Mắm Tôm is a traditional fermented paste made from small marine shrimp and produced by the Vietnamese company Vạn Hoa. The product is prepared from marine shrimp and salt without a complex mixture of additional ingredients. The shrimp are salted and left to ferment naturally so that their proteins gradually break down. This process creates compounds responsible for the paste’s pronounced aroma and full flavor. The finished product has a thick texture and a grayish-purple color characteristic of this type of shrimp paste. Its aroma is strong and distinctly marine. The flavor is intensely salty and rich in umami with a long fermented finish. It can be served as a dipping sauce after being mixed with lime juice, sugar, and chili. It is also used in dishes containing tofu, boiled meat, noodles, soups, and vegetables.