Mắm nêm

Mắm nêm is a traditional dipping sauce made from fermented anchovies. It is much more pungent than other fish sauces – while the regular nước mắm fish sauce is strained in order to exclusively get the salty liquid, mắm nêm uses the whole fish. When served in dishes, mắm nêm is typically mixed with ingredients like sugar, chili, lime juice, pineapple, and garlic. All of the ingredients elevate mắm nêm's aromas and flavors. It's recommended to use this pungent sauce with beef dishes such as bo nuong vi (Vietnamese lemongrass grilled beef).