"Nam Prik Ong," a popular Northern Thai dish, offers a balanced flavor of sour, sweet, salty, and moderate spiciness. Made easily with minced pork and tomatoes, Thairath Online shares a delicious recipe and method so you can prepare it simply at home.
When discussing Northern Thai dishes beloved across the country, “Nam Prik Ong” is often one of the first names that come to mind. Its flavor is not overly spicy, but well balanced with the sweet-sour taste of tomatoes and the fragrant spice paste, making it easy to enjoy and appealing to all ages.
According to Northern Thai traditional cookbooks, the original Nam Prik Ong recipe uses "thua nao" (fermented soybeans based on local wisdom) as a key ingredient to add aroma and umami flavor. However, nowadays shrimp paste is commonly substituted for convenience and easier sourcing, delivering equally rich and delicious taste.
The key to delicious Nam Prik Ong lies in selecting fresh ingredients. The following are the necessary components:
Pound the soaked dried chilies with cilantro roots, garlic, shallots, and shrimp paste (or fermented soybean) until finely blended into a paste.
Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat, then stir-fry the prepared spice paste until fragrant.
Add minced pork to the pan and stir with the spice paste until it begins to cook. Then add the diced tomatoes and continue stir-frying, adding a little water.
Season with fish sauce and sugar, mix well, then simmer over low heat until the tomatoes soften and the liquid reduces. Adjust the flavor to balance sour, sweet, and salty to your liking. Remove from heat, serve in a bowl, and garnish with chopped green onions and cilantro.
Preparation Making “Nam Prik Ong” is not as difficult as it seems. With ingredients from your kitchen and following simple steps, you can create this flavorful Northern Thai dish to enjoy with your family. Besides being delicious, it also offers the nutritional benefits of tomatoes, its main ingredient. Try this recipe and it will surely satisfy everyone at home.