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Budu

Budu is a fermented fish sauce used as a salty seasoning in West African cooking.

Budu — illustrative ingredient image

About Budu

Budu is a fermented fish sauce or condiment made from fish and salt. It is used to season soups, stews, sauces, marinades, and other dishes, either during cooking or at the table. Because recipes vary by region and producer, fish species, saltiness, and concentration can differ considerably.

It generally has a pronounced fermented-fish aroma and a salty, savoury flavour, often adding depth in small quantities. The liquid is usually pourable, though it may be clearer or more opaque and lighter or darker according to fermentation, filtering, and concentration.

Budu is sold as a liquid condiment and may be poured directly, mixed into a sauce, or diluted in a cooked dish. Fermentation and filtering affect its colour, clarity, aroma, and intensity. Some preparations are relatively thin, while concentrated versions give a stronger flavour and darker appearance.

Ingredient type
sauce

Forms & related ingredients

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Where budu appears

2 linked foods

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Rice dishes

Ingredient connections awaiting review · Coverage is still growing, including packaged snacks.

Name examples awaiting language review. Confirm the specific food or product.

Local names for budu

Names and romanised forms to recognise on menus and labels.

English

Budu

Available names only. Languages may be spoken in other countries; a name alone does not identify every ingredient in a dish.

Budu nutrition & diet

Budu nutritional value

Reference: Fish sauce Nam pla

Per 100 g of 100 g edible portion in the named official reference form.

Calories
48kcal
Protein
9.1g
Carbs
2.6g
Fat
0.1g

Official national food-composition reference. The displayed food form is part of the estimate; cultivar, recipe, brand, processing and preparation can change values.

Portions & preparation

Reference budu as a fermented fish sauce used in small seasoning portions, not as a fish fillet or generic soy sauce. Its salting, fermentation, straining, dilution, and added ingredients vary by recipe, so the specific product and the amount mixed into a dish should be identified.

Compare the right form: Match references to the named fermented fish sauce, specifying liquid or thicker form, recipe or brand, preparation, and seasoning portion.

Diet considerations

Budu is animal-derived because it is made from fish, although its exact fish species and processing should be established from the product. Added sugar, cereals, soy, or other ingredients may change compatibility. As a condiment, its dietary effect depends largely on the complete seasoned dish and portion.

AI-authored reading notes · Awaiting editorial review. Measured values, where available, have a separate source above.

Dietary compatibility

  • Vegan
    Typically incompatible
  • Vegetarian
    Typically incompatible
  • Pescatarian
    May be compatible
  • Keto
    Not established
  • Paleo
    Not established
  • Low-carb
    Not established
  • Halal
    Not established
  • Kosher
    Not established
What these diet assessments mean
Vegan · Typically incompatible
Recorded common ingredients: Fermented fish. The ingredient profile identifies an animal-derived food or derivative. Recipes and products can differ.
Vegetarian · Typically incompatible
Recorded common ingredients: Fermented fish. The profile identifies animal flesh, seafood or a derivative excluded by a vegetarian diet. Recipes and products can differ.
Pescatarian · May be compatible
The recorded ingredients may fit this pattern. This is not a complete recipe or manufacturing specification; check additions and preparation.
Keto · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Paleo · Not established
The ingredient form and processing have not been assessed against this dietary pattern.
Low-carb · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Halal · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish halal status.
Kosher · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish kosher status.

For the plain ingredient · Awaiting review. Diet compatibility is not allergy suitability or halal/kosher certification. Keto and low-carb depend on the portion.

Reviewed ingredient entryIngredient reference · Preparations vary

AI-generated illustration for visual context. It does not identify a particular product or establish allergen content.

Sources & review

Nutrition reference: Swedish Food Agency Food Database, 2026-07-01 — 6675 ↗. Values are scaled from 100 g of the recorded edible form. Individual portions have no assumed fixed weight.

Expanded overview, name examples and nutrition notes are database drafts awaiting editorial review. Numeric nutrition values, where shown, have their own source and food-form reference.

The ingredient description and dish connections come from the draft catalogue and may change after review.

Last recorded verification: .