Is Fish sauce vegan?
Not vegan
No — fish sauce is fermented anchovies and salt.
Also listed as: nuoc mam, nam pla, patis
Key facts
- Verdict
- Not vegan
- Category
- Condiments
- Also listed as
- nuoc mam, nam pla, patis
- Best swap
- Seaweed + soy sauce
Why
It gives Southeast Asian cooking its salty depth. Vegan versions ferment pineapple, soy or seaweed and hit a very similar note.
What to check on the label
- Anchovy extract in curry pastes
- Fish sauce in dressings and dips
- "Vegan fish sauce" labels
Swap it for
Seaweed + soy sauceVegan fish sauceLight soy + lime + sugar
Questions people ask
How do I replicate the funk?
Simmer kombu in soy sauce with a little sugar and lime; add miso for depth.
Are curry pastes vegan?
Often not — shrimp paste and fish sauce are standard. Check for vegan-labelled pastes.
More condiments checks
Reviewed 2026-09-16 by the Veg.ac editorial team · Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 with a link back.