There's a great KZread channel called Pailin's Kitchen all about Thai cooking. She has a tutorial on fish sauce, and she recommends (if you love fish sauce like she does) getting two kinds: one that's harsher for cooking, and one that's smoother (and more expensive) for dipping sauces and salad dressings.

@Panzer_Z

5 жыл бұрын

yup, I would never waste Red Boat as cooking fish sauce. It's like wasting good EVOO as a cooking oil.

@ronsmith1364

5 жыл бұрын

Bit like olive oil & extra virgin o o good tip. Can probably find thai kitchen, small chance on gettin the red boat 40 tho.

@Panzer_Z

5 жыл бұрын

@@ronsmith1364 it's actually a lot more common now esp since it's a pricey option. I mean I've seen it at Costco and I'm pretty sure a Whole Foods will have it as well.

@ronsmith1364

5 жыл бұрын

@@Panzer_Z ty

@Panzer_Z

5 жыл бұрын

@@ronsmith1364 you're welcome

My Vietnamese friend's mom always uses the three crab brand fish sauce. I wonder where that landed in this taste test

@manhart9649

4 жыл бұрын

Wooo...

@nikip9161

3 жыл бұрын

Meeee toooo... I have the red boat, I'm wondering the difference between that and the ever popular 3 crabs... anyone?

@lonnieroberson7957

3 жыл бұрын

I'll have to try this bcz salt is killing me 😫

@dylansayamouangkhua5338

3 жыл бұрын

I’m not really sure what to take away from white people reviewing asian sauces

@nikip9161

3 жыл бұрын

@@dylansayamouangkhua5338 that sounds like a very personal and/or a socially engineered problem which you'll truly need to find the strength within your beating soul of souls to overcome.. it's that simple, young one

It's fascinating that two people I used to follow on conventional television, the last of which before I completely stop for that matter, have now fully migrated and embracing the KZread thing. Good for them to realize that quick

Lots of fish sauces have natural msgs too. We keep different fish sauces in our kitchen for different recipes but I’ve never heard of the front runner before so I’ll add it to my list thanks!

Red Boat is so much more expensive but I never feel bad about buying it because it tastes so much better than anything else I've tried

@babehc

5 жыл бұрын

100% true!

@2511thai

Жыл бұрын

You paid for Quality no filter or additive

Fish sauce varies so much, depending on the cuisine and culture, i.e. Cambodian, Filipino, Thai, Vietnamese) or country where it’s produced. For instance, Vietnamese fish sauce is generally lighter than a Thai variety. It is a staple ingredient in Southeast Asia cooking, specifically in the coastal regions of East Asian. For cooking, I prefer a strong, pungent variety (Thai or Filipino). For dipping sauces, I will reach for Vietnamese or the lighter/smoother Thai varieties.

@eugeniovincenzo1621

4 жыл бұрын

Squid brand goes really good with Italian Food...

@janem3575

2 жыл бұрын

@@eugeniovincenzo1621 I've added it to tomato sauce. Didn't have anchovies or anchovy paste. Unfortunately, forgot how salty the fish sauce was...

@wezzuh2482

Жыл бұрын

@@eugeniovincenzo1621 Yeah it's a great sub for anchovies in Italian cooking. It is made of anchovies after all, plus its cheaper.

One of the things to remember about fish sauce: much like wine, fish sauce is graded by "first press, second press, etc." The expensive brands like Red Boat are first press and are basically the purest you can get on the market. Three Crab and Squid Brand are second press and, while still good, have some additional preservatives added. Third press and onward have more and more preservatives added.

Lol, when I saw her drinking the first cup, I was like, what are you doing?! It's so potent to take it like that.

So proud when she continued testing them all, numerous times! 😂 So glad they do it, so we don't have to!

I have to say I absolutely love these quick comparisons, it is always my favorite segment on ATK. Awesome to have the segment here!! Maybe srirachas next? It’d be a great way to follow fish sauce.

Prices are inflated crazy in nationwide markets. Sriracha is always $2 for a giant bottle at a faraway Vietnamese-American grocery, but $4 for a small bottle everywhere. I noticed fish sauce prices are similar (because it's one ingredient I recognize), although I never bought one.

