If you’ve spent time traveling in Thailand then you would have probably noticed their love of dipping sauces. Go to any restaurant, whether it’s a small street stall in the shadows of a condominium, or a gourmet rooftop restaurant in the heart of the city and you will find a dipping sauce served with a meal. They range from super spicy Nam Jim sauces to softer creaming satay sauces, either way they are fantastic accompaniments to the meal.
Sriracha
First off, Sriracha has a really cool story into how it has become loved internationally, so I would highly recommend checking it out on YouTube. The sauce is known for its bold, spicy kick, made from sun-ripened chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and salt. Sriracha pairs well with pretty much anything but it largely used with seafood, grilled meats, and even scrambled eggs to add a fiery touch. Go to any foodie hangout around the world and you’re also guaranteed to find it mixed with mayo on at least one of their appetisers.
Nam Jim
This sauce is versatile and blends fresh chili, garlic, lime juice, fish sauce, and sugar, delivering a nice mix of spicy, sweet, sour, and salty flavors. It’s perfect for enhancing grilled seafood or chicken. It has many variations and you will find each shop makes it slightly different.
Satay Sauce
This creamy, nutty delight is made from peanuts, coconut milk, and a hint of red curry paste. It pairs beautifully with skewered meats like chicken or beef satay, offering a comforting complement to savory grilled flavors.
Nam Pla
A staple in Thai cuisine, Nam Pla is a salty-sour fish sauce mixed with lime juice and chilies. Its an all-purpose dip for anything from pad ka pow to grilled fish. Very rarely will you find a restaurant in Thailand that doesn’t have a pot of Nam Pla on the table.
Nam Jim Gai
With its sweet and mildly spicy flavor, Nam Jim Gai, or sweet chili sauce, is versatile. It’s a great match for fried foods, seafood, and spring rolls, because it adds a syrupy sweetness.
Nam Jim Jeaw
This tangy sauce from Northeast Thailand is a smokey, sweet, and sour blend of fish sauce, lime or tamarind juice, sugar, shallots, and roasted rice. It’s perfect for grilled meats like pork or beef.
Nam Jim Talay
A fiery seafood sauce, Nam Jim Talay is really good! It elevates grilled or steamed seafood dishes with its spicier and more garlicky profile, created from fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic, and chilies.
Nam Prik Noom
This one is a smoky, spicy green chili dip made from roasted green chilies, garlic, and shallots. It’s typically enjoyed with sticky rice and fresh vegetables and fried pork skin.
Nam Phrik Ong
A mild pork-based relish from Northern Thailand, made with minced pork, chili paste, and tomatoes. It provides a combination of salty, sweet, and slightly sour flavors, typically served with sticky rice and vegetables.
