Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Fish Sauce Dipping Sauce)

Ingredients

• 0.25 cup Sugar
• 0.25 cup Fish sauce (High quality recommended)
• 1.25 cup Filtered water (Can substitute with coconut water or Sprite for extra flavor)
• 2 Garlic (minced)
• 2 Thai chilies (chopped)
• 2 tbsp Lime juice (Freshly squeezed; add more or less to taste)

Steps

1. 1

   In a bowl or jar, combine equal parts sugar and high-quality fish sauce (e.g., 1/4 cup each).

2. 2

   Add filtered water using a 1:1:5 ratio relative to the sugar and fish sauce (e.g., 1 1/4 cups water). For a flavor variation, you can substitute the water with coconut water or Sprite.

3. 3

   Add the minced garlic and chopped Thai chilies to the mixture.

4. 4

   Squeeze in fresh lime juice to taste, depending on how tart you prefer the sauce.

5. 5

   Whisk or stir the mixture thoroughly until all the sugar is completely dissolved.

6. 6

   Serve immediately with spring rolls, egg rolls, vermicelli bowls, or grilled meats.

Notes

The creator suggests a 1:1:5 ratio for sugar, fish sauce, and water. Using Sprite or coconut water instead of plain water adds a unique sweetness and depth common in some regional variations.

Nutrition per serving

• sauce
• condiment
• vietnamese
• dipping sauce
• no-cook
• spicy
• gluten-free
• dairy-free