Sweet and sour cucumber relish: the perfect dipping sauce for satays and fried snacks

InFusion
Nov 8
2 min read

Thai sweet and sour cucumber relish nam atjat with cucumber, shallots and red chilli in a light vinegar dressing. — Sweet and sour cucumber relish, or nam atjat (น้ำอาจาด), the perfect sauce for satays and fried snacks.

A staple of Thai cuisine

In Thai cuisine, dipping sauces play an essential role and the sweet and sour cucumber relish is among the most beloved. Known in Thai as nam atjat (น้ำอาจาด), this refreshing sauce perfectly balances the rich flavours of fried dishes. Popular throughout Southeast Asia, it traditionally accompanies satays but also pairs beautifully with both fried and fresh spring rolls. Easy to make and incredibly versatile, it is one of the essentials of any Thai table.

Sweet and sour cucumber relish recipe (serves 2)

Ingredients

1½ tablespoons rice vinegar
1 pinch of salt
4½ tablespoons water
1 teaspoon cane or coconut sugar
10 g shallot, sliced
10 g cucumber, sliced
10 g cayenne pepper, thinly sliced on the diagonal

Preparation

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Let the mixture rest for about 20 minutes so the flavours can blend. Stir gently before serving.

Serving suggestion

Serve this sauce in small bowls alongside your satay skewers, spring rolls or vegetable tempura.

Why choose sweet and sour cucumber relish

This relish offers the perfect balance between acidity, sweetness and freshness. Mild in taste, it suits all palates. Its versatility makes it an ideal companion for a variety of appetisers and light meals. It enhances rich dishes without overpowering them.

Chef’s tip

You can easily adapt the recipe to your taste by adjusting the amount of sugar or adding extra cucumber for a fresher version. A sweeter variant exists where the seasoning is briefly cooked to obtain a slightly syrupy texture. In that case, the vegetables are added once the liquid has cooled.

Learn more about Thai cuisine and our cooking classes

Do you love Thai cuisine?

Come and learn how to prepare this and many other authentic dishes during our private cooking classes on Koh Samui. Find all our courses on the Thai Cooking Classes on Koh Samui page.

Discover more Thai dipping sauces

Looking for more Thai sauces to accompany your dishes? Try these recipes:

Tamarind spicy sauce, perfect for grilled meats
Lemongrass sweet and spicy sauce, ideal for seafood
Sweet chilli sauce, delicious with fried chicken or vegetable spring rolls

Find this recipe in our book

This recipe is featured in our Starters and Snacks eBook, which gathers a selection of easy and authentic Thai appetisers and dips. Each recipe is designed for two people, with clear step-by-step instructions.