Cambodian Tuk Trey

Name: Cambodian Tuk Trey
Prep time: 10 min
Cuisine: Cambodian
Ingredients: Fish sauce — 60 ml (1/4 cup); Fresh lime juice — 45 ml (3 tbsp); Palm sugar — 40 g (3 tbsp); Warm water — 80 ml (1/3 cup); Garlic cloves, minced — 3; Fresh red chile, minced — 1-2; Roasted peanuts, crushed (optional) — 20 g (2 tbsp)

The Quirky Foodster Team

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10 min

Prep

0 min

Cook

Ingredients

Fish sauce — 60 ml (1/4 cup)
Fresh lime juice — 45 ml (3 tbsp)
Palm sugar — 40 g (3 tbsp)
Warm water — 80 ml (1/3 cup)
Garlic cloves, minced — 3
Fresh red chile, minced — 1-2
Roasted peanuts, crushed (optional) — 20 g (2 tbsp)

Method

Dissolve palm sugar in warm water in a mixing bowl.
Whisk in fish sauce and lime juice.
Stir in minced garlic and chile.
Sprinkle crushed roasted peanuts on top if using.
Taste and adjust the sour-salty-sweet-spicy balance to preference.

Cultural Background: Cambodia's essential fish sauce-based dipping condiment, tuk trey balances fish sauce, lime, sugar, garlic and chile similarly to Vietnamese nuoc cham but with its own distinct proportions, served alongside grilled meats, fish and rice dishes.

Tips: • Palm sugar gives a slightly deeper, more caramel-like sweetness than plain white sugar, characteristic of Cambodian versions of this sauce. • Crushed roasted peanuts are a distinctly Cambodian touch, adding texture not always found in similar Vietnamese or Thai sauces.

Variations: • Add grated green papaya or carrot for a fuller, salad-like version. • Adjust chile quantity substantially to personal taste.

Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 1 week.

Reheating: Not applicable; served cold or at room temperature. Nutrition (per serving) Approx. 20 kcal, 0.4 g protein, 0.5 g fat, 4 g carbohydrate per 15 ml serving.

FAQs: What is tuk trey traditionally served with? Grilled fish and meats, and rice dishes throughout Cambodian cuisine. How is it different from Vietnamese nuoc cham? Tuk trey often includes crushed peanuts and uses palm sugar, giving it a slightly different texture and sweetness profile from its Vietnamese cousin.