Which Fish Sauce is Best? Red Boat vs. Three Crabs

[@VyvienneEaux]

I have tried a few brands in a very simple dressing made of one part lime juice and one part fish sauce (the dressing used in laab). Red boat is the most delicious in my opinion.

[@kpkpkp714]

im vietnamese and i prefer Red Boat for cooking, I mainly use three crab only for making nuoc cham(dipping sauce) since i can add less sugar in the sauce.

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

Due to the cost of red boat I suppose using it when minimizing the foul smell would be economical.

[@oakspines7171]

Good idea. Thanks.

[@kovots]

Grew up with three crabs but now i’m thinkin I should try Red Boat for at least dipping sauces. Thanks!

[@Roses78]

Three crab is watered down with fillers to give color and flavor. Red boat version you’re using is first press stronger flavor the second press is very good use it on my pho and oxtails delicious.

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

A bit more premium and premium in price too.

[@songolin4544]

For a whole soup, it's likely overkill to use Red Boat since a lot of the flavors are combining. You get most of the complexity from the aromatics.

[@jetspeed500]

using sugar to balance the flavor of excess salt in dishes is actually very common, particularly in caramelized vegetables or basted savory dishes. As someone who doesn't mind the smell of fish sauce, I actually really like the subtle sweetness of 3 Crabs, it rounds out the flavors a bit more imo.

[@llspragulus]

Sorry i know this is an older vid. However, I gotta speak up. 3 crabs is much different when you first open it and when you leave it opened in the fridge. 3 Crabs has sugar and veg protien to allow it to ripen in the fridge more. When you first open it, the smell is VERY subtle. After a few days, weeks, months, the bacteria eat the fructose and proteins. It becomes a MUCH heavier flavor, the smell becomes more pronounced, and the color darkens. I tried Red Boat when I saw Pailin's Kitchen video 6 years ago. I used it but, it didn't make Korean food as well but, my Thai sauces were truthfully better (prik nam pla). I'm Korean and we want our 3 crabs super dark, super stinky, and super potent. Red Boat is much more consistent over long periods. Just know, Red Boat will also darken and get stinkier but it takes longer. To me, 3 Crabs is unbeatable. I think the taste is MUCH better, it's MUCH cheaper, and the smell is just a thing we become nose blind to. Seriously, you ever smelled super sour Kimchi?! It'll clear out a room! So, it's honestly a preference thing. However, don't let my mother see that you have anything but 3 Crabs. I'll let you get the talking to and I'll sit on the side mouthing, "I told you so" while laughing. LOL 🤣

[@garyg5347]

for cooking, use the 3 crab brand, for dipping, read boat for sure

[@shadowpapito]

Thank you so much for sharing. I always read the ingredients but this is the exception. My family member had it in the pantry and I was curious so I tried it but forgot to read the ingredients. I will no longer use that and go out and get the Red Boat. I will also explore brands with only two ingredients and that actually age the fish sauce like they're supposed to do!

[@oakspines7171]

I think 3-crabs is an industrial product ? As such, manufacturers add sugar, protein, and flavor to it. I think it has about 2g of sugar as said in the label. That is what people like, usually fat and sugar to the right amount in general, and is why it is produced that way. I have not tried but plan to get a small bottle of the Red Boat fish sauce. The ads say it is authentic. Not sure but expect more anchovy flavor and may be better taste. Thanks for the clip.

[@grizzlybeast5]

I am a fish sauce and soy sauce snob! Red Boat is two ingredients and first press! And I'm American.

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

Knowing the natural origins, makes you not want to go back.

[@oakspines7171]

A sign of a bear holding a fish sauce bottle isn't a bad idea.

[@skecskec6044]

First time heard of Red Boat brand. All along the fish sauce I came across is Tiparos which many authetic Thai eateries will use for their cooking and also as a table top condiment for their customers to use especially for the soup base rice noodles with beef, pork or chicken. Welcome comments regarding Tiparos vs Red Boat fish sauces.

