Vietnamese Dipping Sauce (Nuoc Cham) with Thai Twist

Vietnamese cuisine is celebrated for its abundance of fresh vegetables and herbs. Nước chấm is a staple of Vietnamese cooking—a versatile dipping sauce known for its perfect balance of savory, tangy, and sweet flavors. Our version adds a Thai twist to this famous sauce with an extra layer of lemongrass from Watcharee’s Lemongrass Chili Sauce. Enjoy it over noodle bowls, with grilled meats, or alongside fresh wraps for an authentic Southeast Asian flavor experience made easy at home.

Author

Watcharee Limanon

Prep Time

5 minutes

Cook Time

0 minutes

Servings

4

Category

Sauce

Cuisine

Vietnamese

Ingredients

• 1–2 tbsp Watcharee’s Thai Lemongrass Chili Sauce
• 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2–3 fresh red chilies, sliced
• 1 tbsp sugar
• ¼ cup water

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine garlic, fish sauce, lime juice, red chilies, sugar, water, and Watcharee’s Lemongrass Chili Sauce.
2. Stir well until the sugar is fully dissolved and the flavors are balanced.
3. Let the sauce sit for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
4. Serve as a dipping sauce or drizzle over noodle bowls. Also delicious with lettuce wraps, fresh vegetables, and grilled meat or tofu. Pairs well with grilled chicken, tofu, or prawns.