Nam Pla Prik

A simple table condiment of fish sauce with sliced fresh Thai chilies steeped in it, sometimes with a splash of lime juice, used to add both saltiness and heat at the table.

Flavor Profile

Salty and hot, straightforward and sharp, meant to be added to taste rather than cooked into a dish.

Culinary Uses

Table condiment added to fried rice, noodle dishes, and soups at the diner's discretion for extra heat and salt.

Regional Variations

Some versions add garlic or a touch of sugar; the chili-to-fish-sauce ratio is adjusted freely by the person making it.

Storage

Keeps for weeks at room temperature or refrigerated given the fish sauce's high salt content acting as a preservative.