[@chinaboss6683]

Tiparos is cheap asf. 😂

[@FAFOCLUB]

Depends on what you’re cooking.

[@et4222]

I stocked 3 crab before tp during lockdown,I put it on everything ,smoked ribs,you better believe it

[@LoveNowCryLater702]

This guy is funny... his 3 crab brand... is 3/4 gone... he use that everyday

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

I use a lot in my ox tail soup.

[@johnarcarese172]

He obviously likes that cheap synthetic crap.

[@ballistic350]

3 crab you can use everyday, red boat is more for complete dishes and not like your asian peppers etc side dishes ,

[@MsNormaJ]

Red boat is best raw but for soups etc I use 3 crab brand.

[@ThienNguyen24]

You use cheap fish sauce for cooking. The more expensive one is for eating raw.

[@vtn05001]

I just brought and used red boat for the first time after using three crabs and squid brand all my life and goddamm the saltiness from red boat is overwhelming

[@oakspines7171]

Squid is the flavorless fish sauce and very salty. And Red Boat is even more ? Thanks for the info anyway.

[@marialinguist]

Red Boat is the superior fish sauce. Pure, virgin, no crappy sugar, chemical free ferrmentation. It makes my soup taste great.

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

It's a bit more expensive but it takes forever to use so really not that much more.

[@vygalnix7769]

Girl sit down. This is a horrible fish sauce. It carries none of the sweetness of the anchovies. Phu Quoc is the best fish sauce. No Vietnamese will say that fish sauce will be past #3.

[@marialinguist]

@@vygalnix7769 You do realize that Red Boat is made in Phu Quoc right?

[@vygalnix7769]

I have a bottle. Barely used.

[@marialinguist]

@@vygalnix7769 That's a you problem

[@infini.tesimo]

I just finally tried Red Boat for the first time. It's good but it's not enough for me to switch over let alone pay $20 for a tiny ass bottle of sauce.

[@mdp4440]

I bought a 250ml bottle of Red Boat at Kroger for $7.49.

[@mutt1112]

i used 3 crab for years, as time went on 3 crab went threw me in a few hours, I switch to squid brand for cooking, and red boat for sauces and straight up food taste better and now I dont hit the bathroom 2 hours after dinner

[@justchill4212]

3 crabs all the way. Who said fish sauce isn’t suppose to have sugar?

[@ysp.96]

Which one is better for pho recipe?

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

Red Boat would always taste more gourmet.

[@ysp.96]

@@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel thank you

[@songolin4544]

In a pho recipe with so many ingredients and aromatics making it complex, you're not going to tell the difference between Three Crab and Red Boat. You already get a lot of sweetness from the onions and the fish sauce is salty.

[@shockalockabocka]

I’ve used both and also Squid and Tiparos brands extensively. Red boat is my go to. The way I know the diff is when I’ve meal prepped Pad Thai, or any of my Viet dishes and it doesn’t smell like fish when u warm it up in the microwave. It just smells savory goodness like soy sauce orrr ... MSG, which I don’t have a prob w.

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

The fish smell is sort of foul isn't it if you think about it. But if you eat enough, you get used to it.

[@shockalockabocka]

@@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel yeah, I've made homestyle nuoc cham dipping sauce w red boat and w/o heating and it was slightly assaulting, but not like squid or three crabs. If u simmer it a bit on the stove, not boil, it becomes very smooth. If I can't be bothered/have the time, I'll use half fish sauce, half a cleaner soy sauce like Kikkoman Marudaizu or LKK Supreme. But one thing u need to realize is most Viet restaurants in the US make there nuoc cham w maybe 1/4 fish sauce and 3/4 water and a shit ton of sugar, and some white vinegar. So at the end u have this sugar water spiked/preserved with vinegar sauce and the smallest amt of fish sauce to add umami. Most homestyle recipes use equal parts, fish sauce, (perishable) lime juice, and sugar in equal amts, then dilute that base one time and it lasts ab a week but it's the most full bodied nuoc cham u'll ever have.

