Vegetarian Pad Thai may replace fish sauce with what condiment?

Vegetarian Pad Thai may replace fish sauce with soy sauce. This substitution supplies salt and savory depth while allowing the dish to avoid fish-based ingredients; shrimp is commonly omitted as well.

Fish sauce is a fermented Southeast Asian seasoning traditionally made from fish and salt. Soy sauce, by contrast, is brewed from soybeans and usually wheat, or made with alternative formulations. They are not identical in flavor, but soy sauce is a practical vegetarian stand-in in Pad Thai.

A vegetarian Pad Thai is not necessarily vegan: eggs may still be included unless the cook leaves them out. Likewise, some sauces or prepared noodles can contain animal-derived ingredients, so diners with strict dietary requirements need to check the recipe. Oyster sauce and Worcestershire sauce are savory condiments, but conventional versions are not vegetarian replacements for fish sauce.