Nam Prik Num — Northern Green Pepper Relish / น้ำพริกหนุ่ม

Northern Thai (Lanna) — the most-eaten relish in the North; ubiquitous at every Northern Thai table

Nam prik num is the most fundamental of Northern Thai relishes — young (num = young), mild green spur chillies charred whole over flame or in hot coals until blistered and partially softened, then pounded with charred shallots, garlic, and salt into a rough paste. Its colour should be a deep, burnished green-black from the char; its flavour is mildly hot, deeply smoky, and pungently aromatic from the charred alliums. This is the relish that accompanies most Northern Thai grilled meats and is the anchor of the Northern vegetable platter. The technique is simple — the quality is entirely in the sourcing of fresh, mild green chillies and in the completeness of the charring.

Nam prik num's smoky mildness is designed to accompany rather than compete — it provides depth to grilled pork, a dipping sauce for raw vegetables, and a flavour counterpoint to the richness of sticky rice.