Red Boat Fish Sauce Is the Real Thing

Published on Friday, July 8, 2011, by Colleen Hubbard / Edit Post

New May Wah Supermarket in the Richmond District carries Red Boat Fish Sauce, a type of nuoc mam nhi that is bottled in Vietnam, unlike many brands that are prepared in Thailand and slapped with misleading labels. sfbing found the good stuff, made only of salt and anchovies from Phu Quoc, and notes that it comes in two different strengths: 40 (which is more pungent) and 35.

The consistent quality of the sauce wins another fan in Landarc, who recommends using the 35 strength in soup bases and barbecue sauces, while takuhead uses it in fermented ketchup and kimchi.

New May Wah [Inner Richmond]
719 Clement Street, San Francisco
415-221-9826

Discuss: Found at New May Wah Market-- Red Boat Fish Sauce made in Vietnam

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POST A COMMENT |3 Comments

COMMENT

  • They are quite different. I highly suggest seeking out Red Boat as it has an intense and complex flavor.

  • I've always used 3 Crab fish sauce, how do they compare?

  • Look for the labels with the word "nhi" on them, referring to the first press of the anchovies. BTW, the numbers reflect the level of nitrogen in the sauce; the higher the number, the more amino acids...and flavor.