My brand of fish sauce is "Việt Hương" 3 Crabs brand. 💯👍

@kohakuaiko

5 жыл бұрын

I was told by many Asian friends that is the only one to buy. So I did.

@metalmunkey42

5 жыл бұрын

Yup, I was recommended that brand by a Malaysian lady recently :)

@TommyMKY

5 жыл бұрын

Three crabs is the best fish sauce.

@bloodgain

5 жыл бұрын

Yep. "Three Crabs" is the one all the local Vietnamese places use, so it's the one I buy, and I can confirm it's good. I haven't done a large comparison, of course, but I am disappointed that they didn't appear to have it in the running. It's certainly popular in the Asian community. I feel like they didn't do any of the ones that didn't have obvious, pronounceable English names on the bottle.

@vinstinct

5 жыл бұрын

Can't believe they didn't use it either. It seems like it's the most popular.

Depends on how one uses fish-sauce. I agree on getting two different kinds for cooking vs sauces. If you have access to many different types experiment. I have the Squid brand in my cabinet right now. Perfectly acceptable in my opinion

Interesting analizes of the different fish sauce. I always love to hear from the America's Test Kitchen for their comments.

MaterChef is the based and made from anchovies. It comes in a blue bottle. It’s my favorite.

OMG, Bridget’s reaction! 😂 0:40

I swear by the Three Crabs brand.. It's what you find in most Asian kitchens both here and in Asia..

@jeromewhelan6723

4 жыл бұрын

After being introduced to fish sauce in 1968 Vietnam, I really developed a taste for the stuff. I had been buying ThreeCrabs for years and finally decided to evaluate my choice; I bought three other brands, including a Thai sauce, and compared them all.... I decided then that the ThreeCrabs would remain my favorite. Years passed, and I saw this America's Test Kitchen review, so I gave RedBoat N40 a try: I agree, RedBoat is better in my opinion. Now I have both in the pantry,

@Mryodamiles

4 жыл бұрын

I grew up in Thailand and never heard or seen Three Crabs brand until I moved to the state.

@AbsoluteNut1

4 жыл бұрын

I love three crabs

@tammilee4840

2 жыл бұрын

Why? It’s watered down with water and added fructose in their ingredients. Three crab also market as a Vietnamese fish sauce but if you look, it’s made in China. I would steer clear from this brand IMO.

Why was 3 Crabs fish sauce not in this test at all?

@gregorythoman8281

5 жыл бұрын

How do you know it wasn't in the test? They tested many different ones. They only show the winner and runner up and the worst..

@danahess1974

5 жыл бұрын

@@gregorythoman8281 ...They have the other bottles lined up there as well and you can see the labels on all of them, as well as the size and shape of the bottles. 3 Crabs has a distinctive bottle as well as label...

@eugeniovincenzo1621

4 жыл бұрын

Because it has sugar...

@mauriecribb6755

3 жыл бұрын

@@eugeniovincenzo1621 👍

Hi Julia, Bridgette is Chef Roberto thanks for all your programs, very accurate programs, very Educational and fun to watch I've been subscribed to the Channel for 2yrs now Excellent and Oustanding job....Chef Roberto form 🇵🇷♥♥🤚🤚

Red boat is my favorite too. Grew up with 3 crabs, lucky, shrimp, and squid. After trying Red boat, it the best by a long shot. The protein is the key for a better sauce. The other brand use less fish and put more salt and msg for their flavor.

I grew up using squid and 3 crabs brand. I’ve never heard of red boat but will give it a try if see it around town. Thanks atk!

@fartman10284

4 жыл бұрын

If you have a trader Joe's, they have Red Boat

@nikip9161

3 жыл бұрын

@@fartman10284 that's really useful information, thank you! I imagine they've relabled it with their own tj's logo? I happened to purchase 17oz of Red Boat on Amazon for $12.04 out the door.. I'm curious what tj's charges. I'm very pleased with the quality, for sure.

I use Red Boat. I went through a lot of brands and settled on it a couple years ago. Stuff is great.

ALL of my Thai friends say that Squid brand is the only brand they use. It's the only brand I have used for 3 decades and it's never disappointed ! It's also $1.99 for a big bottle ( around 25 oz) of it at my Asian supermarket. They should not have given this in shot glasses! Who drinks this straight up?

