Sriracha

Sriracha is a condiment and a hot sauce that combines red chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, salt, and sugar. It was first created by a local woman Thanom Chakkapa in Si Racha, Thailand. Originally known as sriraja, the sauce was first prepared with fermented prik chee fah chili peppers and it was typically served as a dipping sauce or a condiment with noodles, seafood, fried rice, spring rolls, or pho. Outside of Asia, the name is almost exclusively associated with the brand Huy Fong Foods, founded by a Vietnamese immigrant David Tan in Los Angeles.

His version is based on jalapeño chili peppers, and in the recent years, it has become a global sensation, earning its place in many restaurants across the United States and Europe. Sriracha is praised for its perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess, which makes it work well with a wide array of dishes.