Vietnamese salted, fermented fish

(familiar, endearing or humorous) girl; girlie

A light brown, watery fish sauce used in Vietnamese cookery. / A mixture of this sauce with water, lemon juice, sugar, and various seasonings such as garlic and black pepper.

shrimp paste

bún mắm (Vietnamese dish popular in southern Vietnam)

(literally) fish sauce and salt / (by extension) condiments / (figurative) spice (attribute that makes something appealing, interesting, or engaging)

(literally) to add nước mắm and/or salt / (figurative, idiomatic) to add flair or pizzazz and make more interesting or attractive; to embellish, embroider

a noodle dish from Northern Vietnam consisting of rice vermicelli, fried tofu and fermented shrimp paste topped with a variety of ingredients such as spring rolls, boiled pork, sausages, and fresh herbs and vegetables