Did You Know – Budu Fermented Fish Sauce
Have you ever heard of Budu fermented fish sauce? I was watching a TV show about Malaysia cooking and on this particular show they left massive containers of fish and salt in the sun for months and they stirred it every day. This blew my mind so I had to find out more.
- Budu is a Malaysian fermented anchovy sauce that is left to ferment in earthen containers in the sun or shade for 6-18 months.
- The primary ingredient in Budu is anchovies. They should be fresh and of high quality. The anchovies are thoroughly cleaned, and their guts are removed prior to beginning the fermentation process.
- In the fermentation process, small fish are immersed in a brine solution for 6 to 18 months.
- During fermentation, the anchovies liquify and proteolytic and halophilic microorganisms convert the fish proteins into amino acids and peptides, which give the sauce its characteristic taste.
- Budu is commonly used as a dipping sauce for fresh vegetables or grilled meat, and it is also used as a flavoring agent in soups and stews. In some parts of Malaysia, budu is even used as a substitute for soy sauce or fish sauce in recipes.
- Budu is a thick, sticky brown liquid with grey colloidal fish flesh separated from the fish bones suspended in it, and it has a salty taste.
- Tamarind and palm sugar are often added to the mix, giving the sauce a dark brown color. Budu is cloudy in color due to the sediment of fish bones and hydrolyzed fish meat.
- The word “budu” in the Telugu language typically refers to a bad or foul smell. It is often used to describe something that emits an unpleasant odor.
- Consumption of Budu can potentially be detrimental to health due to its high histamine and purine content.
- I don’t know a lot about fermented food other than it’s good for your gut. I have no interest in trying this one. Have you ever eaten Budu fermented fish sauce?
http://www.InDianesKitchen.com
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Categories: Brine, Did You Know, Fish, Sauces
Lots of fishies.
For sure! Lol
The Romans handed that one down .I tasted such a rotten fish sauce Roman style and i did not like it. Romans loved it but it belongs in past
You are a brave sole for trying it and yes, it belongs in the past!
Never eaten it, but I would give it a go
You are braver than me!
Thank you for reposting! 🥰
New to me!
It floored me when I saw them stirring this stuff in the sun and then when they said for how long I about died! All I could think of was how do the keep the bugs and bird droppings out. No way would I eat this but the fact that I’m not crazy about fish is another reason. Lol
What an experience!
I cook with Vietnamese style fish sauce but they are made in a similar fashion. You can only imagine how it all smells as it goes through the fermentation and preparation process. But it adds so much flavour to dishes, especially grilled meat. Yum! 😋
Maybe (let me repeat, maybe) if I liked fish, thank God I am not crazy about fish. 🤣
My husband has used fish sauce in Asian cuisine, and it works well. I don’t think it was this sauce, however, and the pictures and description of how it is made certainly don’t entice me to try it either, Diane. It was an interesting post! 😳
The fish sauce in the stores are different than this one I would hope. I wouldn’t try it either Linda, thank you!
Diane, I’m glad you said, “I have no interest in trying this one.” I didn’t want to be rude, but I have no desire to try it, either. It’s even named with a word meaning a stench, which makes me think they had the same opinion. So, I wonder, “What were they thinking?!” :/
I have no idea why anyone would want to eat this Ann! I can imagine how sick people must have gotten when they first tried to make this.
I know that Sweden is known for their fermented fish (which seems to have quite a smell) but have never heard of Budu fermented fish sauce. You say they leave it in the sun for that long — my word! Like you, I don’t think it will show up on our weekly menu either.
Yes the show I watched said they do but that it had to be stirred every day. The pot was huge! If something smells bad I don’t eat it! LOL
If only we could get fresh anchovies!
Right but not for this! 🤣
Something new – you are going to make us much smarter followers.
Hahaha Thank you!
New to me!
I knew of fish sauce but not this one.