nước mắm đặc

/nɨ́ək mɐ̌m ɗɐ̂k/

thick fish sauce

Tôi thích dùng nước mắm đặc để nấu canh chua.

I like using thick fish sauce to cook sour soup.

informal

A type of Vietnamese fish sauce with a thick, viscous consistency, higher in protein content and stronger umami flavor than regular fish sauce.

Nước mắm đặc thường được dùng trong các món kho hoặc nướng.

Thick fish sauce is often used in braised or grilled dishes.

Mẹ tôi mua nước mắm đặc ở chợ đầu mối.

My mother buys thick fish sauce at the wholesale market.

Thicker than standard nước mắm (fish sauce), often used in cooking rather than as a dipping sauce. May require dilution before use.

Collocations

nước mắm đặc ngondelicious thick fish saucedùng nước mắm đặcuse thick fish saucemua nước mắm đặcbuy thick fish sauce

Synonyms

nước mắm sánh nước mắm cô đặc

Antonyms

nước mắm loãng

Related Phrases

nước mắm nhỉphrase

thin, watery fish sauce

nước mắm nguyên chấtphrase

pure, unadulterated fish sauce

Pro Tip

How to identify thick fish sauce

Thick fish sauce (nước mắm đặc) has a syrupy consistency, similar to soy sauce but darker in color. It should pour slowly and leave a visible trail when drizzled. Avoid bottles labeled 'nước mắm loãng' (thin fish sauce) or 'nước mắm pha' (diluted fish sauce).

Gold Rule

When to use thick vs. thin fish sauce

Use thick fish sauce (nước mắm đặc) for cooking dishes like braised pork (thịt kho), grilled meats, or soups where you want a rich, concentrated flavor. Use thin fish sauce (nước mắm nhỉ) for dipping sauces (nước chấm) or when the recipe calls for a lighter seasoning.

Word Origin

Composed of 'nước' (water/liquid), 'mắm' (fermented fish sauce), and 'đặc' (thick/dense). The term 'nước mắm' itself refers to the traditional Vietnamese condiment made from fermented fish, while 'đặc' specifies the thicker consistency.

Usage Notes

Commonly found in Vietnamese households and markets. Thicker than standard fish sauce, it is prized for its rich, concentrated flavor. Often used in cooking rather than as a condiment. May be labeled as 'nước mắm sánh' or 'nước mắm cô đặc' in stores.

Word Breakdown

nước

water/liquid

root

mắm

fermented fish sauce

root

đặc

thick/dense

adjective

Từ Điển Việt Anh

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