About Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce)
Nước chấm means dipping sauce in the Vietnamese language. It is also known as Nước Mắm, which means mixed fish sauce.
Stapled in Vietnam and across Southeast Asian households, this simple homemade condiment is a must when it comes to dipping sauce for spring rolls, fresh rolls, and egg rolls. It’s also a famous dressing next to vermicelli noodles salad.
If you’ve tried Vietnamese food, you’ll notice it rarely comes without it. The balanced flavors of the umami makes it a perfect accompaniment to noodles, grilled meat, and deep-fried dishes.
RECIPE HIGHLIGHT: While Nước chấm is usually made with white sugar, I gave this recipe a healthy twist by swapping it with natural sugar substitutes.
Table of Contents
- About Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce)
- What is nuoc cham (Vietnamese dipping sauce) best paired with?
- Condiment used in this Vietnamese dipping sauce recipe
- Sugar substitutes you can use in Nước chấm
- Calories in Nuoc Cham
- Frequently asked questions
- Related Recipes
🌱 If you’re looking for a Vietnamese dipping sauce recipe or a simple Vietnamese dressing that is light but flavorful, this recipe is one option you can whip up in less than 5 minutes! Perfect to balance the blandness of any food in a super short time!
What is nuoc cham (Vietnamese dipping sauce) best paired with?
- Vietnamese rolls – Whether it’s spring rolls, fresh rolls, or egg rolls, this dipping sauce makes each bite more flavorful and punchy.
- Side condiment for noodle dishes & rice dishes – With just a small drop, it adds an extra kick of flavor to rice bowls, noodle salads, stir-fries, and even noodle soups.
- Deep-fried foods – Dipping sauce to any deep-fried Asian dishes like wonton, tempura, and vegetable fritters.
- As a light salad dressing (Asian-style) – This Vietnamese sauce makes a refreshing salad dressing. It adds just enough flavor to make raw veggies more enjoyable, without the heaviness of creamy or oil-based dressings. When I’m craving something lighter with a hint of natural sweetness, this is my go-to.
- Grilled meat & seafood – Works wonders as a dipping sauce, quick glaze, or even a marinade. It balances the meat and seafood taste with fresh, tangy, and subtly sweet umami notes.
Condiment used in this Vietnamese dipping sauce recipe
If my recipes called for any store-bought condiment, I make sure it’s as natural as possible with as few artificial ingredients as possible. I will also try to balance it with other all-natural ingredients following the 80-20% rule.
For a recipe that involves fish sauce, I’m a big fan of Red Boat Fish Sauce due to its purity and flavor. It is minimally processed, through fermentation of wild-caught anchovies and salt from the sea of Phu Quoc Island.
Though I wouldn’t count on the health benefits too much, good-quality fish sauce might contain minerals like iron! Just keep an eye on the sodium, as it can add up quickly. The flavor and aroma are the best compared to most brands I’ve tried.
Sugar substitutes you can use in Nước chấm
In this recipe, I substitute white sugar for honey, as it is a staple in my kitchen. Use mild honey so as not to overpower the fish sauce and lime taste. Other substitutes I alternate are:
- Frozen pineapple juice cubes – a clean and fresh choice! Yup, you can make this from scratch too! Use 3 cubes of pineapple juice / 4 tbsp of pineapple juice.
- Apple sauce – Add extra fiber to the sauce – Use 3 tbsp of apple sauce in this recipe.
- Palm sugar – A quick choice of unrefined sweetener staple in Southeast Asia. For this recipe, go for 1 and 1/2 tbsp of palm sugar.
- Brown sugar or coconut sugar – A more universal choice of unrefined sugar to choose from. For this nuoc cham recipe, go for 2 tbsp of palm sugar.
Calories in Nuoc Cham
Frequently asked questions
Can I use vinegar instead of lime in Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce)?
Yes, you can use vinegar instead of lime in Nuoc Cham. Go for rice vinegar as it gives a milder tang, while white vinegar can be too sharp. If you have access to white condiment or grape vinegar, they can be a sweeter option. You can reduce the added sweetener!
How spicy is this Vietnamese fish sauce?
How spicy this sauce is really depends on how much chili you add. I like mine mild enough to notice the spiciness, but not so much that it burns my lips. Most of the time, it stays on the milder side.
Is fish sauce healthy?
I don’t rely on fish sauce for nutrition, since it’s mostly used in small amounts as a flavor booster. Even a good-quality minimally processed fish sauce is just anchovies and salt, which can still be high in sodium. I use it mindfully and choose brands without preservatives or additives, and I won’t be adding more salt to that recipe with fish sauce.
What does fish sauce taste like?
Fish sauce is salty with a concentrated umami flavor. The aroma can be strong, and it’s not meant to be eaten on its own (luckily). But when combined with sweetness, acidity, and a bit of spiciness, it creates the balanced flavor that defines Vietnamese cuisine.
What does Nước chấm taste?
Nuoc cham tastes like honey and lime water, but on the savory side. It’s a perfect balance of sweet and acidic, with a mild sharpness from chili and garlic. You won’t taste the fishy aroma at all as it’s been balanced by other ingredients.
Related Recipes
Other Asian Sauces You Might Like (Naturally Sweetened)
Small Bites Recipes To Pair With Nuoc Cham
Other Recipe Ideas You Can Enjoy With Nước chấm
Vietnamese Sauce – Nước chấm with sugar substitute
150
ml40
kcal5
minutes
Nuoc Cham, a classic Vietnamese dipping sauce recipe for spring rolls, noodles, and salads made with natural sweetener for a healthier twist.
Ingredients
2 tbsp Rice Vinegar
2 tbsp Freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tbsp Red Boat Fish Sauce
3 cloves Garlic – smashed and chopped thinly
2 tbsp Mild flavored honey (Check substitution above)
1 Thai red chili – sliced thinly (reduced if you can’t tolerate spicy)
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well with a spoon.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Thai chili can be very spicy to some people. If you can’t tolerate spicy food, reduce the chili to half or a quarter.
- My version of Nước chấm follows 1:1:1:1 ratio, an equal parts vinegar, lime juice, fish sauce, and honey. Unlike most restaurant’s nuoc cham, I don’t like it diluted with water as it gets too thin. So, expect more flavor with just 1 dipping!
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 15g
- Total number of serves: 5
- Calories: 200kcal
- Sodium: 520mg
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Sugar: 6g
🥣 Did you try this recipe? Let me know in the comments below.