@PatriotMango

5 жыл бұрын

Once i tried red boat i never went back to squid

@PandaWill89

5 жыл бұрын

I'm the same. I have used squid for basically all my life. I'm going to give the red boat a go though.

@AntMixFilms

5 жыл бұрын

My family used to use that brand but then something happened. They swap to the 3 Crabs brand instead.

@bobbiusshadow6985

5 жыл бұрын

Brand -- Country -- Price in the US -- Squid - Thailand - $1.49 (750 mL) -- 1 star Three Crabs - Hong Kong/Thailand - $2.59 (300 mL) -- 1 star Golden Boy - Thailand - $2.49 (725 mL) -- 1.5 star Huong Vi Viet Brand - Vietnam - $2.95 (750 mL) -- 2 stars MegaChef (30°N) - Thailand - $2.95 (700 mL) -- 3 stars Flying Horse - Thailand - $1.29 (750 mL) -- 3 stars Viet Huong Flying Lion - Hong Kong -$3.89 (750mL) -- 3 stars Shrimp & Crab - Thailand - $2.99 (725 mL) -- 3.5 stars Tiparos - Thailand - $1.49 (725 mL) -- 3.5 stars New Town 60°N - Vietnam - $5.95 (500 mL) -- 4.5 stars Red Boat 50°N - Phu Quoc, Vietnam - $8.00 (80 mL) -- 5 stars Blis - Phu Quoc, Vietnam / United States - $17.95 (200 mL) -- 5 stars

@branmar

4 жыл бұрын

Do you think that Squid brand is so ubiquitous because it is by far the least expensive? Or do you thin that your Thai friends would choose Squid brand whether or not cost was a factor? Thanks for your insight.

thanks for doing this test. can't imagine just drinking it. brave woman. great first reaction. i add fish sauce to stews, soups and sauces now in small quantities and sometimes ketchup or worcestershire sauce.

@megalocerus1573

2 жыл бұрын

Worcestershire actually is based on an Italian fish sauce with tamarind. But no, they don't taste the same.

I put red boat in everything. Golden Boy is also good if you live in a small apt. Doesn't smell as fishy.

Love Red boat!

This wasn’t a challenge in which I would care to partake. Brave of Bridgette!

You are very brave!!! I grew up and Thailand but wouldn’t dare

Red Boat 40°N is what I use for most recipes that call for patis/fish sauce, (AFTER taking the food off the heat!!!) like pinakbet, sinigang, or guisantes. (I'll use liquid aminos if it absolutely MUST go in a hot pan - ugh, that smell! 🤢🤢) I was hoping to see that ATK tried BLiS fish sauce, which is my absolute favorite for table use or straight as a dipping sauce. It is expensive, but it's hands down the best fish sauce I've ever tasted. BLiS actually *IS* the only fish sauce I would willingly sip from a shot glass. It is that good. Really.

I love Squid Brand and I have tried Red Boat once because is was readily available at the local grocery.

I feel like I'm missing something here, but why is there a bottle of Lea & Perrins Worcestershire in your thumbnail? Was it included in this test? I realize it has anchovies in it, but it seems pretty different from these Asian fish sauces.

Red Boat IS outstanding as is SON 40 Red Boat also makes a salt... it's amazing

Phan Thiết and Phú Quốc fish sause is considered premium ingredient bit the taste is worth it. Super light, Umami and salty in the way that I enjoy.

Red boat is the best fish sauce. Love it very much. It’s great in fried rice.

I'm so glad you did this Bridget...cuz I would not! But now we know! :)

Taking one for the team!

Kudos to Bridget for getting through that tasting, lol.

@borbetomagus

5 жыл бұрын

I'm sure Julia would have loved to have done it -- /watch?v=fhrNXnigakA

@Lead_Foot

5 жыл бұрын

Yeah I think I would have taste tested with an eye dropper lol. Or a couple drops on some rice.

Damn I can drink fish sauce. Love this stuff.

They literally cover everything!!

That's the last time Bridget parks in Jack's space.

When you’re Vietnamese, you’re made of it. I embrace it.

Wow, my mom has been using the Squid brand for as long as I can remember. Time to tell her to try Red Boat!

