Chả Lụa

Fact: Chả lụa is one of the most popular foods that appear on the meals during the Tết holiday.

Chả Lụa: Basic Information

Pronunciation

Southern style: cah loo-uh
Northern style: zaw loo-uh

Alternative Name(s)

Giò lụa (in Northern Vietnam) or mu yo (in Thai)

Dish Type

Charcuterie and cheese boards

Course

Appetizer, main course

Mealtime

Anytime

Chả Lụa: Origin and Region

Origin

Vietnam

Continent’s Region

Southeast Asia

Country’s Region

Nationwide Origin

Associated Region

Unspecified

Popular Chả Lụa Variations

Chả Bì

Contains shredded pork skin and other chả lụa’s ingredients; steamed.

Chả Bò

Made with beef.

Chả Chiên

The entire sausage is deep-fried; without the banana leaf wrap.

Chả Quế

Sausage seasoned with powdered cinnamon, then fried.

Chả lụa (in the Southern dialect) or giò lụa (in the Northern dialect) is a beloved Vietnamese sausage made from lean pork and wrapped in banana leaves.

To make chả lụa, locals pound the pork into a paste and add seasonings like fish sauce, pepper, salt, and sugar to turn it into a raw sausage mixture (known as “giò sống” in Vietnamese).

The mixture is tightly wrapped in banana leaves and formed into a roll of chả lụa, then brought to a boil or steamed.

If the wrapping isn’t tight enough, water will seep in, which will spoil the sausage if kept at room temperature.

Once correctly prepared, chả lụa can last about one week at room temperature or up to 4 weeks in the fridge.

Chả lụa, when fried, is referred to as chả chiên. In general, it is a versatile component in various Vietnamese dishes. Chả lụa is commonly sliced and served with bánh cuốn, bún riêu, bánh mì, xôi, and more.

In the reading, you can expand your knowledge about other variants of chả lụa, the pluses and minuses of consuming it, other frequently asked questions, and its similar dishes. Read on to learn more!

Chả Lụa Images

Some sliced chả lụa on a white dish, served with dipping sauce.

Pieces of Vietnamese pork sausage on a white board.

Fried pork sausage with vegetables.

Vietnamese pork roll served with other traditional Vietnamese delicacies.

Sliced chả lụa (Vietnamese pork sausage) placed on a black board.

What Are Variations of Chả Lụa?

Here are four popular variants of chả lụa that you can easily find in Vietnam.

Chả Bì

Contains shredded pork skin and other chả lụa’s ingredients; steamed.

Chả Bò

Made with beef.

Chả Chiên

The entire sausage is deep-fried; without the banana leaf wrap.

Chả Quế

Sausage seasoned with powdered cinnamon, then fried.

In the next part, let’s check out other Vietnamese dishes that are typically served with chả lụa.

What Are Some Common Pairings for Chả Lụa?

Below are some great examples that can complement chả lụa excellently.

Bánh Cuốn

Thin, steamed rice flour rolls filled with minced pork and wood ear mushrooms, often served with fried shallots and a dipping sauce.

Bánh Ướt

Thicker, steamed rice sheets often served with Vietnamese pork sausage, fried shallots, herbs, and sauce; similar to Bánh cuốn but without the filling.

Bún Riêu Cua

Rice vermicelli soup with a tomato broth and crab-based toppings, seasoned with shrimp paste.

Bánh Mì

French-influenced baguette filled with various ingredients, commonly including meats, Vietnamese sausage, vegetables, herbs, and condiments.

Xôi

A sticky rice dish that can be enjoyed as a sweet or savory treat with various toppings.

Giò Thủ

Includes pork head parts, stir-fried with wood ear mushrooms, wrapped, and pressed in leaves.

Bánh Chưng

Glutinous rice cake with pork filling, wrapped in banana leaves with a square shape; traditionally made for the Vietnamese New Year

Bánh Tét

A rice cake made with glutinous rice and filling can be meaty or vegetarian, wrapped in banana leaf; has a cylindrical shape; normally made for the Vietnamese New Year

In the next section, let’s check the good and bad sides of chả lụa.

Pros and Cons of Eating Chả Lụa

Here, you’ll explore the benefits and drawbacks of consuming chả lụa through the following comparative table.

After considering the advantages and disadvantages, don’t miss out on some frequently asked questions to gain more insights into this Vietnamese pork roll.

Chả Lụa FAQs