Vietnamese sausage (gio lua): An exquisite dish wrapped in banana leaves

Contents

There are many delicious Vietnamese sausage recipes (Source: Collected)

Vietnamese sausage, a standout in Vietnamese foods, brings a flavorful culinary experience for visitors to Vietnam. Its savory allure makes it a must-try for those seeking to explore the vibrant flavors of Vietnamese cuisine. In this article, let’s discover the origin, flavors, and variations of Vietnamese sausage to understand Vietnamese culinary traditions better!

1. What is Vietnamese sausage?

Throughout the process of integration and development, the culinary traditions of various countries have been influenced both externally and internally. In the case of Vietnam, the impact of the West is evident in the country’s iconic dish, Vietnamese sausage (gio lua), as it shares some similarities in texture with Western sausages. The most common type of Vietnamese sausage is made by finely grinding pork, combining it with fish sauce, and wrapping it in banana leaves for steaming. This process imparts a fragrant aroma, rich flavor, and tender texture to the sausage.

What is Vietnamese sausage? – A Vietnamese delicacy made from grinding pork (Source: Collected)

Also known as gio lua, this Vietnamese delicacy boasts a sweet fragrance and a chewy texture. It holds a significant place on the festive table during the Tet Holiday and other Vietnamese celebrations. Additionally, it serves as a staple for many daily meals. Apart from being a popular filling for banh mi, Vietnamese pork sausage complements well with rice rolls, steamed rice cakes, sticky rice, and various noodle dishes. The versatility and delight of Vietnamese sausage have made it a prominent dish in Vietnam’s culinary repertoire.

2. How to make Vietnamese sausage?

The process of making gio lua requires precision and skills to ensure a crispy and enticing flavor. The basic ingredients for this dish include pork with a combination of fat and lean meat to prevent dryness, tapioca or cornstarch, fish sauce, sugar, salt, pepper, ice-cold water, banana leaves, and strings for wrapping. In the traditional method, the meat is manually ground and pounded in a mortar for several hours. Today, some machines can replace this manual grinding process.

How to cook Vietnamese sausage? – It requires precision and skills (Source: Collected)

The first step in making gio lua is marinating thinly sliced pork with fish sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper, then letting it sit in the freezer for two hours. Next, the marinated mixture is processed in a grinder, with the addition of some ice water during the grinding process to prevent the machine from overheating. Additional seasonings and tapioca or cornstarch are incorporated to achieve a crispy texture. Once the meat is finely ground, soft banana leaves are used to wrap the mixture, which has been lightly precooked. The wrapped roll is tightly secured with twine then steamed or boiled until fully cooked.

>>> Explore: Vietnamese street food: 15 good-tasting dishes that can be hardly ignored

3. Popular types of Vietnamese sausage

3.1. Vietnamese pork sausage (gio lon)

Vietnamese pork sausage is among must-have Vietnamese New Year’s foods. Beloved in both the northern and southern regions, it is made from two fundamental ingredients: finely ground lean pork mixed with tasty fish sauce, wrapped in banana leaves, and steamed until fully cooked. The delicious result has an ivory-white hue transitioning to a light pink, maintaining a moist and tender texture without any dryness. When unwrapped from the banana leaves, the sausage emanates a distinctive aroma of fresh boiled pork combined, offering a crisp sweetness and rich flavor.

Where to buy Vietnamese sausage cha lua? – Head to Uoc Le Village in Hanoi (Source: Collected)

3.2. Vietnamese beef sausage (gio bo)

Gio bo, or Vietnamese beef sausage, is a delectable specialty from Da Nang. It boasts a crunchy texture, intense flavor, and irresistible fragrance. The essential ingredients for this dish include high-quality beef complemented by aromatic herbs and black pepper. The robust flavor of gio bo is enhanced when paired with pickled vegetables and chili sauce. It can be enjoyed with bun mam nem, rice porridge, or meat-stuffed sandwiches.

