Among emerging chains: Nuoc cham
Nuoc cham is a Vietnamese condiment combining nuoc nam fish sauce with various seasonings, including red chilies, garlic, lime juice, ginger and sugar. Typically served as a dipping sauce with rolls or noodle dishes, nuoc cham is now being featured in new ways, particularly in the appetizer mealpart, where mentions have grown 8.3% over two years. The sauce is currently taking the spotlight on some emerging chain restaurant menus: Saigon Sisters, with three outposts in Chicago, serves nuoc cham with four lunch salads, a pork belly bao and crispy spring rolls.
The Vietnamese fish sauce still has room to develop in the emerging chain arena; we should expect to see more menu mentions initially in growing Asian and noodle concepts.