Last updated on April 13th, 2024 at 06:17 pm
Prik nam pla is a quick and easy-to-make Thai condiment that can be drizzled over everything from a stir-fry to a bowl of noodles and more.
Meet the easiest condiment to make in the world. Yes this is Thai not Filipino but I will make it anyway because I have grown to like it and made it part of the condiment choice in the kitchen. I like it as much as the Filipino soy sauce and vinegar dip because they both go with any Southeast Asian dish that I make.
If you have been to Thailand or a Thai restaurant, chances are you have seen little pots of prik nam pla. They are put on the table as a condiment or when you order takeout prik nam pla comes in a small packet. So if you have not tried this, you should give it a try. This is the equivalent of salt and pepper in the West, but not a condiment to cook with. It is the condiment that makes everything taste better because it enhances the flavor of stir-fries, soups, noodles, rice and more. It becomes second nature to grab the pot of nam pla prik or prik nam pla to add more than a drop on dishes. Once you know you will never go back.
Sometimes I hear that it is called prik nam pla or nam pla prik. It apparently is the same thing. It is interchangeable but cannot be mistaken with other condiments. It is flavorsome, umami rich and talking about it makes me want to have a bowl of rice and spoon some of the sauce. In addition, it is good with everything no matter what the name is.
When at home I make this because I can make it even with my eyes half closed. The ingredients are prik and nam pla, which means chillies and nam pla which is fish sauce. The other ingredient would be manao or lime and if feeling fancier slices of garlic and shallots are added. But basic prik nam pla is based on the name.
Ingredients
The ingredients and amount only serve as a guide. Feel free to add more or less of every ingredient and use your judgment when making the sauce.
As a guide start with 3:1 ratio. 3 parts fish sauce to 1 part lime juice part lime juice and work from there. If you want it salty add more fish sauce or less if you prefer it less salty.
Fresh is best to use to make this sauce. Some might add a sweetener such as palm sugar or table sugar but I prefer mine without. You can however add to sugar to yours.
Fish sauce – I usually have Thai fish sauce so I cannot recommend any other fish sauces. But if you have an experience with other sauces please leave a comment in the comment section
Chillies – Thai chillies, bird’s eye chillies or any spicy chillies available, remove the seeds for a milder chilli kick
Lime juice – added to balance the saltiness of the fish sauce and the spiciness of the chillies
Garlic slices – This is optional. Leave the garlic out but it enhances the flavor of the sauce. Another optional ingredients are coriander and shallot/s.
How to make nam pla prik
In a clean jar or bowl, pour the fish sauce in, add the roughly chopped chillies, squeezed lime juice and a few slices of garlic. Mix and adjust the acidity and saltiness to your liking.
Add more chillies to taste. Remove the seeds of the chillies for a milder taste.
Let it sit for 10 minutes before use to let the flavors meld.
A quick note, make a little at a time. It is because the fresh ingredient like the lime juice and garlic deteriorate when kept for a long time even though the salty fish sauce keeps longer.
How to use prik nam pla
Serve in a bowl with a serving spoon for every one to spoon this goodness to fried rice, fried egg, stir fries, grilled meat and fish, eggplant omelettes and even fried fish.
Storage
Keep in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to a week. Make sure that the container is sealed so that it does not transfer the fishy smell to other food in the fridge. The sauce will keep longer if onion and garlic are not added.
Watch how to make it.
You might want to take a look at how prik nam pla is put together here.
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Let’s get cooking!
PRIK NAM PLA
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 10 grams chillies roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 clove garlic sliced
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in a bowl.
- Mix to combine.
- Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
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