content is categorized according to Vietnamese standards: Protein content > 30No: Special grade. Protein content > 25No: Premium grade. Protein content > 15No: Grade 1. Protein content > 10No: Grade 2. Keep in mind, excessively high protein content is not ideal for health. Fish sauce made from anchovies in Phu Quoc is known for its aromatic and high protein content, reaching a maximum of 38No. Some types of fish sauce with protein levels as high as 60No may have undergone special processing techniques.

After the visual inspection, flavor is the next crucial factor in determining the quality of fish sauce. The taste directly affects the overall quality of the dishes paired with it, which is why home cooks are especially meticulous about it.

High-quality fish sauce has a subtle, pleasant aroma and a balanced sweet and salty taste with a rich, smooth flavor. Its distinctive fragrance, with a sweet undertone that lingers gently in the throat, indicates it is of good quality. On the other hand, if the taste is overwhelmingly salty and harsh on the tongue, it may be due to low protein content or the use of unapproved additives.