Vietnamese Dipping Sauce (Nuoc Cham)
Vietnamese Dipping Sauce (Nuoc Cham)
Ingredients
- 2 garlic, cloves, finely chopped
- 1 red chili, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
- 5 tablespoons warm water
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Finely chop the garlic cloves and red chili. This step is crucial for developing the sauce's foundational flavor.
⏱️ 3 min
- 2
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the warm water, granulated sugar, fish sauce, and rice vinegar.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Stir the mixture thoroughly until the sugar is completely dissolved. The liquid should achieve a light golden color.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Add the finely chopped garlic and chili to the dissolved sugar mixture.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Observe the garlic and chili. If they float to the top, the sauce is perfectly balanced. If they sink, it indicates too much fish sauce, and if they neither sink nor float, it suggests more vinegar is needed. Adjust to your preference.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
Add a small touch of black pepper to the sauce for an extra layer of flavor.
- 7
Give the sauce a final mix. Taste and adjust any of the sweet, sour, or salty components until it is perfectly balanced to your liking.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Vietnamese Dipping Sauce (Nuoc Cham)
- 2 garlic, cloves, finely chopped
- 1 red chili, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
- 5 tablespoons warm water
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Finely chop the garlic cloves and red chili. This step is crucial for developing the sauce's foundational flavor.
⏱️ 3 min - 2
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the warm water, granulated sugar, fish sauce, and rice vinegar.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Stir the mixture thoroughly until the sugar is completely dissolved. The liquid should achieve a light golden color.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Add the finely chopped garlic and chili to the dissolved sugar mixture.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Observe the garlic and chili. If they float to the top, the sauce is perfectly balanced. If they sink, it indicates too much fish sauce, and if they neither sink nor float, it suggests more vinegar is needed. Adjust to your preference.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
Add a small touch of black pepper to the sauce for an extra layer of flavor.
- 7
Give the sauce a final mix. Taste and adjust any of the sweet, sour, or salty components until it is perfectly balanced to your liking.
⏱️ 1 min