is oyster sauce the same as fish sauce

What is oyster sauce?

Oyster sauce is a popular condiment in Asian cuisine. It's made from oysters, soy sauce, and other seasonings. It has a rich, savory, and slightly sweet flavor and is commonly used to add depth and umami to stir-fries, marinades, and various dishes.

Oyster sauce is a savory condiment that originated in China. It is made by simmering oysters in water until a thick, flavorful sauce is obtained. The sauce is then strained and thickened with a starch, such as cornstarch, to achieve its characteristic consistency. Oyster sauce is known for its rich umami flavor, which adds depth and complexity to dishes.

Most commercial versions add cornstarch as a thickening agent and monosodium glutamate (MSG) for umami. It's used in classic dishes like bò lúc lắc (shaking beef) and to tone down the bitterness of stir-fried greens. If you’re a vegetarian or allergic to shellfish, you can use a vegetarian oyster sauce substitute (usually made from mushrooms rather than oyster extract).

What is Fish sauce?

Fish sauce is a salty liquid condiment made by combining fish such as anchovies with sea salt; this mixture is then left to ferment in a closed container for at least one month. After fermenting, the liquid is poured off to yield first-press fish sauce. Fermented fish sauce is an essential ingredient in Southeast Asian cooking. This popular condiment has a salty, savory flavor that can be intense when raw. When cooked, it mellows out, leaving behind a rich umami flavor.

Fish sauce is a pungent, salty liquid condiment made from fermented fish. It's a common ingredient in many Southeast Asian and East Asian cuisines. Fish sauce adds a strong umami flavor to dishes and is often used as a seasoning or dipping sauce for various foods, like stir-fries, soups, and dipping sauces. It's a staple in dishes such as Thai and Vietnamese cuisine.

What Are the Differences?

oyster sauce and fish sauce are not the same. They are two distinct condiments with different ingredients and flavors:

1. Oyster sauce: Oyster sauce is made from oysters, typically with soy sauce, sugar, and other seasonings. It has a rich, savory, and slightly sweet flavor. Oyster sauce is commonly used in stir-fries and as a glaze or marinade for various dishes.

2. Fish sauce: Fish sauce is made from fermented fish, usually anchovies or other small fish. It has a strong, salty, and umami flavor. Fish sauce is more of a liquid seasoning or dipping sauce and is often used in soups, curries, and as a flavor enhancer in a wide range of Asian dishes.

While they both add depth of flavor to dishes, oyster sauce and fish sauce have distinct tastes and are used differently in cooking.

Taste: Fish sauce is much fishier and saltier in flavor than oyster sauce, which has more of a sweet and briny taste to it.

Ingredients: Fish sauce typically is made out of a base of fermented anchovies. As its name reflects, oyster sauce is made out of reduced and caramelized oysters.

Appearance: Fish sauce is a clear condiment that has a deep, red-brown color tint to it, whereas oyster sauce is a dark, opaque brown sauce more similar to a syrup.

Consistency: Oyster sauce contains sugar and cornstarch, giving it a thicker consistency than fish sauce, which is a bit thinner and more liquidy.

Aroma: Fish sauce has an unmistakable, pungent aroma that is very strong. Oyster sauce’s aroma is a little bit more subtle and not quite as fishy.

You can buy both these sauces from JOLION Foods. Once opened, refrigerate them. It is better to use oyster sauce within six months from the date of opening. It is said that, fish sauce stays good for almost a year, from the date of opening. However, make sure to store them in air-tight containers.

Now that you know the basic differences between oyster sauce and fish sauce, you can use the right sauce for a given recipe, and derive the best flavors from it.

Choose Our JOLION Sauces to start your delicious life.