Nam Jim Jaew (Isan Dipping Sauce)
Local name: น้ำจิ้มแจ่ว
In short: A quick, smoky northeastern dipping sauce of fish sauce, lime juice, palm sugar, toasted ground rice and chili flakes for grilled meats. It takes about 10 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 25 kcal
Nam jim jaew is the dark, sharp, smoky dipping sauce that arrives with every plate of Isan grilled meat. It has few parts: fish sauce, lime juice and palm sugar for the base, chili flakes and toasted ground rice for heat and body, and shallots and herbs for freshness. Stir it together in a minute and taste as you go, because every cook likes a different balance.
Instructions
- Stir the fish sauce, lime juice, palm sugar and tamarind paste in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves. Warm it for 15 seconds in a microwave if the sugar is slow to melt.
- Add the chili flakes and let the sauce sit for 5 minutes so they soften and release their color.
- Stir in the toasted rice powder, shallots, coriander and spring onion. Add water until the sauce is easy to dip into.
- Taste: it should be salty, sour, lightly sweet and hot. Adjust with more lime, sugar or chili.
- Serve in small bowls within 1 hour, alongside grilled meat and sticky rice.
Tips
- Make the toasted rice powder by dry-roasting raw sticky rice in a pan for 5 minutes until deep golden, then grinding it coarsely. Keep it in a jar.
- For a smokier flavor, toast the chili flakes in a dry pan for 1 minute before using. Take care not to burn them.
Questions and answers
How long does nam jim jaew keep?
The base of fish sauce, lime, sugar and chili keeps for 3 days in the fridge. Add the rice powder, herbs and shallots just before serving.
What do you serve it with?
Grilled pork neck, grilled chicken, steak, sticky rice and raw vegetables. It also goes well with grilled fish.
Can I make it less salty?
Yes. Use 2 tablespoons of fish sauce and add another tablespoon of lime juice and a little water. Taste and adjust.
How long does it take to make Nam Jim Jaew (Isan Dipping Sauce)?
About 10 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Nam Jim Jaew (Isan Dipping Sauce)?
About 25 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 5 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 25 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 750 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
