It’s not often that a condiment whizzes across my kitchen counter and really makes me stop and pause. But that’s what happened with this delightful jar from Me’s Way.
This particular sauce of sauce is unique to the city of Huế in Vietnam – Me’s specific recipe being passed down three generations from mothers to daughters; ‘me’ means mother in Vietnamese fact fans. This is a hand crafted affair, made in small batches, which the price reflects. Expect to pay around $25 for an 8oz jars shipped. Me’s Way can be bought direct from their website or also from Amazon here (affiliate link, we get a small referral fee).
Me’s likely differs from most chili sauces you’ve tried before. It sports an almighty punch of umami funk, stemming from the fish sauce that’s central to the sauce. Fish sauce itself is of course fermented anchovies. This undoubtedly makes Me’s a love or hate thing, but me? I love it. Oh I love it.
Me’s doesn’t stop there though, on top of that pungency is a layered complexity of savory fried garlic, a little sugary sweetness and gobs and gobs of heat.
If you’re a fan of South East Asian cuisine, that rich tapestry of sweet and savory, smoky and spicy – dishes like Laotian larb and Vietnamese bun – this will be right up your street adding a bracing dynamic to any dish you add it to.
While your mind might immediately jump to using the sauce as a dipping option, I found that Me’s works great as a marination base. I diluted some with a little vegetable oil and smotheredover country style ribs. A quick hour’s visit in the fridge meant and 15 minutes in the air fryer – meant for a drop dead gorgeous protein for a Vietnamese style rice plate.
I also had some fun mixing Me’s Way with radish, shallot and cucumber as a funky side dish for meaty lingcod that I sautéed slowly with lots and lots of kaffir lime leaves.
Honestly, I can’t imagine many dishes where Me’s Way wouldn’t go well. A friend asked if they could use it on chicken wings – yes. Me’s suggested popcorn. Let me know in the comments how you use yours!
Disclosure: Hot N Saucy sent me this trio of sauces to review, my thoughts and final review of these are of course are my own.
Me’s Way Chili Sauce ingredients and nutrition
Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you! I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC – Utah’s biggest and oldest online food magazine; I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune. I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV shows.
I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have covered the Utah dining scene for the better part of fifteen years. I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand. I started Shop Smart to catalogue my adventures in the grocery store and kitchen. Follow along on Instagram too!