Vietnamese Fish Sauce Recipe (Nước Chấm) | Easy Guides

Jump to recipe

Vietnamese fish sauce recipe, known as nước mắm in Vietnamese, is a special culinary ingredient that adds unique flavor to many dishes. Fish sauce is used in the famous Vietnamese dipping sauce called nước chấm.

In this article, you’ll learn all about the origins, ingredients, tastes, and uses of Vietnamese fish sauce. I’ll share a basic nước chấm recipe, along with creative variations from different regions of Vietnam. You’ll find out which dishes pair best with nước chấm, and get answers to frequently asked questions about this versatile condiment.

By the end, you’ll have a deep understanding of what makes Vietnamese fish sauce so distinctive. Let’s dive in.

What is Vietnamese Fish Sauce?

Authentic Vietnamese fish sauce comes from Vietnam, where it has been produced for centuries. The main ingredients are anchovies, salt, and water. The anchovies and salt are layered in large wooden barrels then left to ferment for up to 12 months.

This long fermentation period allows the fish to break down into a thick, aromatic brown liquid. The longer the fermentation process, the better the flavor. Industrial versions skip this fermentation step, producing an inferior product.

Vietnamese fish sauce has a more complex flavor than other Asian fish sauces. It strikes a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and umami. The aroma is pronounced but not overpowering. The consistency is smooth and syrupy. A little bit adds huge flavor punch.

Popular Vietnamese dishes featuring fish sauce include phở noodle soup, bún chả (grilled pork with noodles), cà ri gà (chicken curry), and nem nướng (grilled meatballs). It’s also the key ingredient in nước chấm dipping sauce.

How to Make Vietnamese Fish Sauce Recipe?

Nước chấm simply means “dipping sauce” in Vietnamese. It’s served alongside many Vietnamese meals. Here is a basic nước chấm recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1 Thai chili or serrano pepper, thinly sliced
• Optional: carrot and daikon radish matchsticks

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine the fish sauce, lime juice, water, sugar, and garlic. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
2. Add the sliced chili pepper and toss in the carrot and radish matchsticks, if using.
3. Let sit 5 minutes for flavors to develop before serving.

Tips:

• Adjust sauce consistency by adding more water.
• Balance sweet/salty flavors with more sugar or fish sauce.
• For spicier sauce, add more chilies or chili paste.
• Substitute rice vinegar for a mellower tang.

This quick sauce brightens up any meal. Now let’s explore some tasty variations!

Regional Vietnamese Fish Sauce Recipes

While the basic nước chấm recipe remains consistent, there are some subtle regional differences in Vietnam. Here are a few popular local variations:

Northern Vietnam

This version adds a toasted sesame flavor.

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 1-2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Sliced Thai chilies and garlic to taste

Central Vietnam

This sweeter sauce features ripe tomatoes.

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 small minced garlic clove
• 1 large tomato, seeded and diced

Southern Vietnam

More herbs and vegetables make this chunkier sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1⁄4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1⁄4 cup diced carrots
• 1⁄4 cup bean sprouts
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Thai chilies and garlic to taste

As you can see, nước chấm is highly adaptable to local tastes! Now let’s look at the best dishes to enjoy with these dipping sauces.

Dishes for Dipping

Half the fun of nước chấm is having things to dip in it! Here are some top food pairings:

• Spring rolls – Rice paper rolls with shrimp, pork, herbs and noodles.
• Meatballs – Savor the sweet-spicy sauce with grilled pork or chicken meatballs.
• Bánh xèo – This Vietnamese crepe with pork and shrimp is a perfect match.
• Fresh vegetables – Try dipping carrots, cucumbers, green mango, daikon radish.
• Grilled meats – For flavorful protein, dip grilled beef, chicken, or fish.
• Fried tofu – The sauce complements crispy cubes of tofu.

You can also use nước chấm as a marinade, salad dressing, sandwich spread, or cooking sauce. Get creative!

FAQs About Vietnamese Fish Sauce Recipe

Is Vietnamese fish sauce the same as Filipino fish sauce?

Vietnamese fish sauce and Filipino fish sauce are quite similar. They are both made from fermented anchovies, salt, and water. The main difference is that Vietnamese fish sauce tends to be saltier and have a stronger flavor.

Is there a difference between Thai fish sauce and Vietnamese fish sauce?

There are some differences between Thai and Vietnamese fish sauce. Thai fish sauce is usually made from anchovies and salt alone, while Vietnamese fish sauce also includes water. Thai fish sauce also tends to have a milder, sweeter flavor compared to the more pungent Vietnamese variety.

What is a substitute for Vietnamese fish sauce?

Good substitutes for Vietnamese fish sauce include soy sauce, coconut aminos, or a mix of salt, sugar, and water. You can also find vegetarian fish sauce substitutes made from mushrooms or seaweed. The substitutes won’t have the exact same flavor but can mimic the saltiness and umami.

Is Vietnamese fish sauce high in sodium?

Yes, Vietnamese fish sauce is very high in sodium. A 1 tablespoon serving can contain around 1,000 mg of sodium, which is nearly half an adult’s recommended daily sodium intake. The high sodium levels are due to the salt used during fermentation.

Conclusion: Vietnamese Fish Sauce Recipe

Vietnamese nước mắm fish sauce is a unique ingredient that adds irresistible savoriness to food. Making nước chấm dipping sauce is easy once you know the basic recipe. There are also endless variations to explore.

Dipping fresh spring rolls or grilled meat into this sweet, salty, and spicy sauce is pure culinary joy. Iscleecam hope this article has inspired you to incorporate more Vietnamese fish sauce into your cooking. Let me know if you have any other questions.