[@hokudadog7637]

Love red boat, especially for dipping sauces

[@catarinagomez1335]

Thanks so much for your informative KZbin! Great job! Wondering why you taste the sauce with yr finger. A tiny spoon or a dropper could be used instead.

[@tlet4769]

Agreed. For $9 red boat should be in glass bottle. Plastic containers no good for health, especially when hold hot or salty stuff

[@giaonguyen7236]

I use Megachef fish sauce to make my Vietnamese dipping sauce, squid fish sauce just for cooking. I find 3 crabs is still more expensive, and Megachef is cheaper, and the taste is a very good comparison.

[@helfulvids]

Three crabs will greatly improve any homemade ceasae salad dressing

[@LoveFoodMore]

I did a tasting.. I think 7-9 different sauces. I’ll never do again. But it was enjoyable to see someone else do. 👍👍

[@lifegoeson1007]

What’s your best pick?

[@LoveFoodMore]

@@lifegoeson1007 For Finishing Fish Sauce 9999 40N anything labeled 40N I found to be superior. And Everyday I chose MegaChef. I was surprised... You can check out the full video on my channel

[@lifegoeson1007]

@@LoveFoodMore thank you, I’ll check it out

[@ycr_14]

How did you do the tasting, 1 shot per sauce? The proper way is to make papaya salad with each type of fish sauce. Lol

[@Andrea-qx9vg]

Thank you for the review. On my way to get the 3 crab fish sauce

[@MistyMightBeManicShaklefor7416]

I just bought a bottle of red boat at H Mart & it's in a glass bottle... It was more expensive than I thought it would be. Also grabbed a bottle of squid because the price was a quarter of the red boat lol

[@devonrocks6]

Lol so crazy! I did a search for the best fish sauces because I’m planning to use some on fried rice, and I see none other than beat the bush! I’m subscribed to your finance channel. I had no idea you did food too!

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

Oh yes! This is the food channel!

[@slee7258]

Who sells more? 3 crabs or red boat?

[@ycr_14]

Both have different uses, 3 crabs for seasoning, and red boat for everything else.

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

Hmmm. To be cost effective. Otherwise you can just use red boat for everything.

[@chinaboss6683]

Dude i suggest you mix 3parts crab brand with 1 part red boat to get it kickin'.

[@GoetzimRegen]

You should tast Garum and Colatura di Alici too. I think Red Boat is modeled after Colatura di Alici.

[@mrd3863]

Red boat. Hands down.

[@brucelee5576]

It depends on what you like Red Boat has a stronger fish taste probably not the best for your non Viet or Thai buddies, Squid brand is cheaper and has a very clean and crisp flavor. Squid Brand Premium is the best.

[@mrctunes]

When new, Red Boat. after opening and sitting in my fridge for 1 year; 3 crabs by far. Bring that fermentation action!

[@AVELSCHANNEL]

I love red boat pricey but worth it! Highly recommend ❤❤❤

[@jayctivoip]

Can you do a blind taste test of Fish sauce ? America's test kitchen did a blind test and chose red boat but they were just testing it by itself so it is not a good test

[@jamespriddy8275]

I bought some Red Boat months ago. I did my research and took the advice. I don’t care about price. This will last me several years. Now after watching this, I went to taste my Fish sauce…..I hadn’t even opened it yet! So I did. Very salty. I’ll try it in my next soup. I just put some sticky rice on the stove and added some fish sauce for the salty flavor. I use the rice for my California Rolls. This is another test.

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

I'd say the fish sauce is best when added on soups or might need to be diluted for dips. It's GREAT on pork bones after boiling in soup.

[@kamauwikeepa7308]

There are many food substances that could have an offensive odour, but get over the smell and you'll find the taste is quite different. Parmesan cheese to me has a strong smell which belies the taste I think. To each his own.

