World Flavors Cookbook

Nước Chấm (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce)

The essential Vietnamese table sauce — fish sauce, lime, sugar, garlic, and chili in perfect balance. The foundation of Vietnamese flavor.

Cuisine: Vietnam

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp lime juice (or rice vinegar)
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 4 tbsp warm water
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-2 bird eye chilies, thinly sliced

Instructions

1. Dissolve sugar in warm water.
2. Add fish sauce and lime juice.
3. Add garlic and chili.
4. Taste for balance: should be equally sweet, sour, salty, and spicy.
5. Adjust with more lime, sugar, or fish sauce as needed.