Shrimp Paste vs Fish sauce

A side-by-side guide to substituting Fish sauce for Shrimp Paste (or vice versa).

Quick answer

Use 0.75 tsp of Fish sauce for every 1 tsp of Shrimp Paste.

Side-by-side

Shrimp Paste

Base unit: tsp

Read the full guide: Shrimp Paste

Fish sauce

Conversion: Use 75% as much (0.75 tsp per 1 tsp)

Tags: common

Notes: Liquid and more intense umami; use about ¾ tsp per 1 tsp shrimp paste. Add gradually. Essential Southeast Asian substitute with similar fermented depth.

Read the full guide: Fish sauce

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When to use Fish sauce instead of Shrimp Paste

Liquid and more intense umami; use about ¾ tsp per 1 tsp shrimp paste. Add gradually. Essential Southeast Asian substitute with similar fermented depth. The conversion is use 75% as much (0.75 tsp per 1 tsp).

Common questions

Can I substitute Fish sauce for Shrimp Paste?

Yes — Liquid and more intense umami; use about ¾ tsp per 1 tsp shrimp paste. Add gradually. Essential Southeast Asian substitute with similar fermented depth. Ratio: Use 75% as much (0.75 tsp per 1 tsp).

What's the conversion ratio for Shrimp Paste to Fish sauce?

Use 75% as much (0.75 tsp per 1 tsp). For other quantities, use the SubSwap calculator.

Are Shrimp Paste and Fish sauce interchangeable?

They are similar in most uses, but Liquid and more intense umami; use about ¾ tsp per 1 tsp shrimp paste..

Is Fish sauce a better substitute than other options for Shrimp Paste?

Fish sauce is one of the options SubSwap lists for Shrimp Paste. The 'best' choice depends on your recipe — see the full list of Shrimp Paste substitutes.

Looking for more Shrimp Paste substitutes beyond Fish sauce?

See all Shrimp Paste swaps →