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

Like durian... but eeek, I don't like that one.

[@songolin4544]

It seems the KZbinr gets offended easily by the aroma of dishes. Fish sauce and similarly shrimp paste has that pungency as part of their complex aroma as that's what it adds to a dish that isn't just salt otherwise what you're really getting mostly is MSG and salt. There's nothing wrong with that, but don't get fish sauce of shrimp paste if you're expecting it not to smell like fish or shrimp.

[@jrcimini]

Whatever floats your boat, for me, it's Red Boat.

[@FisherKot]

Red boat is dope. Favorite sauce other than Worcestershire sauce. My two favorites

[@CB-qb8hj]

Use Red Boat as a finishing sauce

[@user-ew6rs1tm7z]

Only thing that matters is which one taste better

[@nl9296]

Thanks for posting this video. I was debating on whether or not to buy the Red Boat Fish Sauce to try. I wanted to hear someone's opinion on it first. A few months earlier I bought a premium brand Fish Sauce called Vi Xua at a store and was disappointed with it. It tasted no better than the 3-Crab brand; actually, it's kind of salty. I grew up with the 3-Crab brand so I think I better stick with it. Thanks for your review video.

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

When you feel fancy, you use the red boat.

[@janem3575]

I saw another review that said if you won't be cooking with it, it's a better dipping sauce relatively speaking than for cooking

[@songolin4544]

@@janem3575 It's true, either money isn't a problem or you're not really sure what you're doing in the kitchen if you're just using a more expensive product in the fish without knowing why the dish requires it in the first place.

[@nhiathor8155]

Bought red bought. No sweetness. A lot saltier. Nothing to die for. Last time buying red boat. A lot of Asian dishes have sugar primarily Lao, Thai, and Hmong. I’m going to try Son brand next.

[@masterxiong7368]

3 crab hands down is the best

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

Is it?

[@vietnam2013]

Typical chinese copy copy cat that uses confusing labels to fool buyers. 3 crabs is anything but Vietnamese.

[@wizztzab9274]

Red Boat works much better for a cleaner elimination diet such as Keto & Carnivore.

[@songolin4544]

Without the addition of sugar, yes, definitely a better option for that.

[@sallywasagoodolgal]

In my store the price is almost the same. I've been buying 3 crabs for a long time. I'll buy Red Boat next time.

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

If its the same, I'd go for red boat for sure.

[@TheCobrabee]

I use 3 crabs. I have to admit, it smells like a pet food store.

[@stevenanderson7046]

What did Magnus eat for lunch? I must know

[@Afrocanuk]

Does the Red Boat fish sauce go on the fish after its cooked?

[@z-z-z-z]

it is in the fish already. you squeeze fish titties to get the fish sauce out...

[@BIGONE276]

Red boat is more pure and better on food especially soups

[@aznlilriceboi89]

What about one crab brand fish sauce?

[@InfinitiQX70]

Fish sauces are “Vietnam brand” since Viet Huong and Phu Quoc are made in China👎🏻… I would go with RED BOAT that actually made in Phu Quoc, Vietnam 👍🏻

[@hoobeydoobey1267]

I like 3 crab better. Marinate chicken in it. Thank me later. It makes the chicken more chickeny. To me the 3 crab has a fruitiness to it, it's a more rounded flavor compared to red boat.

[@crimsonfancy]

Yeah. 3 Crab and it doesn't matter the competition. It's not a fad it's trended. It's the one and it always has been. Red Boat ok. Maybe for something but for the standard kitchen staple, 3 Crab.

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

Serious? If you like no added extra filler ingredients then red boat would be better.

[@csl9495]

Just from the ingridient list you could tell 3crab is better. I never had red boat, but its obviously overhyped. Its like only Apple users would like it.

[@lemontea128]

You serious. You think a flavor enchancer as a ingredient is better, hydrolyzed vegetable protein. Do you know how to read ingredient lists.

[@chien.nguyen.]

