This Traditional Thai Sauce (Prik Nam Pla) is a popular condiment and dipping sauce – perfect for any Thai dish!

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What is Traditional Thai Sauce (Prik Nam Pla)?

Traditional Thai Sauce (Prik Nam Pla) is a popular savoury and tangy Thai condiment served table-side. It’s typically used to drizzle on to top of Pad Kra Pao, Thai fried egg, a variety Thai fried rices, and even Pad Thai.

If you love dipping sauces as much as I do, try out my Sriracha Aioli for a creamy kick to any dish!

Please watch my video, as I walk you through how to make Traditional Thai Sauce (Prik Nam Pla).

Now let’s get Prik Nam Pla-ing!

What does “Prik Nam Pla” mean?

The Prik in Prik Nam Pla means “chilies”. The Nam Pla means “fish sauce”.

Both chili pepper and fish sauce are the most important ingredients to this recipe.

What does Prik Nam Pla taste like?

When you drizzle Prik Nam Pla on top of your favourite Thai dish, you get hit with an umami, spicy, and savoury flavour.

The tanginess from the fresh lime juice adds a punch of refreshing flavour to the dish – waking your tastebuds up. The hint of sugar helps bring all the spicy, savoury, and tanginess together, taming it with a sweet smile.

Ingredients for Prik Nam Pla

Fish sauce

Fish sauce is the body of the sauce – it adds a rich umami and savouriness.

Lime

Freshly squeezed lime juice adds a zesty tang to the otherwise, savoury sauce.

Sugar

Sugar helps balance out the savouriness from the fish sauce, as well as the tanginess from the lime juice.

Garlic

Freshly minced garlic adds a refreshing aroma and texture to the sauce.

Thai chili peppers

Thai chili peppers, also known as bird’s eye chili, packs a spicy punch in the sauce. The vibrant red chilis add a beautiful pop of colour to the sauce.

How to make Prik Nam Pla

1. Add ingredients to bowl, mix until sugar is dissolved.

To a small, dipping sauce bowl, add in the fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, minced garlic, and sliced Thai chili peppers. Mix well until the sugar granules have fully dissolved.

Serve on the side, drizzling it on top of Pad Kra Pao, or your favourite Thai dishes.