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) translates to “sesame salt,” and in the North, it’s known as Muối Vừng (vừng being the Northern term for sesame).
In Vietnamese cooking, salt isn’t just for seasoning—it’s been transformed into a variety of flavorful dipping salts that bring out the best in seafood and fruits:
However, Muối Mè (or Muối Vừng) isn’t usually a dip—it’s a crunchy topping for rice, similar to Japanese furikake.
Just a few spoonfuls of this irresistible peanut and sesame blend sprinkled over sticky rice or brown rice, and you’ve got yourself a quick, tasty, and satisfying meal. It’s simple, yet so addictive!
Ingredients
- Roasted peanuts
- Toasted sesame seeds: You can use either black or white sesame seeds
- Salt
- Granulated sugar
Helpful Tips
- In Vietnam, we often use toasted salt, which helps preserve the flavor and keep it fresh longer.
- In the South, a touch of granulated sugar is added to Muối Mè for sweetness, but for the Northern version (as my mom and dad prefer), the blend is purely savory with just salt. So, feel free to adjust the amount of sugar to your taste.
- You can replace peanuts with cashews, almonds, or walnuts—basically any nuts you like. Sometimes, I make a savory version by eliminating the sugar and adding some roasted seaweed.
Perfect Pairings for Muối Mè
Muối Mè is a match made in heaven for all kinds of rice, especially sticky rice. Its nutty, savory crunch adds a delightful touch to these comforting rice dishes:
Pandan Sticky Rice – Fragrant and vibrant with a hint of pandan extract
Gac Sticky Rice – Vibrant in color and rich in flavor, with a hint of natural sweetness from Gấc, a unique and treasured fruit from Vietnam.
Mung Bean Sticky Rice – A traditional favorite of Vietnamese people
Instant Pot Sticky Rice – Quick, easy, and oh-so-satisfying
Coconut Basmati Rice – Light, aromatic, and infused with tropical coconut
Coconut Jasmine Rice – Soft, fluffy, and perfectly fragrant
Muối Mè adds an irresistible crunch and nutty flavor to Nước Cốt Dừa (Vietnamese Sweet Coconut Sauce), the essential finishing touch for so many beloved Vietnamese desserts like Chè and Bánh.
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!
