Which northern Thai chili dip is made with roasted green chiles, shallots, and garlic? The answer is nam phrik num.
Nam phrik num is a northern Thai chili paste traditionally made by roasting large green chiles, shallots, and garlic, then pounding them together in a mortar. Lime juice, fish sauce, and coriander may be added for acidity, saltiness, and freshness. The roasting gives the dip a smoky, slightly sweet flavor.
It is closely associated with northern Thailand and is commonly served with sticky rice, steamed or raw vegetables, and khaep mu, the region’s crisp pork rinds. The name is sometimes written nam prik noom or nam phrik noon in English transliteration.
A common mix-up is nam phrik ong, another northern Thai specialty. Nam phrik ong is a tomato-and-minced-pork chili relish, while nam phrik num is the green, roasted-chile dip. Other nam phrik varieties can use dried chilies, shrimp paste, fish, or tamarind, so “nam phrik” by itself describes a broad family rather than one recipe.