Dissolve the Sugar in Warm Water
In a small mixing bowl, add 1 tablespoon of sugar.
Pour in 2 tablespoons of warm water.
Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.
This step ensures the sauce has a smooth consistency and the flavors blend evenly.
Add the Fish Sauce and Lime Juice
Pour 3 tablespoons of fish sauce into the bowl.
Add 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice (or kumquat juice).
Stir well to combine.
Mix in the Aromatics
Add the minced garlic, ginger, lemongrass, and chili into the sauce.
Stir well to distribute the aromatics evenly.
Taste and Adjust the Flavors
Now, it’s time to fine-tune the sauce to your preference:
Too salty? Add a little more lime juice or sugar.
Too sour? Add a bit more warm water to mellow the acidity.
Not spicy enough? Add more chopped chilies.
Let the Sauce Rest Before Serving
Let the sauce sit for at least 5-10 minutes before serving.
This allows the flavors to blend and the aromatics to infuse into the sauce.