vietnamese dipping sauce inside a white bowl on a slate colored table with a green checkered napkin
Updated: October 27, 2026
By Lynn Matava , and Sarah Truitt

Vietnamese Dipping Sauce (Nước Chấm) Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 3 Tbsp. Sugar, divided
  • 1 Small Thai Chile, stemmed and minced
  • 1 Garlic Clove, minced
  • ⅔ Cup Hot Water
  • 5 Tbsp. Fish Sauce
  • ¼ Cup Lime Juice

Instructions:

  1. Using mortar and pestle, mash chile, garlic and 1 Tbsp. sugar to fine paste (or mash to paste on cutting board using flat side of chef’s knife).
  2. Transfer to medium bowl and add 2 tbsp. sugar and hot water. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
  3. Stir in fish sauce and lime juice.
  4. Serve as a dipping sauce with your choice of food, like summer rolls.

Download Printable Recipe Card