Vietnamese beef sausage is attractive with a robust flavor (Source: Collected)

>>> Discover: Vietnamese spring rolls: Explore one of the world’s best foods

3.3. Vietnamese fried sausage (gio xao)

Gio xao is a traditional dish originating from the northern part of the country, a staple in northern households during the Tet Holiday. It is made from various parts of a pig’s head such as the ears, nose, tongue, and cheek, which are thinly sliced, stir-fried until golden, and mixed with lean meat and pork rinds, creating a perfectly cohesive texture. The combination of these savory ingredients and pickled vegetables elevates the taste, making it a delightful dish that is easy to savor.

Gio xao is among must-try Vietnamese sausage recipes (Source: Collected)

4. Other delicious variations of Vietnamese sausage

4.1. Lap xuong

Lap xuong, or dry-cured sausage, is a must-have during Tet, especially in the southern region. This Vietnamese sausage is made from pork intestines, pork fat, lean pork, Mai Que Lo wine, and spices. The ingredients are thoroughly mixed and stuffed into the pork’s intestines, then dried under the sun for 1-5 days. Once dried, the sausage takes on a dull-brick red color, a medium-hard texture, and a balanced sweet and salty taste. Lap xuong Vietnamese sausage is a key ingredient in many delicious Vietnamese dishes such as steamed sticky rice, fried rice, Vietnamese mooncakes, and bo pia.

The delicious Vietnamese sausage lap xuong can be enjoyed in various ways (Source: Collected)

>>> Read more: Vietnamese summer rolls: The simple elegance of Southern cuisine

4.2. Fermented pork roll (nem chua)

Nem chua, or fermented pork roll, is a Vietnamese sausage recipe using pork fermented in banana leaves (or fig leaves). After the finely ground meat is mixed with spices, pork rinds, and toasted rice, it is fermented in banana leaves for 3-5 days. When nem chua is ripe, it can be consumed directly, grilled over charcoal, or served with chili sauce or garlic fish sauce. Nem chua is loved for its crispy texture and can be enjoyed in various creative ways. In some areas of Hanoi such as Hang Bong and Hang Bo streets, nem chua is fried or grilled. In Ho Chi Minh City, nem chua is often made into a salad. In Hai Phong and Nam Dinh, it is rolled with fresh vegetables and dipped in sour and spicy fish sauce.

If you love Vietnamese sausage rolls, don’t miss out on Vietnamese fermented sausage (Source: Collected)

4.3. Vietnamese fried pork roll (cha chien)

Cha chien, or Vietnamese fried pork roll, is a delicious variation of Vietnamese pork sausage, a popular dish in Northern Vietnam. Made by blending lean pork and fat for a softer texture, then incorporating fish sauce and tapioca starch, the mixture is steamed or boiled and deep-fried to golden brown perfection. This results in a crispy outer layer and a soft, flavorful, and juicy interior. Enjoying a piece of cha chien is a delightful experience, especially when paired with sticky rice or banh mi, making it a delicious addition to the festive table during Tet or the regular meal for Vietnamese people.

Cha chien – a popular fried Vietnamese sausage dish for daily meals (Source: Collected)

>>> Check out: Vietnam food tourism: 11 perfect destinations for culinary travel

In addition to various types of Vietnamese sausage, Vietnam offers many other delicious dishes worth savoring. Begin your Vietnam travel journey to famous tourist destinations like Hanoi, Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc to explore the diverse culinary treasures of Vietnam.

While visiting these cities, take the opportunity to unwind at VinWonders Wave Park & Water Park, VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium, VinWonders Nam Hoi An, VinWonders Nha Trang, and VinWonders Phu Quoc. These vibrant entertainment complexes in Vietnam boast amusement parks, theme parks, and water parks with many exhilarating games, lively festivals, and cultural activities, ensuring an unforgettable vacation experience.

Visit VinWonders to capture the most vibrant moments in Vietnam

>>> Book tickets to VinWonders Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Nam Hoi An, VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium, and VinWonders Wave Park & Water Park and say goodbye to stress and sorrow!

Vietnamese sausage stands as a delectable testament to the richness of Vietnamese culinary traditions. Whether enjoyed during festive celebrations or as a daily indulgence, the savory blend of meat and spices encapsulates the essence of Vietnamese gastronomy. The distinctive flavors make Vietnamese sausage a must-try, which will leave a lasting impression on your culinary journey through the diverse offerings of Vietnamese cuisine.