Cốt Đặc Biệt 40N is a traditional fish sauce produced by the Vietnamese company Lê Gia. It is made exclusively from fresh anchovies and pure sea salt in a ratio of approximately three parts fish to one part salt. Anchovies account for 76 percent of the product while the remaining 24 percent consists of salt. The fish are salted immediately after being caught to preserve the quality of the raw material and its natural protein content. The mixture undergoes natural fermentation in large wooden barrels for 18 to 24 months. During maturation a traditional method of compression and gradual extraction of liquid from the fermented mixture is applied. The undiluted sauce obtained from the first extractions is used for bottling. The 40N designation indicates that the product contains approximately 40 grams of total nitrogen per liter which reflects its high natural concentration of fish proteins and amino acids. The sauce has a dark amber color with reddish tones and a mild aroma of fermented anchovies. Its flavor is intensely salty and full-bodied with a pronounced umami character and a naturally sweet finish.
Producer
Lê Gia is a Vietnamese producer of traditional fermented condiments based in the coastal district of Hoằng Hóa in Thanh Hóa Province. The brand was founded in 2015 by Lê Ngọc Anh with the aim of preserving the heritage of Khúc Phụ village which has been associated with fish sauce production for more than two centuries. Its core product is fish sauce made from fresh anchovies and pure sea salt without added water, flavor enhancers or preservatives. The fish are salted immediately after being caught to preserve their natural quality. The mixture is then matured in large traditional wooden barrels for 18 to 24 months. After fermentation the first-press sauce is extracted and develops a clear amber color, a pronounced umami character and a mildly sweet finish. The producer also blends liquid from several barrels to achieve a consistent flavor in the finished product. In addition to fish sauce the range includes fermented krill paste, shrimp sauce, fermented fish products and other condiments characteristic of Vietnamese cuisine. The company works with local fishermen and salt producers which helps preserve the traditional livelihoods of the coastal community. Since 2024 the Lê Gia production complex has also been recognized as a tourist destination where visitors can learn about the history and production of traditional fermented sauces.