Content may contain affiliate links. When you shop the links, we receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting my small business.

Nuoc mam is a delicious dipping sauce and vinaigrette that is easy to make and accompanies a lot of Vietnamese cuisines. Learn what dishes pair with with this balance of sweet, sour, and salty flavors.

If you have ever frequented a Vietnamese restaurant, you may remember small bowls of dipping sauce that had a slightly yellow opaque color with floating peppers and garlic called nuoc mam. These small bowls of delicious dipping sauce or vinaigrette (depending on how you use it) pack a punch to your already delicious dish.

People either love or hate nuoc mam. I’m obviously one who absolutely love nuoc mam because I grew up with it. Here’s my favorite nuoc mam recipe – it is such a versatile sauce that can be used to enhance a dish.

And if you love nuoc mam, check out my easy nuoc mam recipe that provides a delicious meld of sweet, sour, and salty flavors that provide a refreshingly light flavor to your meal.

Nuoc mam is generally made in batches. If sealed correctly (see my recipe for tips), it can last a few weeks.

What tastes good with nuoc mam?

In it’s most common and popular uses, nuoc mam pairs really well with fried Vietnamese egg rolls as well as a dressing over vermicelli noodles with grilled meats. 

What can be used as a substitute for nuoc mam?

There really isn’t a great substitute for nuoc mam as it melds a few simple ingredients to make a delicious, complex sauce. Nuoc mam at the heart of it is made with fish sauce and lime juice that is sweetened with sugar that could potentially be used as separate ingredients with a dish.

Different Ways to Use Nuoc Mam

Having nuoc mam ready and on hand makes it a wonderful condiment to any of these popular ways to use nuoc mam. This includes:

• Vietnamese spring rolls
• Vietnamese egg rolls
• Grilled meats
• Vermicelli bowls
• Banh Xeo
• Banh Cuon
• Salad Dressing
• Banh Tet

I’ve gone ahead linked my favorite recipes that you can try below. 

Different Ways to Use Nuoc Mam

Nuoc mam is a delicious recipe that combines chiles, lime, sweet, and sour into a delicious sauce that can be used both as a vinagrette dressing or as a dipping sauce in a variety of cuisines. Here are a few different ways you can use Nuoc Mam.

Authentic Vietnamese Egg Rolls

This authentic Vietnamese egg roll recipe (cha gio) is made of heavenly, delicious ingredients for its filling that is wrapped and contained a deep-fried, smooth and crispy sheet of rice paper that is absolutely divine. With the filling containing of ground pork, jimica, shrimp, crab meat, shredded carrots and bean noodles, this deep-fried wrapper is utterly delicious.

Get the Recipe

Banh Xeo - Authentic Vietnamese Crepe Recipe

Banh Xeo is a delicious Vietnamese cuisine that melds together the flavor of a Vietnamese rice pancake crepe with shrimp, pork belly, bean sprouts, herbs and the ever popular nuoc mam. This sizzling cake is absolute perfection!

Get the Recipe

Vietnamese Banh Tet Recipe - Sticky Rice Cake

During the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, bánh tét can usually be found in any house during the months January and February leading into the holiday festivities. I'm going to share with you an easy and delicious recipe for banh tet that you can make right at home any time of year!

Get the Recipe

Authentic Vietnamese Banh Uot Recipe

Vietnamese Banh Uot is a delicious, steamed and rolled crepe that is filled with lightly seasoned minced pork and wood ear mushrooms. They are also known as Vietnamese Stuffed Rice Pancakes. If you are craving some, the good news is that you can make it right at home!

Get the Recipe

Easy Authentic Vietnamese Spring Rolls

Fresh, cold Vietnamese spring rolls that are delicious and include herbs, vermicelli noodles, and rice paper.

Get the Recipe

Instant Pot Banh Tet Recipe

Delicious and savory Instant Pot Banh Tet Recipe that is quicky and easy to make at home. This is an authentic Vietnamese recipe for the savory rice cake that is often used to celebrate the Lunar New Year called Tet.

Get the Recipe