Nem nuong can be eaten alone as an appetizer or snack, and dipped in Nuoc cham (dipping sauce), or with a peanut dip. Nuoc cham is fish sauce diluted with water and flavored with sugar, lime juice, chopped raw garlic, chopped fresh bird's eye chili (Thai chili)/cayenne pepper, and sometimes with vinegar. The peanut sauce is made of peanut butter and hoisin sauce, flavored with fish sauce and crushed garlic, topped with crushed roasted peanut. It is served with fresh vegetables such as lettuce, julienned pickled vegetables like carrots and white radishes, and fresh herbs like mint and basil.