Fish Sauce – The Original Ketchup

Fish sauce is an amazing and versatile condiment with a surprisingly rich history that probably hits closer to home than you’d expect. Ketchup was actually based on fish sauce which was found by explorers in what is now Malaysia where it had come from China.

The sauce of fermented fish and spiced brine made its way across Asia spreading through Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and of course Thailand becoming a staple on every table.

Like people tend to do with everyday staples, they got creative with it. In Thailand you are likely to see fish sauce dressed up in a number of different ways, and it serves as the base for many dipping sauces. As a general purpose condiment on the table it is only lightly augmented.

The small chilies that are called “mouse poop chilies”, or things in the onion and garlic family are quite commonly sliced thin and allowed to marinade in fish sauce for a while then served with the sauce at table side, to be added as desired with a small spoon. This adds an incredible blast of flavor that goes well with any plant or protein from sea, land, or air.

But this is just beginner stuff, if you want to pick up some serious techniques from masters of the craft check out our Thai Food and Cooking Tour!