Nuoc Cham

Name: Nuoc Cham
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1.5 tbsp palm sugar, finely grated or chopped; 2 tbsp hot water; 1 tbsp fish sauce, preferably Vietnamese or Thai brands; 1 tbsp rice vinegar; 1 tbsp lime juice, freshly squeezed; 1 clove garlic, minced fine; 1 tbsp red Holland chili pepper, sliced thin

Classic Vietnamese Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce

The backbone of Vietnamese cuisine, this essential dipping sauce hits every note — salty fish sauce, tart lime, gentle sweetness, and fiery chilies all in perfect balance. It takes just minutes to make and transforms everything from spring rolls to grilled meats into something special.

VietnameseAsianSauceGluten FreeDairy FreeQuick MealsNo Cook

Prep10 min

Cook—

Total10 min

Servings—

Difficultyeasy

Ingredients

1½ tbsppalm sugar, finely grated or chopped
2 tbsphot water
1 tbspfish sauce, preferably Vietnamese or Thai brands
1 tbsprice vinegar
1 tbsplime juice, freshly squeezed
1 clovegarlic, minced fine
1 tbspred Holland chili pepper, sliced thin

Instructions

Drop the palm sugar into a small bowl and pour the hot water over it. Stir until completely dissolved — this might take a minute or two if your sugar is chunky. Once clear, stir in the fish sauce and rice vinegar. The base will keep covered in the fridge for up to a week.
Just before serving, add the fresh lime juice, minced garlic, and sliced chilies to the bowl. Give it a final stir and taste — the sauce should be a harmonious blend of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy. Serve immediately while the garlic and chilies are at their brightest.