Muối Mè (Toasted Sesame Peanut Sprinkle) is a beloved, no-fuss vegan condiment in Vietnamese kitchens.
Made with toasted sesame seeds and peanuts, it’s quick to make, lasts a long time, and adds a delightful nutty flavor to rice or sticky rice.
What is Muối Mè?
Muối mè – or muối mè đậu phộng if you want the full name – literally means “sesame salt.” Up North, people call it muối vừng (because vừng is the Northern word for sesame).
In Vietnam, salt isn’t just that plain white stuff for seasoning. We’ve turned it into all sorts of flavorful “muối chấm” that make seafood sparkle and fruits sing:
- Muối ớt xanh – green chili & salt for fresh seafood
- Muối ớt đỏ – red chili & salt, also for seafood
- Muối tiêu chanh – lime pepper salt for seafood and boiled chicken
- Muối tôm – shrimp salt for tropical fruits
- Muối ớt – chili salt, our Vietnamese cousin of Tajín
- Muối ô mai – dried plum salt for fruits
But muối mè plays a different role. It’s not for dipping – it’s for sprinkling. Think of it as Vietnam’s answer to Japanese furikake: a crunchy, nutty topping that can turn a humble bowl of rice into something worth savoring.
Just a few spoonfuls of toasted peanut and sesame over warm sticky rice or earthy brown rice, and suddenly you’ve got a quick, comforting meal.
Ingredients
- Roasted peanuts
- Toasted sesame seeds: You can use either black or white sesame seeds
- Salt
- Granulated sugar
Instructions
Lightly crush the peanuts and sesame seeds – I love doing it with a mortar and pestle, the old-fashioned way, so I can smell that nutty aroma as it’s released. If you’re feeling practical, just toss them into a resealable bag and give them a few whacks with a rolling pin or even an empty bottle.
Making a big batch? Let the food processor or blender do the work, but just pulse briefly – you want texture, not peanut dust.
Stir in the salt and sugar, and that’s it. Keep this golden, fragrant mix in an airtight jar, and you’ll always have a little sprinkle of comfort ready for your next bowl of rice.
A Few Little Tips
- Back home in Vietnam, we often toast the salt first. It’s a small step, but it keeps the flavor bright and helps the muối mè stay fresh for longer.
- In the South, people like to add a pinch of granulated sugar for that gentle sweetness. But in the North – the way my mom and dad make it – it’s all about the pure, savory blend of sesame, peanuts, and salt. So, you can play around with the sugar depending on what makes you happy.
- Peanuts are the classic, but don’t let that stop you from experimenting. Cashews, almonds, walnuts – any nut you love will work. And some days, I skip the sugar altogether and mix in a bit of roasted seaweed for a savory twist that’s just as addictive.
Perfect Pairings for Muối Mè
Muối mè and rice are like old friends – they just belong together. Sprinkle that nutty, savory crunch over a bowl of rice, and suddenly it’s not just food, it’s comfort. Here are some of my favorite pairings:
Pandan Sticky Rice – soft, green, and fragrant with pandan, the kind of scent that makes you close your eyes for a moment.
Gấc Sticky Rice – a feast for the eyes and the taste buds, with its deep red hue and gentle sweetness from gấc, one of Vietnam’s most treasured fruits.
Mung Bean Sticky Rice – a classic that every Vietnamese kid has probably grown up eating.
Instant Pot Sticky Rice – for the days you want tradition without the wait.
Coconut Basmati Rice – light, fluffy, and kissed with tropical coconut aroma.
Coconut Jasmine Rice – soft, fragrant, and so comforting you’ll keep going back for “just one more” spoonful.
Muối mè isn’t just for rice – it’s magic when sprinkled over nước cốt dừa, that rich, sweet coconut sauce we drizzle on so many Vietnamese treats. From bowls of chè to slices of bánh, that extra crunch and nutty aroma turn every bite into a little celebration.
Other Classic Vietnamese Condiments
Muối Mè (Vietnamese Toasted Sesame Peanut Sprinkles)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 4 tbsp roasted peanuts
- 3 tbsp sugar (to your taste)
- ½ tbsp salt (to your taste)
Instructions
- Crush the peanuts and sesame seeds. I like using a pestle and mortar, but you can also put them in a resealable bag and use a rolling pin or bottle to crush them.For a bigger batch, pulse the peanuts and sesame seeds in a food processor or blender briefly.
- Mix in the salt and sugar.
- Store this delicious blend in an airtight jar, ready to sprinkle anytime you want!