Since when are additives and sugar considered a better standard for health? When it comes to fish sauce, you should use anchovies and salt, that's what Red Boat uses, they don't add anything else, the brand is in the shape of 3 fish. Crab uses 40% pure fish sauce from Phu Quoc, the rest is sugar and additives

[@songolin4544]

@@lemontea128 Essentially sugar and MSG. I'm guessing you're anti-MSG too?

[@FIFAball1904]

You don't smell fish sauce for quality. You taste it !

[@cleancutguy1892]

I'd rather expand a few dollars more for a quality product like red boat fish sauce. The cheap one makes me cringe when I see the artificial flavors and corn syrup. There are other great fish sauces in the market that are pretty good such as abalone and premium squid. My top favorite is abalone.

[@theforeverpuddle8754]

How much fish sauce are you using that 4 vs 9 dollars is that much of a difference for the life of the bottle? Also, what you don't realize is that water is the third ingredient in 3 crabs which means you are getting a less concentrated product. Plus you have the other additives. I'm not sure what anchovy extract is either, and how that's different from just anchovies.

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

I don't even use much fish sauce anymore but I prefer red boat now since its more natural.

[@elevate32767]

I had no idea Three Crabs had fructose.

[@Bestpubgplayer1]

I've heard to use red boat for making dips and salads but if you're making stir-fry or soup, three crabs is ok

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

When you are not diluting it, the refined taste is important.

[@mikehunt5934]

Costco? My next stop

[@thumtlnguyen3626]

Do not trust the ingredients label it read anchovies. For cheaper brands, they do mix with other kind of fish in the process of making it.

[@michaeldoane7014]

Red Boat is superior quality and not made in China. China bought out lots of fish sauce that were originally made in Vietnam, Thailand.

[@gotfoodstamps]

3 crab always man here

[@dinein1970]

Ref Boat, Son 40 are the BEST and most intense Fish Sauce Brands.

[@ballistic350]

I like the 3 crab, most asians have that brand, I will try red boat soon, thanks for the video, plz do not attempt to take shots of fish sauce it can kill you😂

[@SwiperTheFox-sz3sw]

Troi oi 3 Crabs is what I grew up on.

[@vanihands]

Gracias

[@katc9685]

Good comparison. I didn't know the Red Boat is only anchovy and salt, that's a plus. The lack of pungent smell is a bonus to not offend others. Fish sauce does make your microwave smell terrible.

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

For the lake of foul smell alone might be worth it.

[@SpaceExplorer31]

Red Boat is DELICIOUS and taste awesome

[@thanhuy68]

Three crabs brand isnt authentic fish sauce. It's a blended sauce with color, sugar and fishes extraction for flavor. I grew up with three crabs brand but switch to Red Boat in recent year. I'd rather add sugar or other ingredients when need. Thanks for sharing.

[@janem3575]

Red Boat is hard to find in Canada unless I pay a small fortune in shipping!

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

I agree. Might be better simply because it has pure ingredients.

[@mencken8]

Red Boat FTW.

[@miketuggle9273]

If you haven't you should do a video of how it's made. The rotting fermenting run off from the fish sitting in the sun. Its disgusting, but I have to admit dishes that use it taste off if fish sauce is not used. Tastes like the smell of an old dirty gas station rest room to me, especially squid brand.

[@songolin4544]

It's the complexity of the fermentation and the pungency, similar to stinky cheese. To not have it is like having MSG and salt with a slight essence of fish.

[@PiggyLong-zz6uw]

Very good.

[@azgardener79]

Red boat all the way

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

More pure probably better.

[@azgardener79]

Honestly no comparison. 3 crabs is like pure olive oil diluted with canola while red boat is like Extra Virgin. They are both different products

[@mentalitydesignvideo]

come on, there's no comparison. There are other decent sauces out there, but not this. Red Boat is the golden standard.

[@samsonbui9403]

Dude one is older then the other.

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

Yep. But the taste doesn't change much to me. I've used the three crabs for years.

