NewIdeaFood
  • News
  • Dinner Tonight
  • Baking
  • Trolley Watch
  • Easy Entertaining
  • Healthy-ish
  • Video
NewIdeaFood
  • News
  • Dinner Tonight
  • Baking
  • Trolley Watch
  • Easy Entertaining
  • Healthy-ish
  • Video
ALDI - DON'T DROWN IN ONE-OFF DISCOUNTS!
Watch 0:15

ALDI - DON'T DROWN IN ONE-OFF DISCOUNTS!

{headline}

{headline}

Sticky Chilli Asian Greens

Sticky Chilli Asian Greens

Asian Greens and Rice Frittata

Asian Greens and Rice Frittata

Tuna Pasta Bake

Tuna Pasta Bake

Oyster Stew

Oyster Stew

{headline}

{headline}

Thai prawn fried rice

Thai prawn fried rice

King Prawn & Scallop Stir-Fry

King Prawn & Scallop Stir-Fry

Singapore chilli crab

Singapore chilli crab

{headline}

{headline}

Grilled Mackerel Fillets

Grilled Mackerel Fillets

Homemade Fish Fingers

Homemade Fish Fingers

Sweet and Spicy Baked Honey Sriracha Chicken

Sweet and Spicy Baked Honey Sriracha Chicken

Asian-Style Fish & Chips

Asian-Style Fish & Chips

Pork Schnitzel with Laksa Sauce

Pork Schnitzel with Laksa Sauce

Nasi Goreng Tray Bake

Nasi Goreng Tray Bake

Vegetarian Sweet Chilli Ravioli Stir-Fry

Vegetarian Sweet Chilli Ravioli Stir-Fry

  1. Home
  2. News

Oyster sauce vs fish sauce: what’s the difference?

No, they’re not the same. - by Lottie Dalziel
  • 27 Jul 2019
Oyster sauce vs fish sauce: what’s the difference?
Getty

Need a comparison for oyster sauce and fish sauce? There’s nothing worse than opening the pantry to find you’re fresh out. Here, we’ve broken down the difference between them as well as the best substitutes for each.

Is oyster sauce the same as fish sauce?

Oyster sauce is made from a mixture of carmelised oyster juices, salt, sugar and soy sauce that’s been thickened with corn starch. Fish sauce is made with just two ingredients: fermented fish and salt. As a result, the sauces are totally different in taste, flavour and aroma.

RELATED: Gyoza with yuzu dipping sauce

oyster sauce

Oyster sauce

Getty

Much like soy sauce, fish sauce is a very salty, reddish-brown sauce that’s mostly used as a condiment. It has a strong ‘fishy’ flavour and watery, clear consistency. On the other hand, oyster sauce is much thicker, darker and far sweeter, with a subtle salty undertone.

fish sauce

Fish sauce

Getty

What do they add to a recipe?

Oyster sauce is a staple in Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and Khmer cuisines and is commonly used to enhance the taste of meat and seafood-based dishes. It also adds complexity and depth to noodle stir-fries.

oyster sauce

A typical dish made with oyster sauce

Getty

As well as Southeast Asian kitchens, fish sauce can be widely found in savoury Mediterranean food. It is often used to season soups, as part of a dipping sauce, or in marinades.

fish sauce

A typical dish made with fish sauce

Getty

Are oyster sauce and fish sauce interchangeable?

As the two sauces are substantially different, substituting one for the other will likely change the taste of your food entirely.

What is the best substitute for each sauce?

Fish sauce:

  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Soy sauce (either light or dark) with minced anchovies
  • Light soy sauce with a splash of lime juice

Oyster sauce:

  • Vegetarian oyster sauce (sometimes labelled as Mushroom stir fry sauce)
  • Kecap Manis
  • Dark soy sauce and brown sugar

RELATED: A deep, sweet dipping sauce

  • News
  • thai recipes
  • sauce recipe
  • dip recipe
Lottie Dalziel
Lottie Dalziel
Lottie Dalziel, is a 4AM riser and coffee-addict who lives and breathes all things food. When she isn't reading up on the latest trends in sustainability or discovering ways to upcycle almost anything, you can find her by the beach, cooking up a storm or adding to her abundant (some would say out of control) plant collection.

Only $6 for 6 Issues!-SAVE 79%*

Subscribe Now
Only $6 for 6 Issues!

Only $6 for 6 Issues!-SAVE 79%*

Subscribe Now
Only $6 for 6 Issues!

Recommended to you

ALDI - DON'T DROWN IN ONE-OFF DISCOUNTS!
Watch 0:15

ALDI - DON'T DROWN IN ONE-OFF DISCOUNTS!

{headline}

{headline}

Sticky Chilli Asian Greens

Sticky Chilli Asian Greens

Asian Greens and Rice Frittata

Asian Greens and Rice Frittata

Tuna Pasta Bake

Tuna Pasta Bake

Oyster Stew

Oyster Stew

{headline}

{headline}

Thai prawn fried rice

Thai prawn fried rice

King Prawn & Scallop Stir-Fry

King Prawn & Scallop Stir-Fry

Singapore chilli crab

Singapore chilli crab

{headline}

{headline}

Grilled Mackerel Fillets

Grilled Mackerel Fillets

Homemade Fish Fingers

Homemade Fish Fingers

Sweet and Spicy Baked Honey Sriracha Chicken

Sweet and Spicy Baked Honey Sriracha Chicken

Asian-Style Fish & Chips

Asian-Style Fish & Chips

Pork Schnitzel with Laksa Sauce

Pork Schnitzel with Laksa Sauce

Nasi Goreng Tray Bake

Nasi Goreng Tray Bake

Vegetarian Sweet Chilli Ravioli Stir-Fry

Vegetarian Sweet Chilli Ravioli Stir-Fry

NewIdeaFood
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Dietary info
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Dietary info
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • Better Homes and Gardens Shop
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Home Beautiful
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • Airtasker
  • Society One
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from New Idea Food

Magazine Subscription Offer

Only $6 for 6 Issues!-SAVE 79%*

Shop This Offer
Only $6 for 6 Issues!