HAKU Iwashi Whiskey Barrel Aged Fish Sauce (750 ml) - Authentic Japanese Umami Anchovy Seasoning Sauce - Refined Traditional Gourmet Dip Sauce, Condiment, Marinade for Meat, Salad, Stir Fry & Soup

I am a big fan of western garum and liquamen (think Italy, Sardinia, France, Spain), which are technically different but sometimes the terms are used interchangeably. I have tried several east-Asian fish sauces and only a few impress me (Filipino Rufina Patis, and Korean Wangshin). Of them all, the HAKU Iwashi Whiskey Barrel Aged Fish Sauce is my favourite. Salty, but not overly salty like Rufina Patis, and has a depth of flavour, character, and savoriness that even the excellent Wangshin cannot compete with. I mix it directly into soups, meat rubs, cold salads, you name it. Mix with chilli sauce (and maybe vinegar) for an excellent dipping sauce. If you're looking for a negative, this sauce has a strong taste profile, separate from the salt and fish, that might over-power some dishes. It likely comes from the barrel-aging process that adds such complexity and deepness to the flavour, but at the same time makes it a touch strong for certain delicate dishes. Even so, I use this fish sauce roughly nine times out of ten. It really is the best.

This stuff is crazy good!

Red Boat fish sauce is known for tasting less fishy or stinky than cheaper fish sauces. This brand tastes even less fishy than the Red Boat brand. And the flavor is very well rounded and pleasant. But one, ounce for ounce it is a lot more expensive than Red Boat. Two, it is less concentrated in umami-enhancing proteins than Red Boat. So, does the less stinky taste justify the higher cost? I can't decide.

fast delivery.

May seem a bit pricey but the work involved making it is appreciated and reflects the effort they put into quality. Bought several times and will again.

The saltiness is very balanced and not too high so you can add it more liberally to you dishes. I use it mostly in phở and like to add a tablespoon or two into each bowl. The umami level is one of the best without the potent rotting fishiness found in the budget level fish sauces. Much less salty the the Red Boat.

We LOVE this fish sauce. My husband and I like to make and eat a variety of asian foods, and this fish sauce is superior to any that we have tried in the past.

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