Ingredient Comparison
🐟
Fish Sauce
vs
🍅
Tomato Paste
Fish Sauce vs Tomato Paste
Both are common in the kitchen, but they behave differently. Here's how to choose between them for your next recipe.
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The short answer
Use Fish Sauce when you need it for western cooking, curries, dipping. Use Tomato Paste when you need it for rubs, sauces, soups.
🐟
Fish SauceSauces
Pungent, salty condiment from fermented fish, essential in Southeast Asian cooking.
4 substitutes available
🍅
Tomato PasteSauces
Concentrated tomatoes cooked down to a thick paste. Adds deep tomato flavor and body to sauces.
4 substitutes available
Key Differences
| Attribute | Fish Sauce | Tomato Paste |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Sauces | Sauces |
| Substitutes | 4 | 4 |
| Diet Options |
Diet Compatibility
Fish Sauce
Tomato Paste
Substitutes
🐟 Fish Sauce Substitutes
- Soy Sauce1:1
- Coconut Aminos1:1 plus extra salt
- Worcestershire Sauce1:1
- Seaweed + Soy Sauce1 tsp soy + piece dried seaweed per tsp fish sauce
🍅 Tomato Paste Substitutes
- Tomato Sauce (reduced)Reduce 3 tbsp sauce to get 1 tbsp paste
- Ketchup1 tbsp ketchup per 1 tbsp paste
- Canned Tomatoes (drained and blended)Blend and reduce 1/2 cup to get 2 tbsp
- Sun-Dried Tomato Paste1:1
Which Should I Use?
Use Fish Sauce when…
✅ Best for
Western cookingcurriesdippingdipping saucesdressingsmarinadespad thaistir-fries
Use Tomato Paste when…
✅ Best for
rubssaucessoupsstews
⚠️ Not ideal for
dry seasoning blendsrubs where no moisture is wanted