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Vietnamese Fish Sauce Calories
Intensely salty, umami, fermented fish flavor
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
Quick answer
1 tablespoon (medium) of Vietnamese Fish Sauce (18 g) has 11 calories. That works out to 60 calories per 100 g. It contains 0.7 g of carbs, 1.4 g of protein, 0 g of fat and 0 g of fiber. Its 0.3 µg of B12 covers 11% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 0 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Vietnamese Fish Sauce Nutrition Facts
Selected: 1 tablespoon (medium) · 18 g
11
KCAL / 18G
Carbs
0.7g
· 0% DV
Protein
1.4g
· 3% DV
Fat
0g
· 0% DV
Fiber
0g
· 0% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 33% · Protein 67% · Fat 0%
Vietnamese Fish Sauce nutrition facts table · 1 tablespoon (medium) (18 g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 11 kcal | |
| Total fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Saturated fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 1260 mg | 55% |
| Total carbohydrate | 0.7 g | 0% |
| Fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Protein | 1.4 g | 3% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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How Many Calories in 1 Tablespoon of Vietnamese Fish Sauce?
| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon (medium) | 18 g | 11 kcal |
| 1 teaspoon (small) | 6 g | 4 kcal |
| 2 tablespoon (large) | 36 g | 22 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 60 kcal |
| 1 cup (large) | 240 g | 144 kcal |
| 1 bottle (whole) | 250 g | 150 kcal |
| 1 pack (jumbo) | 500 g | 300 kcal |
Calculated from 60 calories per 100 g.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vietnamese Fish Sauce
What is Vietnamese Fish Sauce made from?
Vietnamese Fish Sauce is usually made by fermenting small fish, commonly anchovies, with salt. The fermentation creates its characteristic intensely savory aroma and salty, umami taste.
How do you use Vietnamese Fish Sauce in cooking?
Vietnamese Fish Sauce adds savory depth to soups, stir-fries, marinades, and dipping sauces. Start with a small splash, taste the dish, and adjust the salt afterward because the sauce is already very salty.
Is Vietnamese Fish Sauce the same as nuoc cham?
No, Vietnamese Fish Sauce is an ingredient, while nuoc cham is a prepared dipping sauce. Nuoc cham commonly combines fish sauce with lime juice, sugar, garlic, and chili.
What can I substitute for Vietnamese Fish Sauce?
Soy sauce can provide saltiness and some umami, but it will not reproduce the fishy, fermented flavor of Vietnamese Fish Sauce. Use a little at first and adjust the other salty ingredients in the recipe.
Why does Vietnamese Fish Sauce smell so strong?
Vietnamese Fish Sauce smells strong because fermentation produces concentrated fish aromas. The smell is most noticeable straight from the bottle; a small amount mixed into a dish usually gives savory depth without dominating it.
Does Vietnamese Fish Sauce need to be refrigerated after opening?
Vietnamese Fish Sauce can generally be kept tightly closed in a cool, dark cupboard after opening. Refrigeration can help preserve its aroma, but it is not usually essential; avoid leaving the cap loose or the bottle in direct heat.
Can you cook with Vietnamese Fish Sauce, or is it only for dipping?
You can cook with Vietnamese Fish Sauce as well as use it in dips. Add it to soups, braises, or stir-fries during cooking, or mix it with acidic and sweet ingredients for a dipping sauce.
How is Vietnamese Fish Sauce different from soy sauce?
Vietnamese Fish Sauce is fermented fish and salt, while soy sauce is made from fermented soybeans, often with grain. Fish sauce tastes more marine and pungent; soy sauce has a more roasted, bean-like savoriness.
Why does Vietnamese Fish Sauce make a dish too salty so quickly?
Vietnamese Fish Sauce is highly concentrated in salt, so a small excess can overwhelm a dish. Add it gradually and taste before adding salt, especially when the recipe also includes broth, salted vegetables, or soy sauce.
How can you tell whether Vietnamese Fish Sauce is good quality?
A straightforward Vietnamese Fish Sauce typically lists fish and salt among its main ingredients. Check the ingredient list and origin, and choose a bottle with a clean, savory aroma rather than one that smells rancid or spoiled.
Vietnamese Fish Sauce Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins
B12
0.27µg · 11% DV
B3
0.22mg · 1% DV
B6
0.01mg · 1% DV
Biotin
0.09µg · 0% DV
Minerals
Sodium
1260mg · 55% DV
Selenium
1.8µg · 3% DV
Phosphorus
16mg · 2% DV
Iodine
1.44µg · 1% DV
Potassium ⭐
14mg · 0% DV
Vietnamese Fish Sauce Glycemic Index
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
How to Burn Off Vietnamese Fish Sauce
To burn the 11 calories in 1 tablespoon (medium) (18 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
What is Vietnamese Fish Sauce?
Vietnamese Fish Sauce is a deeply savoury seasoning made by fermenting fish with salt, widely used in Vietnamese cooking. Its pungent aroma and intensely salty, umami taste mean a little goes a long way. In Vietnam it seasons soups, stir-fries and marinades, and is often mixed with lime, garlic, chilli and sugar to make a dipping sauce. English-speaking cooks around the world can use it to add depth to noodle dishes, vegetables, broths or marinades; it also brings a savoury note to some salad dressings. It contains 8 g of protein per 100 g, but is normally used in small amounts. Start with a little, then balance the flavour with lime or other fresh ingredients.
How Nutritious Is Vietnamese Fish Sauce?
Nutrient density
Low
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Satiety score
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
Is Vietnamese Fish Sauce Processed?
NOVA 3
Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Does Vietnamese Fish Sauce Contain Allergens?
Contains these allergens:
Which Diets Is Vietnamese Fish Sauce Good For?
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
— Not suitable
Gluten-Free
✓ Suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
Vietnamese Fish Sauce Fat Profile
SATURATED
0g
MONOUNSATURATED
0g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.01g
Omega 6:3 ratio 0:1
Below the ideal 4:1 — a good omega balance.
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.