For a smoother sauce, you can use a mortar and pestle to grind the garlic and chilies into a paste before adding them to the liquid ingredients. Adjust the amount of chili to suit your preferred spice level. Start with less and add more to taste. Store Nuoc Cham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The flavors will meld and deepen over time. For a vegetarian/vegan version, substitute the fish sauce with an equal amount of light soy sauce or tamari, and consider adding a pinch of seaweed flakes for umami.
Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Spicy Dipping Sauce)
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PREP TIME5 mins
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COOK TIME5 mins
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TOTAL TIME1 hrs 10 mins
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SERVING10 People
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VIEWS16
Embark on a culinary journey to Vietnam with this vibrant and versatile dipping sauce! Nuoc Cham is the cornerstone of Vietnamese cuisine, a symphony of sweet, sour, spicy, and savory flavors that will awaken your taste buds. Perfect for drizzling over spring rolls, grilled meats, or adding a zesty kick to your favorite noodle dishes.
Ingridients
Adjust Servings
Nutrition
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Carbohydrate9 g
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Fiber1 g
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Protein1 g
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Sodium441 mg
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Sugar7 g
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Fat0 g
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Unsaturated Fat0 g
Follow The Directions
01
Step
5 mins
Combine water, minced chilies, minced garlic, fish sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar in a small saucepan. (5 minutes)
02
Step
7 mins
Place the saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved. Avoid boiling. (5-7 minutes)
03
Step
1 hrs
Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool completely. (Approximately 1 hour)
04
Step
2 mins
Once cooled, stir in the fresh lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed – add more chili for heat, sugar for sweetness, or lemon juice for tang. (2 minutes)
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RECIPE REVIEWS
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Please Rate
Scarlett Pfannerstill
Jul 1, 2025I've tried other Nuoc Cham recipes, but this one is the best. The balance of flavors is perfect.
Dion Keeling
Jun 22, 2025So easy to make, and the flavor is incredible. I use it on everything!
Kennith Feil
Jun 3, 2025This recipe is spot on! It tastes just like the Nuoc Cham I had in Vietnam.
Lennie Lemke
May 30, 2025I made a batch for a dinner party, and everyone raved about it. Thank you for sharing!