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Nuoc Cham

Shruthi
Nuoc Cham is a classic Vietnamese dipping sauce with a perfect sweet, sour, salty, and spicy balance.Fish sauce provides its deep savory character and unmistakable Vietnamese flavor.Fresh lime juice adds brightness while sugar gently rounds out the saltiness.Garlic and red chili provide fragrance, freshness, and a pleasant kick.This versatile sauce is perfect with spring rolls, noodles, grilled meats, and vegetables.It takes only minutes to prepare and can easily be customized to your preferred flavor.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Condiment, sauce
Cuisine Vietnamese
Servings 4
Calories 35 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup fish sauce
  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1–2 red Thai chilies, finely sliced or minced
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, optional
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro, optional
  • 1 tablespoon finely shredded carrot, optional

Instructions
 

Prepare the Garlic and Chili

  • Peel and finely mince the garlic.
    Slice the red chilies thinly or mince them, depending on how strong you want their flavor to be. Remove the seeds for a milder sauce or leave them in for extra heat.

Dissolve the Sugar

  • Add the warm water and sugar to a small bowl.
    Stir until the sugar completely dissolves.
    Using warm rather than cold water helps the sugar dissolve quickly and evenly.

Add the Fish Sauce

  • Pour in the fish sauce and stir well.
    The fish sauce provides the salty, savory foundation of Nuoc Cham.

Add the Lime Juice

  • Add the freshly squeezed lime juice.
    Stir thoroughly and taste the mixture.
    The sauce should have a pleasant balance between salty, sweet, and sour flavors.

Add Garlic and Chili

  • Stir in the minced garlic and chopped chili.
    Allow the sauce to sit for a few minutes so the garlic and chili can infuse their flavor into the liquid.

Adjust the Flavor

  • Taste the sauce and adjust according to your preference.
    If it is too salty, add a little water or sugar. If it is too sweet, add more lime juice. If it needs more savory depth, add a small amount of fish sauce. Add extra chili if you prefer more heat.

Serve

  • Pour the Nuoc Cham into a small dipping bowl.
    Serve immediately alongside fresh spring rolls, fried spring rolls, grilled meats, noodles, rice dishes, or vegetables.

Notes

  • Fresh Lime: Freshly squeezed lime juice provides a brighter flavor than bottled lime juice.
  • Fish Sauce: Fish sauces vary considerably in saltiness and intensity, so adjust the amount to taste.
  • Sugar: White sugar works well, but palm sugar can provide a deeper sweetness.
  • Chili: Thai chilies provide traditional heat, but other fresh red chilies can also be used.
  • Garlic: Finely minced garlic distributes its flavor throughout the sauce.
  • Vinegar: Rice vinegar is optional because lime juice already provides acidity.
  • Consistency: Add extra water if you prefer a lighter, more pourable sauce.
  • Serving: Taste the sauce alongside the food because the ideal balance can vary depending on what you are serving.

 

Keyword Easy Asian Dipping Sauce, Nuoc Cham Recipe, Sweet and Sour Dipping Sauce, Vietnamese Dipping Sauce, Vietnamese Fish Sauce, Vietnamese Spring Roll Sauce