You are welcome to have ALL of mine. I've had Swedish fermented herring, and not only did it smell awful, but I became disgusted with the Ammonia and H2S smell in my own mouth. The friend who had conned me into trying it then dumped it in the trash and his Swedish wife got upset because of the stench and made him take the entire bag of trash out at night when it was unpleasantly cold, wet, and windy. Turns out she's not a fan of Surströmming. I tried washing my teeth/tongue out with his expensive vodka and it certainly took enough shots to get drunk.
To be clear, I have no problem with any Blue cheese or even Epoisses. I don't love "stinky" tofu, but it doesn't bother me and I am somewhat charmed by durian. Fermented fish is in another league, and the small bones get stuck in your teeth.
Fish sauce is another kind of fermented fish. While it is definitely pungent and is disliked or an acquired taste for some, it isn't nearly as intense as what you describe and is loved by many. Southeast-asian-style fish sauce does not have an ammonia smell.
Perhaps not all fermented fish is the same. I doubt the Japanese one discussed here is similar to that Swedish dish, or has an ammonia smell.
> Fish sauce is a liquid condiment made from fish or krill that have been coated in salt and fermented for up to two years
As soy sauce which is fermented tofu (like stinky tofu), and fish sauce is to fermented fish, they are much more accusable than their source materials. Also, I'll note that a fish is often added to many traditional soy sauces in south Asia.
As author of the parent comment, I like both of those sauces and cook with them... but fermented whole fish (herring) is another kettle of fish entirely!
I believe Icelandic fermented fish was one of the few foods Anthony Bourdain found revolting. Based on my own experience with Icelandic and Japanese approaches to flavor, I would bet Funazushi tastes better, though.
I've had pickled herring before, I find it very tasty. I also like Natto. I have a strong predilection towards food that tastes spicy, bitter, salty and/or umami. Sweet stuff is fine. I like Vodka, so cheers to that.
Natto is none of spicy, bitter, salty, or umami. It also doesn't have the pleasant sharpness of pickled herring or vodka. It is glue, in both texture and taste, but also in function. Based on how firmly it glued my mouth shut, I'm certain it could find more industrial uses. Truly more bizarre than you make it.
As author of parent: I don't mind Natto. It's a strong almost musty taste to me and the texture is hard to get used to. As a breakfast condiment, I'd much prefer Marmite/Vegemite.
Another fermented fish thing I will not eat again, Fish Candy from Vietnam. Many of the same smells and tastes, but combined with a slightly caramelized sugar coating on a stick.
