Sweet Heat with Heritage

Thai Dang, chef/owner of Chicago’s HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen, showcases fish sauce caramel in one of his most iconic dishes: Crispy Chicken Wings glazed in a rich, sticky blend of fish sauce, sugar, scallions, garlic and chile. “This dish is packed with flavors and textures of Vietnam,” he says. “The sauce is sweet and umami-packed from the fish sauce. The scallions, garlic and chile add depth to the sauce. I love eating this dish with steamed jasmine rice.”

Wings offer a clear entry point for operators in the U.S. ready to test the flavor. At Tâm Tâm in Miami, Tâm Tâm Wings feature fish sauce caramel, fried garlic, lime and cilantro—a build that not only adds a punch of flavor, but also uses the sauce as a functional glaze, acting as an adhesive for crispy garlic bits.

Flavors on the Edge is an ongoing series that explores emerging ingredients poised to become high-impact flavor builders.