Garlicky, tangy, subtly sweet and spicy dipping sauce for any seafood served raw, steamed, boiled, or grilled. Thai hot sauce is one of the authentic recipes that I discovered in Thailand. This sauce may be in minutes with minimal technique and equipment.

What is Thai Seafood Sauce (Nam Jim seafood)?

Thai Seafood Sauce (Nam Jim seafood) is a condiment typically served for seafood dishes in Thai cuisine. It typically includes ingredients such as chilies, garlic, sugar, cilantro, lime juice, and fish sauce. Thai Seafood Sauce has a combination of garlicky, tangy, slightly sweet, spicy, and umami flavors. For a dipping sauce that has similar flavors but is not as spicy, use my Vietnamese Dipping Sauce Recipe!

What are some variations of Thai Hot Sauce?

• Nam Jim Seafood: A mixture of birds eye chili, garlic, lime juice, palm sugar, and fish sauce. I recommend using it as a dipping sauce for seafood or as a marinade. You may also make this sauce with green chilies and green peppers.
• Nam Jim Talay: A sweeter and milder version of Nam Jim Seafood.
• Sweet Chili Sauce: A popular sauce made from chili, vinegar, sugar, and garlic. Its consistency is thick from starches and sugar. This pairs best with fried or pan-fried foods such as egg rolls, fried chicken wings, or dumplings.

Why This Works

I visited Thailand for the first time in November of 2022 where I discovered Thai Seafood Sauce. Thailand has always been a destination that I have daydreamed about. I left with a greater appreciation and understanding of its cuisine. There are over 45 ingredients that encompass basic Thai recipes. You may be unable to source these special ingredients in standard groceries outside of the country. However, the batch that you make will local ingredients will still be delicious. You can make this in minutes with only a food processor or mortar and pestle with minimal preparation.

What is palm sugar?

Palm sugar is derived from the sap of coconut or palmyra palm trees. The sap is boiled into a thick, pale gold, and crumbly dried paste. Authentic palm sugar is dark and dense with a nutty flavor. It is worth noting that, the palm sugar sold outside of Southeast Asia is typically imitation; it is lighter in color and has a smoother texture, often resembling white sugar that has been colored yellow. If you are unable to access imitation or authentic palm sugar, you may use white granulated sugar.

What are birds eye chilies?

Bird’s Eye Chilies (Thai chilies, bird chilies) are small but extremely hot chili peppers originating from Southeast Asia. They get their name from their small size and bright red color resembling the eyes of a bird. These chilies are commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisines such as Thai, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Cambodian. Despite their small size, they are hotter than jalapeños and Serrano peppers. Bird’s Eye Chilies are available in both red and green colors.

What is fish sauce?

Fish sauce (nuoc mam) is a staple in Southeast Asian cuisine and is known for its dark brown, clear appearance. This fermented liquid seasoning is made from fish and is characterized by its strong, pungent aroma. It has a distinct taste that is a blend of sweet, salty, and slightly briny flavors.

How do I buy fish sauce (nuoc mam)?

With many different brands available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right nuoc mam. However, my Southeast Asian grandmother prefers the Three Crabs Brand pictured below which is reputable. Please note that there may be brands that have very similar names that are of poorer quality. If a reputable brand that you recognize is unavailable to you, consider the following:

• Read the ingredients: Look for a high percentage of anchovy extract and salt, as this is an indication of high quality. Some lower-quality fish sauces contain added sugars, preservatives, and artificial flavors.
• Consider the color: Fish sauce should be amber-brown in color and relatively clear. If the sauce is very dark, it may indicate over-processing or the addition of caramel color.
• Choose a reputable brand: Look for well-established brands with a proven track record of producing high-quality fish sauce. You can also ask for recommendations from friends or family who have used fish sauce before.

How is fish sauce used?

In cooking, fish sauce is used to add saltiness and a rich umami flavor to dishes. It is commonly used as a seasoning in pho broth, as a dipping sauce in Vietnam, in marinades and sauces for Thai cuisine, and to enhance the flavor of various dishes.

