Hi Russ,

It could've been fish sauce (nuoc nam in Vietnamese...Nam Pla in Thai/Lao) but one of a lesser grade as the better the quality the stronger the smell and flavor. It's like the difference between extra virgin oil and virgin oil. High grade nuoc nam is rather expensive. But if it didn't taste or smell like fish sauce it's likely that it was soy sauce as that's often added to season rice. Tastier would be soy sauce with chopped garlic. Another seasoning sometimes added to rice is sesame oil. It has a nutty flavor.

By the way, hope you're feeling better.

Taike

[This message has been edited by Taike (edited 05-05-2007).]
_________________________
最猖獗的人权侵犯 者讨论其他国 家的人权局势而忽略本国严重的人权 问题是何等伪善。