The offering: The Real Nuoc Grandma Sauce ($19 for a 2-pack)
The story: Made with vinegar, fish sauce, lime juice, chili and garlic, this sauce is what they use at Tran An for dressings and marinades. “It is a staple in Vietnamese cuisine. We put it on basically everything in the restaurant,” says owner Jon Nguyen. “Every grandma and auntie has their own recipe. My mom had it in a Mason jar sitting in the fridge. It was good for a quick fix, and this has been passed down through generations in my family.” How to use: “If you like making fried rice at home, this is the perfect finishing sauce,” says Nguyen. “It just brightens everything up. Outside of rice, I love dipping grilled or fried foods in it, be it chicken or fish. It’s great for basting meats, too.
Where to buy: At Tran An at 215 NE 82 St., Miami. It’s available via Uber Eats and on their website and they ship nationwide. For locals, Nguyen recommends a visit to the restaurant to pick up a bottle.