@strawberryoes

5 жыл бұрын

Same.. watched this because the brand we have was being tested... Guess I have to get something different next time! 😬 (Although that is reassuring really 😅)

@bobbiusshadow6985

3 жыл бұрын

Red Boat is a premium brand fish sauce, not really for cooking, produced only from first drips at the factory. Just use both, Squid brand (which is 2nd-4th drip mélange = less pronounced) for cooking, Red Boat for dip/sauce mixes.

I just got into fish sauce. My first bottle is red boat. Next I can’t wait to try three crabs.

SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT. Also 3 crabs is what most people like 👌🏻

My goto brand for years was Three Crabs. Hard to go bad there. Red Boat is better but it is way overpriced by all American suppliers. Shop the Asian markets for a better price than Amazon (by a factor of 2). I buy all my fish sauce from Phu Quoc Island in the Gulf of Thailand on a yearly foray to Vietnam.

@jeromewhelan6723

4 жыл бұрын

Since your reply leads me to believe you store your fish sauce up to one year: I am curious to know if you experience darkening of color at the end of that time? I have started buying fresh bottles every few months after the color changes.

ATK and the original “Cook’s Illustrated “ magazine have been my inspiration and go to resource for over 25 years. No one does it better!

He poisoned the tester by telling her what the experts looked for and decided on before she made her decision. If he had told her they decided on the best because it was lighter and less salty, then she probably would have made a different choice.

@Sueprises

5 жыл бұрын

She said she picked the one she thought she liked best ... do you think she would have liked a different one best if he'd said something else?

@broccool2300

5 жыл бұрын

@@Sueprises Absolutely it changes the perception. It would not be good for her reputation on this show if she couldn't identify what experts identify because she is supposed to be an expert on the subject. Even if she wasn't supposed to be and expert, just knowing what experts looked for would make her look for the same things. This is science.

@Sueprises

5 жыл бұрын

@@broccool2300 Well she doesn't always pick the winner, but obviously the first one wasn't her favorite. If something is my favorite, it's because I like it better than the others presented. My opinion of my taste wouldn't change. If she was trying to choose the judges winner, then it was as you said

@broccool2300

5 жыл бұрын

@@Sueprises whatever

The Three Crabs brand is the best. Its the only one my mom uses Plus it’s usually under $4 for 24oz bottle

Can I PLEASE send you a bottle of 3 Crabs fish sauce?!

Ah yes fish sauce, the Queen of Flavor as Uncle Roger put it. The King of Flavor of course is MSG.

i had to buy some thai kitchen fish sauce from walmart. hopefully 2nd best is also a winner LOL.

No 3 Crabs? I married into a Vietnamese family and it's the only one we use. Also conveniently now available at my local Target.

I love RedBoat Fish sauce

Can't eat my pho ga without it ove dipping my chicken in it love the stuff!

@mdlunasofficial7478

3 жыл бұрын

Ewww ! The laat year I tried fish sauce for the first time! And I regret 😃

@1607rosie

3 жыл бұрын

MDLunas Official I must admit it was an acquired taste, but it goes well with the chicken! Add a little siracha sauce to it.

Red Boat when you the best for such things as dipping sauces, 3 Crabs for the rest. For what its worth.

@TheRealDrCube

5 жыл бұрын

I always have a bottle of 3 crabs on hand. Ill have to check out red boat, I always see it in the market, but never picked up a bottle.

@AirrowRocket

5 жыл бұрын

It is from Vietnam. It is the only "First Pressed". You can also buy it on Amazon.

@mintysingularity

5 жыл бұрын

He didn't even include three crabs in the testing, going by the bottles he had.

@mintysingularity

5 жыл бұрын

@@TheRealDrCube you can get it lots of places, but especially Costco and trader Joe's

@eugeniovincenzo1621

4 жыл бұрын

3 crabs has too much sugar for cooking...the Filipino/Thai is better for cooking because it is heavier...

my girl sip fish sauce like sip cocktail shot

Well all asians use the squid one because its authentic compared to the other 2 brands that cater to foreign taste buds

@JPLBOUND

5 жыл бұрын

I use it also

@KimmiKat75

5 жыл бұрын

3 crab brand is the best

@phamtq

5 жыл бұрын

First of all, 3 Crabs fish sauce is a blended mix of primarily Thai and maybe some Vietnamese fish sauce with additives. Hardly authentic for Vietnamese cuisine. Red Boat is made in Phu Quoc, Vietnam and contains only anchovies and salt. So it's not made for foreign tastes like you say.

