Fish Sauce

(called nam pla in Thai and nuoc mam in Vietnamese): A salty condiment made from pickled anchovies. Fish sauce is used in Southeast Asia the way soy sauce is used in Japan and China. Its aroma can be off-putting, but its distinctive flavor enriches all that it touches. Look for fish sauce in Asian markets, gourmet shops, and in many large supermarkets. The best quality brands come in glass, not plastic, bottles. Good brands include Flying Lion, Three Crabs, and Squid. A smaller amount of soy sauce can be substituted, but the flavor won’t be quite the same.