[@BugGenerat0r]

As an Asian who grew up in Asia: you’re eating fish sauce wrong! Also, Red Boat is better.

[@main2333]

For $9. Should at least be in glass. Less chemicals leaching.

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

That did bother me a bit but then the taste is obviously better.

[@kurtsmith4657]

Three crab is do-do compared to the red boat. Red boat is the fire, 2 ingredients, takes a year of fermentation to make. Throw that 3 crab in the trash.

[@lorenzopereira6893]

You should try Megachef too!

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

Looked that up and wow, it really is a fish sauce brand I have never had before!

[@thomashamilton9779]

@@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel Brought back 2 bottles from Thailand...pretty good.

[@josefhahn4599]

Megachef is Squid Brand owned

[@huyvlam]

Honest review but it doesn't seem like you know much about fish sauce

[@mikehunt5934]

I've found Red Boat to b the best.

[@allgoodtoday829]

Megachef is my brand

[@nyccolm]

Red Boat is far superior to any fish sauce I’ve tried in Canada. I never use anything else. The flavour is far more complex and the saltiness is more muted. Most cheap fish sauce just tastes like lousy acrid salt.

[@verena-v35-777-Jack]

13€ it is not 9 Dollars

[@cerebrusprime4742]

Red Boat Second Choice.....

[@fonline1390]

Challenge: would love to see you clear your throat with alcohol next time :p Anyway, thank you for the video!

[@Storm78727]

My three crab one was made in hong kong. I wonder why?

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

Seems like they make them in more than a single place.

[@matthewsarno5601]

People on Keto/Paleo/Low Carb diets might care that Red Boat has 0 grams of total/net carbs per tablespoon, but 3 Crabs has 2 grams of total/net carbs per 15 ml serving, presumably from the fructose and the corn-based hydrolyzed vegetable protein. (15 ml is 1 US tablespoon.) For comparison, Thailand's Squid brand's ingredients are Anchovy, Salt, Sugar but list 0 carbs per 15 ml serving. I have been a big fan of 3 Crabs for the past 20 years, but I now want to try Red Boat. For non-Asians who might think a single bottle of fish sauce would last several years, try thinking of it as an umami booster, the same way you might use Italian canned anchovies. They add a lot of umami but tend to dissolve into the dish you are making. They improve the savory flavor of your dish, but no one knows they are there. When you think of it this way, you can find a lot more uses for fish sauce.

[@renthal971]

The sugar in the 3 crabs will stick and coat the wok when I am stir-frying. It never was like that, Fish Sauce companies started adding sugar and other preservatives recently

[@janem3575]

Really?! Everything seems to be sweeter these days. I was surprised to find sugar in soy sauce. Never noticed that before!

[@renthal971]

@@janem3575 US Regulations on imported food from Asia are getting tighter. Many brands have to change their formals to be considered edible, which often involves adding sugar, msg, and preservatives. All of my favorite sauces have changed and increased in price.I don't like it

[@chriskeo392]

More content bro

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

I'm tryin! =D

[@philongpham3886]

3 crab is not real fish sause, it's terrible. As I remember it is produced in Taiwan or Hong Kong, not Vietnamese. Red boat is superior in every way. It's not the best fish sauce I've ever tasted but comes pretty close. Since I left Vietnamese, Red Boat is my only choice. A little bit expensive but well worth it.

[@Layput]

If you want to get the best, get the red boat. It's not like you are using fish sauce everyday. That amount will last you a year. $10 will last you a year. Get the best one and promote quality.

[@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel]

Probably. But if you have beef noodle soup, the soup uses a lot of fish sauce.

[@Layput]

@@BeatTheBushFoodnTravel I see. But cut back on salt or you could be in for a rude awakening one day with huge kidney stones. Just don't forget to drink lots of water.

[@donwan2637]

3 crab all day

[@kitcooks]

Red boat is overrated, bought it today and was highly disappointed