@KimmiKat75

5 жыл бұрын

@@phamtq Vietnamese cuisine isn't the only ones using fish sauce and it's been more than enough Thai, Vietnamese, Lao and Cambodian cooks I've seen use it. So your opinion is irrelevant. Especially when I've seen far too many Vietnamese cooking on dirty floors.

@phamtq

5 жыл бұрын

@@KimmiKat75 Cleary other cultures use fish sauce, hence Thai fish sauce existing. Even the Italians have their own version. But when the original poster says it's authentic compared to Red Boat and catered to "foreign tastes", that simply isn't true. Especially when it comes to Vietnamese cuisine. The reason you see so many cooks using these brands in America is NOT because they are the best. The REAL reason is because there was a trade embargo from 1975 until 1994. It was illegal to bring in and sell Vietnamese fish sauce in the United States. So the only alternative immigrants had was the kind from Thailand and Hong Kong. The 3 Crabs brand is basically the best of a low quality bunch. Hell, even the company (Viet Huong Fish Sauce Company) that makes 3 Crabs fish sauce has a better one called, 5 Crabs Fish Sauce. It's better quality from the same company! So learn your history and facts before telling me my opinion is irrelevant. And what's with the dig at Vietnamese cooks?

Almost every Vietnamese family and restaurant uses Three Crabs, sometimes Squid. It’s that way for a reason, it’s the best.

@rnca5709

4 жыл бұрын

tranbryant Not necessarily. A portion of Viets are friggin frugal as hell and just buy cheap.

The 40°N part of the name is strange food science notation for 40% nitrogen, probably referring to content of nitrogenous compounds like amino acids rather than nitrogen itself.

I’ve never tried fish sauce heard of it but never used it in my cooking ... not a shot glass tho jesustakethewheel ...just a taste 😩😋

@mintysingularity

5 жыл бұрын

If you've ever used woestershire sauce, you have.

@LoverofAllThingsGood

5 жыл бұрын

travin cooo thx for the insight 👨🏾‍🍳 I have to in corporate to my recipes going forward

Just wanted to add another comment about 3 crabs not being in the lineup. WTF?

FYI- red Boat no longer 7.99

They didn’t even try my fave, bummer-they missed out! It’s a premium one, 3 Mien. It’s a Vietnamese fish sauce with amazing flavor. Much better than Res Boat and about 2/3 the price. Tried it on a whim when my H-Mart brought it in. Try!

I love Filipino and Vietnamese fish sauce more than anything in the world.

This was hilarious.

The best fish sauce to use in your cooking is the one you can buy at you local store. We have an Asian market but they don't carry all these brands and neither does my regular grocery. So bottom line is you get what is available locally and it may only be the only option on the shelf. If I'm fortunate the one my stores has will be one of the better ones.

I am allergic to finned fish, so fish sauce is out for me. But I wonder with so many other great substitutes for other things out there, is there something that works well as a substitute for fish sauce that doesn't have finned fish in it? (like coconut aminos can substitute for soy sauce). I can eat shellfish with no problem.

@wrt8883

5 жыл бұрын

Kara Pendleton salt for substitute. You can make dipping sauce from salt for vegetarian brown sugar or slash of soy sauce lime hot pepper and garlic.

I LOVE fish sauce but I would never taste test them like that!

I wish there were low sodium alternatives for those of us who have health challenges that require us to not use foods with high salt. Can you do an episode on cooking low sodium foods?

@Paelorian

5 жыл бұрын

People rarely add more than a teaspoon of fish sauce, and that would be for a big pot. Usually they add just a few drops. The goal is rarely to make the food taste like fish sauce. So generally this will not make what you're making salty. I can't imagine a health condition requiring obsessing over a few grains of salt in the dish, so little you probably can't even detect it. People might add a glug of salty Worcestershire to their food but I've never seen anyone do that with a bottle of fish sauce. It would make your food taste pretty bad. By most people's taste. It's a very dominant flavor so people add the tiniest bit.

