Vietnamese Dipping Sauce

Fish sauce, made from fermenting anchovies, is considered the mother condiment of Vietnamese cuisine, and is the source of umami for many of our dishes. The simplest way to use it is in nước chấm (which literally means “dipping sauce”). The combination of fish sauce with lime juice, garlic, and chile is known for its perfectly balanced mix of sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and savory flavors. This beloved concoction can be found on every table in Vietnam—and is used as an all-purpose accompanim