Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce)
A bright, balanced Vietnamese dipping sauce with bold fish sauce, fresh lime, garlic, and a touch of sugar and chili heat, essential for spring rolls, grilled meats, and noodle bowls.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1.5 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 fresh red Thai chili or serrano, thinly sliced
- 2 tsp rice vinegar (optional, for extra tang)
Instructions
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1
In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup warm water and 1.5 tbsp granulated sugar until the sugar dissolves completely.
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2
Add 3 tbsp fish sauce, 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, and 2 tsp rice vinegar (optional, for extra tang). Stir to combine.
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3
Stir in 2 cloves minced garlic cloves and 1 thinly sliced fresh red Thai chili or serrano.
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4
Taste and adjust: add more lime juice for brightness, more fish sauce for depth, or more sugar to balance. Serve immediately at room temperature or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir before serving.