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

  • Bun bo cay (chili beef vermicelli)

    Unlike bun mam, bun bo or bun cha, etc.,  bun bo cay in Bac Lieu has an unique taste and special hot chili. The method of cooking bun bo cay is still a secret of Bac...

  • 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...

  • Pau Play Day Cake

    Round sticky rice cake is made from glutinous rice. Glutinous rice is soaked in water about 2 hours and then pours it into the pot. After that, sticky rice will be put into...

  • Enjoy Banh xeo Quang Hoa

    Banh xeo Quang Hoa is one of the most famous specialties in Quang Binh . The vistiors should not miss to try this food when traveling to Quang Binh . 

  • The best street foods in Saigon

    One of the best things that tourists can do when traveling to Saigon is try all the best street foods is not just looking around and visiting the amazing historical...

  • Sapa Thang Co

    “Thang co” is one of the most famous dishes of the H’Mong in the northwest of Vietnam. “Thang co” usually use for festival or special day. On the...

  • Tiet Canh Tom Hum (Lobster blood)

    Vung Tau has a long coastline with 5 beaches so seafood is very diversified as shrimp, crab, snail, lobster, sand crab, fish, etc. One of the most famous food related to...

  • 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. 

  • Bun Mam

    Bun mam is a robust Vietnamese soup that’s packed with contrasting flavours, textures and colours. Pungent, fishy, sweet, sour, dark, vibrant, silky and crunchy, this...

  • Lau ca duoi (Sawfish hot pot)

    Sawfish hot pot has been considered as a famous specialty and represented for Vung Tau cuisine. Sawfish is very delicious and strange that makes tourist can’t forget if...

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