Honestly I think some people are put off by fish sauce for the wrong reasons. Im one of the ones who doesnt care about the smell at all, but for those that do, fish sauce doesnt really taste as bad as it smells. It honestly adds alot of savory flavors in the food I use it in.

My vote goes for Megachef Brown! Give it a shot!

Before even watching the video I'm going to tell you it's Red Boat :P

I add fish sauce to my burgers

@ronsmith1364

5 жыл бұрын

by patty or how much /lb? or "to taste" tia

@skids62

5 жыл бұрын

@@ronsmith1364 I make the patty and pour the fish sauce on just before I cook it. Basically I use it to season instead of using salt.

Red boat is the best one from the supermarket but from the Asian market three crabs is best.

i like mine on the rocks!

No Lucky brand fish sauce?

Why would you need to sip fish sauce? :D I love it and use it often but I would use a teaspoon if I had to taste it (especially if i had to taste THAT much) Hahaha

She should try Lao unfiltered fish sauce called “Padek” .😅

@mailee8076

3 жыл бұрын

Lol then she'd go into a coma.

Red Boat is the GOAT

Ive only ever used tiparos unless i cant find one in store lmao guess I lived in thailand thats y

@RocketRRTRN

3 жыл бұрын

I grew up on tiparos! Still a favorite.

You need eating fish sauce and not cooking one, there are a difference in both.

@eugeniovincenzo1621

4 жыл бұрын

Yes Viet fish sauce is better for dipping...the filipino/thai are heavier and is better for cooking...

@trollingnoobs8384

4 жыл бұрын

As Vietnamese i can confirmed that is true

Interesting. Never used fish sauce and didn't think brand made a difference!

Just like soya sauce, it depends on application. The best tasting may not be the best for cooking

I dont use fish sauce a lot but i think when i do use it i have been using a tad too much. I have made some Asian dishes and sometimes taste food and think to myself I put in too much fish sauce. I just watched this video then went to my refrigerator. I have the 2nd fave choice Thai Kitchen brand. I flipped the lid and took 3 whiffs. I smelled wet dirty socks

Hiroyuki Terada uses Squid. Works for me.

3 Crabs or bust.

Three crab brand is the best! I've tried the red boat once and dislike its taste.

I’m sorry, but I literally tried the winner and the Three Crab brand tonight, and I’d have to say the Three crab brand takes it. The after taste is much stronger with Red Boat.

Bad science, he didn't even include the best liked brand, Three Crabs.

@lordgarion514

5 жыл бұрын

Get your head out of your butt. They test the common things that you can find at most stores. I've been a bunch of grocery stores in my life, never seen three crabs in one of them. So I'm going to go out on a real big limb and say most stores don't carry it.

@babehc

5 жыл бұрын

I wouldn’t say three crabs is good because it has sugar and msg and stuff added. Red boat is the only brand I use, just pure fish and salt, no nonsense ingredients.

@phamtq

5 жыл бұрын

3 Crabs brand is NOT the best. It's much closer to the Squid brand. When I gave the Red Boat fish sauce to my father to try he said it was the closest thing to the stuff he had as a kid in Vietnam. It's got a much cleaner taste.

@Lead_Foot

5 жыл бұрын

The only time three crabs is acceptable is if you need to use A LOT of fish sauce. That's like comparing government cheese to an aged cheddar.

@eugeniovincenzo1621

4 жыл бұрын

3 Crabs has too much sugar...

She’s got a great pallet

What about English fish sauce?

Three Crabs brand.

Squid and Redboat are the best and that’s a fact.

Try Flying Lion brand. I did a taste test-Red Boat is good, Flying Lion better. $15 for 24 oz. Read how theyre made

Red Boat is our family choice...

Really weird. Today I was in Kroger's and I actually bought the Red Boat. This was before I saw this video. I knew nothing about fish sauce but needed some for a dish. Really strange.

fish sauce can also be used as a dipping sauce for fruit. for very sour crispy fruits such as granny apple, you just get a small saucer with one tablespoon of fish sauce mixed with half a teaspoon of sugar, and you have a very savory dipping sauce that cuts the sourness and bitterness of green fruits

I never use anything but Red Boat. Far superior to any other brand I’ve tried.

Pailins kitchen did this.

The only thing I don't like about the Red Boat fish sauce is the price.