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Fermented fish

Fermented fish is fish preserved through salting and fermentation, used as a savory ingredient or condiment in various cuisines.

Fermented fish — illustrative ingredient image

About Fermented fish

Fermented fish is fish preserved through salting followed by microbial fermentation, producing a concentrated savoury ingredient rather than a single standardized product. It is used in soups, stews, relishes, dipping mixtures, and other cooked dishes.

Its flavour is pronounced and fishy, with strength varying substantially across regional methods. Depending on the fish, salt level, fermentation period, and degree of grinding, it may be whole or cut fish, a moist mash, a dense paste, or a thick semi-liquid preparation.

Products may be eaten directly as a condiment or incorporated during cooking. Their colour, aroma, and texture vary substantially according to the fish, salt treatment, fermentation period, grinding, and regional preparation.

Ingredient type
compound ingredient

Forms & related ingredients

  • Fishcontains · Fermented fish → Fish
  • Buducontains · Budu → Fermented fish
  • Saltcontains · Fermented fish → Salt

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Where fermented fish appears

22 linked foods

Find foods to recognise by country and type. Recipes and products vary; these are recorded ingredient connections.

Showing 1–12 of 22

Main dishes

Soups

Noodle 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 fermented fish

Names and romanised forms to recognise on menus and labels.

English

Fermented fish

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

Fermented fish nutrition & diet

Fermented fish nutritional value

Reference: Fish, fermented/ Pla-ra (Thai)

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

Calories
102.1kcal
Protein
13.3g
Carbs
3.2g
Fat
3.9g

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

Identify the fish species, edible tissues, salt treatment, fermentation duration, and whether bones, skin, or oil remain. Reference information for salted fermented fish should not be substituted with fresh, dried, smoked, or cooked fish. Portion size and use as a garnish, main ingredient, or seasoning affect interpretation.

Compare the right form: Match the exact fermented fish species and tissue, including salted, wet or dry form, bones, oil, and whether it is eaten cooked.

Diet considerations

This is animal-derived fish. It is incompatible with dietary patterns excluding fish, and recipe compatibility changes when mixed with shrimp, shellfish, animal fats, dairy, egg, or cereal coatings. Salting and fermentation define the product but do not identify a universal preparation; portion and accompanying starches matter in a meal.

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
    Typically compatible
  • Keto
    May be compatible
  • Paleo
    May be compatible
  • Low-carb
    May be compatible
  • Halal
    Not established
  • Kosher
    Not established
What these diet assessments mean
Vegan · Typically incompatible
The ingredient profile identifies an animal-derived food or derivative.
Vegetarian · Typically incompatible
The profile identifies animal flesh, seafood or a derivative excluded by a vegetarian diet.
Pescatarian · Typically compatible
Seafood fits this pescatarian definition. Added meat-based stock or other ingredients would need checking separately.
Keto · May be compatible
The plain form may fit a carbohydrate-restricted diet. Check the portion, added sugar, coatings and sauces against the nutrition values above.
Paleo · May be compatible
May fit a paleo pattern, depending on the cut or form, processing and added ingredients.
Low-carb · May be compatible
The plain form may fit a carbohydrate-restricted diet. Check the portion, added sugar, coatings and sauces against the nutrition values above.
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: Thai Food Composition Table, SMILING 2013 — 07167 ↗. 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: .