Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce)
Kaizen Wellness Recipe
Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce)
A bright, balanced Vietnamese-style dipping sauce made with lime juice, fish sauce, garlic, chile, and palm sugar. Choose the lighter version for calorie-controlled meals or the original version for a slightly sweeter, fuller flavour.
Recipe At A Glance
Best For
Rice bowls, spring rolls, salads, grilled protein
Storage
1 week refrigerated
Serving
Macros per 30g
Choose Your Version
Low-Cal Version
Use this when you want a lighter, sharper dipping sauce with more dilution and less sugar per serving.
Per 30g: 15 kcal | 63 kJ | P 3.2g | C 0.7g | F 0g
Original Recipe
Use this when you want a slightly sweeter, more concentrated sauce with classic balance.
Per 30g: 27 kcal | 113 kJ | P 6.3g | C 0.8g | F 0g
Low-Cal Version
A lighter sauce with more water and less palm sugar while keeping the lime, fish sauce, garlic, and chile flavour bright.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons palm sugar, 25g
- 1 cup warm water, 240 ml
- ⅓ cup fresh lime juice, 80g
- 6 tablespoons fish sauce, 90 ml
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Thai chile, minced
Method
- Dissolve the palm sugar in the warm water.
- Stir in the lime juice and fish sauce until well combined.
- Add the minced garlic and Thai chile.
- Mix well and adjust to taste before serving.
Macros Per 30g
Calories
Kilojoules
Protein
Carbs
Fat
Original Recipe
The classic-style version with palm sugar, lime juice, fish sauce, garlic, and chile for a sweet, salty, sour, and spicy finish.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup palm sugar
- ⅔ cup lukewarm water
- ⅓ cup fresh lime juice
- 6 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Thai chile, minced
Method
- Dissolve the palm sugar in the lukewarm water.
- Stir in the lime juice and fish sauce.
- Add the minced garlic and Thai chile.
- Mix well and adjust to taste before serving.
Macros Per 30g
Calories
Kilojoules
Protein
Carbs
Fat
Coach’s Notes
- Use immediately, or keep refrigerated in an airtight container for 1 week.
- To extend shelf life, briefly simmer the sauce for 1 to 2 minutes, cool it, then refrigerate for 10 to 14 days.
- Adjust to taste with more lime for brightness, more fish sauce for saltiness, or more water for a softer finish.
- Use as a dipping sauce, drizzle, or flavour base for bowls, salads, spring rolls, grilled chicken, fish, or prawns.
Recipe Complete
Choose the version that fits your meal, balance the sweet, sour, salty, and spicy notes, and use this sauce to bring fresh flavour to simple meals.
