Bo la lop

Vietnamese go gaga over two things: grilled meats and wrapping said meats. Bo la lop combines these two things in a harmonious flavourful package.

The dish itself consists of beef marinated in fish sauce, lemongrass and garlic, wrapped in betel leaves, or la lop, and then grilled over hot coals. While the fish sauce and lemongrass gives the beef its distinctive Vietnamese flavour, the betel nut gives it a herbacious, almost peppery taste. It also helps seal in the juices of the meat. you will smell a bo la lop stand before you see it. The betel leaf wrapping produces a tremendous amount of aromatic smoke which is distinctive with its rather medicinal smell mixed with the scent of grilled meat. It’s a pretty heady experience.

 

Depending on the stand, chopped scallions, chopped peanuts and mayonnaise may be sprinkled or poured onto the finished nuggets of wrapped beef. Typical of anything eaten in southern Vietnam, an array of garnishes such as banh hoi (bundles of thin rice vermicelli noodles), assorted herbs, sliced cucumber, unripe banana and some chopped scallions will be available to customise your roll. Served on the side is a small cup of nuoc cham sauce, a blend of fish sauce, sugar, garlic and vinegar.

 

 

The traditional way of eating bo la lop is to grab a piece of lettuce then place some banh hoi on it to help soak up the juices flowing from the wrapped beef, which you put on next. After that, it’s all about your own preference in herbs.

It can also be served as part of a noodle dish (bun bo la lop), in bo bay mon (beef served seven different ways) or wrapped in a fresh spring roll (goi cuon bo la lop).

 

 

Most bo la lop stands also serve mo chai as well. Essentially, this is a meatball wrapped in beef fat, which maintains the moisture of the meat while it cooks — it doubles down on the already fatty pieces of nem and turns them into a cholesterol-laden sphere of delicious goodness.

See more

  • Nem nuong Dalat

    One of the most famous dishes in Dalat that you try is Nem nuong. If you have a chance to try once time, you will find another chance to try it again. 

  • Top 5 Coffee Shops in Hanoi

    For a long time, drinking coffee has become an indispensable habit of Vietnamese people. Coffee is considered the culinary culture of Vietnam. Here are top 5 best Coffee...

  • Tarpon Hotpot (Lau ca khoai)

    Quang Binh cuisine has been well-known for a long time throughout the country by the delicious and rustic food. And tarpon hotpot has satisfied the most discerning...

  • Chinese Black Mushroom

    Sapa has cool temperature which is the invaluable resources that heaven has given to this place. Sapa is the place where Chinese black mushrooms hidden in the forests. Come to...

  • Bo bia

    Bo bia is one of those street snacks that tends to be overlooked by the average travelling street muncher. Maybe it’s due to its similarity in appearance to goi cuon,...

  • Tam bi cake

    Banh tam bi is a specialty and one of the most famous rustic food in Can Tho. This cake is very delicious with the harmonious taste between sweet and saltiness. 

  • Nem Nuong Ninh Hoa

    Talking about the cuisine of Nha Trang, people will surely mention "nem nướng" (girlled nem) Ninh Hoa or Nha Trang. Nem Nuong Nha Trang is also known as  the...

  • Goi ca mai (Mai fish salad)

    Vung Tau is not home to Mai fish salad but when talking about Vung Tau cuisine, people can't not remember about this dish. And Mai fish salad becomes one of the most...

  • Bun Ca

    Thanks to the complex river and canal, Mekong Delta has various fishes which is the main material in bun ca, the most favourite food in Mekong Delta. Bun ca in Mekong...

  • Fructus Crataegi Wine

    Fructus Crataegi wine is unique wine. Fructus Crataegi is soaked very carefully and then they use this water from Fructus Crataegi to make wine. Drinking wine feel like...

Most popular tours

Business info

  • Vietnam Local Guide

  • Address: 18th Floor, VTC Online Tower, 18 Tam Trinh Str.,Hai Ba Trung Dist., Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Email: info@vietnamguider.com
  • Phone: (+84) 0904989890
  • Hotline: (+84) 0904989890