Nước Chấm
The universal Vietnamese dipping sauce made with fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, water, garlic, and chili, served alongside nearly every Vietnamese dish.
Allergen data cross-referenced against published allergen databases.
Your dietary restrictions
The full allergen breakdown is below. Select your restrictions to see a personalized safety status.
Full allergen breakdown
Ingredients
- fish sauce (Fish)
- lime juice
- sugar
- water
- garlic
- chili
Hidden Ingredients
These ingredients are not typically listed on menus but are present in traditional preparations.
- fish sauce is the base — it is 100% fish ferment
Allergen Breakdown
Dairy-Free
Likely OKNo dairy in nước chấm.
Gluten-Free
Likely OKFish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and water are all gluten-free.
Peanut-Free
Likely OKNo peanuts in standard nước chấm.
Tree Nut-Free
Likely OKNo tree nuts in nước chấm.
Shellfish-Free
Likely OKStandard nước chấm uses fish sauce, not shrimp paste.
Egg-Free
Likely OKNo eggs in nước chấm.
Fish-Free
Likely contains restrictionFish sauce (100% fermented fish) is the primary and defining ingredient.
Soy-Free
Likely OKStandard nước chấm contains no soy.
Sesame-Free
Likely OKSesame is not used in nước chấm.
Vegetarian
Likely contains restrictionMade from fermented fish.
| Restriction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dairy-Free | Likely OK | No dairy in nước chấm. |
| Gluten-Free | Likely OK | Fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and water are all gluten-free. |
| Peanut-Free | Likely OK | No peanuts in standard nước chấm. |
| Tree Nut-Free | Likely OK | No tree nuts in nước chấm. |
| Shellfish-Free | Likely OK | Standard nước chấm uses fish sauce, not shrimp paste. |
| Egg-Free | Likely OK | No eggs in nước chấm. |
| Fish-Free | Likely contains restriction | Fish sauce (100% fermented fish) is the primary and defining ingredient. |
| Soy-Free | Likely OK | Standard nước chấm contains no soy. |
| Sesame-Free | Likely OK | Sesame is not used in nước chấm. |
| Vegetarian | Likely contains restriction | Made from fermented fish. |
Key risk: Nước chấm is not optional in Vietnamese dining — it arrives automatically with every dish as the standard condiment. It is entirely fish sauce-based. Anyone with a fish allergy needs to specifically ask that no sauce be brought to the table, as the default assumption is that everyone receives it.
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Scan a menu nowImportant: Dish Scout is a reference guide, not medical advice. Traditional recipes vary by restaurant, region, and chef. Always verify ingredients with restaurant staff before ordering. When in doubt, don't eat it.