(TITC) - American digital media focused on food and drink Tasting Table, shared their thoughts about the sweet and savoury taste of Vietnamese Mắm nêm.
Spicy nước chấm or gingery nước mắm gừng are not outsiders to fans of Vietnamese cuisine. Sauces are typical dipping dishes of Vietnam to pair with homemade noodle dishes or the famous Bánh mì. One of the sauces that go well with spring rolls and other Vietnamese dishes is probably Mắm nêm.
It's not for nothing that Vietnamese sauces are praised by foodies around the world. A typical sauce of Vietnam will be the balance of savoury, sweet, tangy, and spicy flavours all at once. However, according to the Tasting Table, mắm nêm walks a fine line and takes sweet and savoury to a new level.
What is mắm nêm?
Mắm nêm is a popular condiment that can be found across Vietnam, but it is especially popular in the country's Central region. The sauce's signature pungent scent comes from the heavy dose of fermented anchovy sauce. Mắm nêm might fishy smell for those who are unacquainted with this sauce but it's a taste unique to itself.
Mắm nêm (Photo: Vinpearl)
You can find a bottle of mắm nêm in a local Asian specialty grocery store or online retailers via Amazon.
How mắm nêm is made and eaten
To really enjoy a truly mắm nêm with its signature brown colouring and powerful fishy flavour, you should make sure other ingredients balance out the intense savoury with sweetness.
A hefty scoop of canned crushed pineapple is required in this sauce adding a little sugar to sweeten and round the mixture out a bit more as well; garlic and lemongrass are the two aromatics added that combine to create a delightfully nutty and citrusy flavour. For those who prefer some spiciness, adding in some chilli paste can boost the heat to another level. A squirt of lime juice for the final highlight tanginess notes.
Fermented anchovies – one of must-have ingredients to make mắm nêm (Photo: Vinpearl)
This sauce is typically eaten with pork, beef, or grilled meat and summer rolls. If you're not into using it as a dipping sauce, you can use it as a dressing and pour it over noodle dishes or salads of your choice.
So, what are you waiting for? Give it a try and who knows, mắm nêm may be your next favourite sauce.
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