Is Fish Sauce Halal?

The short answer

Fish sauce is halal. It is made by layering fish, usually anchovies, with salt and letting them ferment for months. Fish is halal in every school, and fish needs no slaughter.

Does fermentation make fish sauce haram?

No. Fish sauce ferments in salt, which breaks the fish down into liquid. This is not the kind of fermentation that makes alcohol. Fish sauce is not an intoxicant.

What is in fish sauce?

Simple fish sauces contain only fish and salt. Red Boat, for example, lists anchovy and sea salt. Other brands add sugar, water or flavor enhancers, which are usually fine. Read the label for anything else.

What about anchovies?

Anchovies are small fish with scales. They are halal in every school, including the Shia rule that allows only fish with scales.

Where do fish sauce and anchovies hide?

• Thai, Vietnamese and Filipino food, where fish sauce is a basic seasoning.
• Worcestershire sauce, which is made with anchovies.
• Caesar salad dressing, which often contains anchovies.
• Pizza and pasta toppings.

The fish is halal, but these dishes can contain other things to check, such as pork, wine or shrimp paste.

Common questions

Is shrimp paste halal?

It follows the ruling on shrimp, which the schools differ on.

Is oyster sauce halal?

It follows the ruling on oysters, which the schools differ on. Some oyster sauces also contain other additives.

Is Worcestershire sauce halal?

The anchovies are halal. Some brands use malt vinegar, which most scholars accept.

The bottom line

Fish sauce and anchovies are halal. In Asian dishes, the things to check are usually pork, shrimp paste and cooking wine, not the fish sauce.