Can I substitute out the cilantro in this recipe?

Cilantro (coriander) is a herb that has a bright, slightly citrusy flavor with hints of sage. In my opinion, the best way to use cilantro is to garnish dishes raw. For best results, use cilantro to replicate the flavor of Thai seafood sauce.

Thai Hot Sauce

Garlicky, tangy, subtly sweet and spicy dipping sauce for any seafood served raw, steamed, boiled, or grilled.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Total Time 5 mins

Course Sauce

Cuisine Asian, Thai

Ingredients

  

• 6 red bird’s eye chilies
• 1 red Serrano chili
• 6 strands cilantro
• 5 cloves garlic trimmed, peeled
• 3 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 lime juiced
• 1 tbsp white granulated sugar or palm sugar
• 1 tbsp water

Instructions

 

• Food Processor | Add all ingredients into a food processor. Blitz on high speed for 20 seconds. Store in jars and refrigerate for up to 10 days.
• OR
• Mortar and Pestle | Add the chilies, cilantro, garlic, and sugar into the mortar. Pound with the pestle until paste-like. Transfer the paste into a bowl. Add in the fish sauce, lime juice, and water. Mix until uniform. Store in jars and refrigerate for up to 10 days.

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What is fish sauce?

Fish sauce (nuoc mam) is a staple in Southeast Asian cuisine and is known for its dark brown, clear appearance. This fermented liquid seasoning is made from fish and is characterized by its strong, pungent aroma. It has a distinct taste that is a blend of sweet, salty, and slightly briny flavors.

How do I buy fish sauce (nuoc mam)?

With many different brands available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right nuoc mam. However, my Southeast Asian grandmother prefers the Three Crabs Brand pictured below which is reputable. Please note that there may be brands that have very similar names that are of poorer quality. If a reputable brand that you recognize is unavailable to you, consider the following:

• Read the ingredients: Look for a high percentage of anchovy extract and salt, as this is an indication of high quality. Some lower-quality fish sauces contain added sugars, preservatives, and artificial flavors.
• Consider the color: Fish sauce should be amber-brown in color and relatively clear. If the sauce is very dark, it may indicate over-processing or the addition of caramel color.
• Choose a reputable brand: Look for well-established brands with a proven track record of producing high-quality fish sauce. You can also ask for recommendations from friends or family who have used fish sauce before.

How is fish sauce used?

In cooking, fish sauce is used to add saltiness and a rich umami flavor to dishes. It is commonly used as a seasoning in pho broth, as a dipping sauce in Vietnam, in marinades and sauces for Thai cuisine, and to enhance the flavor of various dishes.

What is fish sauce?

Fish sauce (nuoc mam) is a staple in Southeast Asian cuisine and is known for its dark brown, clear appearance. This fermented liquid seasoning is made from fish and is characterized by its strong, pungent aroma. It has a distinct taste that is a blend of sweet, salty, and slightly briny flavors.

How do I buy fish sauce (nuoc mam)?

With many different brands available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right nuoc mam. However, my Southeast Asian grandmother prefers the Three Crabs Brand pictured below which is reputable. Please note that there may be brands that have very similar names that are of poorer quality. If a reputable brand that you recognize is unavailable to you, consider the following:

• Read the ingredients: Look for a high percentage of anchovy extract and salt, as this is an indication of high quality. Some lower-quality fish sauces contain added sugars, preservatives, and artificial flavors.
• Consider the color: Fish sauce should be amber-brown in color and relatively clear. If the sauce is very dark, it may indicate over-processing or the addition of caramel color.
• Choose a reputable brand: Look for well-established brands with a proven track record of producing high-quality fish sauce. You can also ask for recommendations from friends or family who have used fish sauce before.

How is fish sauce used?

In cooking, fish sauce is used to add saltiness and a rich umami flavor to dishes. It is commonly used as a seasoning in pho broth, as a dipping sauce in Vietnam, in marinades and sauces for Thai cuisine, and to enhance the flavor of various dishes.