Jeow Som Recipe (Lao Dipping Sauce)
Jeow Som — the quintessential Lao dipping sauce. A thick, pungent, chili-spiked sauce that hits every note at once: spicy, sour, salty, umami, and sweet. One taste and you'll understand why it's called "crack sauce."
This is the recipe for the authentic version — no shortcuts, no substitutions that matter. Fresh garlic, fresh chilies, fresh lime, good fish sauce. That's it.
Ingredients
- White sugar — used to balance the heat and tang in the sauce. Cooking Lao food is all about balancing flavors!
- Fish sauce — a key ingredient in Lao cuisine for its salty, umami richness. For a vegetarian version, simply use a plant-based fish sauce alternative.
- Chilies — Thai Jinda chilies work great; bird's eye chilies will give you extra heat. For a milder sauce, opt for a less spicy chili or remove the seeds.
- Garlic — fresh garlic cloves are a must for the best flavor. Skip powdered garlic!
- Lime — fresh lime juice is crucial for the zesty tang. Avoid bottled lime juice for the best results.
- Coriander — optional, for garnish, if you like a bit of freshness to finish.
How to Make Jeow Som
Step 1
Roughly pound garlic and chilies with a mortar and pestle.
Step 2
Mix in the sugar, fish sauce, and fresh lime juice. Stir well.
Step 3
Once the sugar has fully dissolved, sprinkle the sauce with freshly chopped coriander.
Serving Suggestions
Jeow som is one of the most versatile sauces in Southeast Asian cooking. Here's what it goes with:
- Fresh vegetables like carrots, Thai eggplants, yard long beans, and cucumbers
- Grilled chicken wings or Thai chicken
- Grilled beef — pair with crying tiger steak
- Pla pao (grilled fish) and shrimp lettuce wraps
- Grilled meats like moo yang
- Add a tablespoon to your favorite salads
- Spice up egg dishes
- Thai sticky rice
- Fried tofu
How to Store Leftover Sauce
Jeow som sauce can last for up to a week in the refrigerator when stored correctly. To ensure optimal freshness, transfer the sauce to an airtight container immediately after making it. Always use a clean spoon each time you serve the sauce to help prolong its shelf life.