Giò Thủ: A Comprehensive Overview

Fact: Giò thủ has an adhesive nature, so it should never be reheated as it will lose its adhesive properties.

Giò Thủ: Basic Information

Pronunciation

gio thoo

Alternative Name(s)

Giò tai, giò xào

Dish Type

Savory jelly dishes

Course

Appetizer

Mealtime

Anytime

Popular Variations

Vegetarian Giò Thủ

Giò Thủ: Origin and Region

Origin

Vietnam

Continent’s Region

Southeast Asia

Country’s Region

Northern Vietnam

Associated Region

Unspecified

Giò Thủ: Ingredients and Preparation

Main Ingredients

Pork head meat (e.g., ears, snout, tongue, and cheek)

Main Cooking Method

Sautéing

Preparation Process

Marinating sliced pork head meat with seasonings, sautéing with mushrooms until sticky, and then compressing in banana leaves or molds to form a firm sausage.

Giò Thủ: A Deep Dive

Cultural Significance

A traditional Vietnamese sausage normally enjoyed during Tết or other festive occasions

Taste

Savory

Texture

Chewy and crunchy

Aroma

Mild

Color

Typically transparent with dots of pepper and pork meat

Serving Style

In slices

Serving Temperature

At room temperature or slightly chilled

Accompaniment

Commonly enjoyed with Vietnamese bread or as a part of a larger meal with other traditional dishes (like bánh chưng, chả lụa).

Occasions

New Year, festivals

Seasons

Year-round, spring

Special Diets

Gluten-free

Calories

120 calories, according to data of MyFitnessPal for 56 grams of sliced gio thu head cheese

Popularity

Vietnam

Popular Similar Dishes

Aspic
Head Cheese

Popular Dining Area

Households and restaurants in Vietnam

Giò thủ, also known as giò tai or giò xào, is a Vietnamese food originating from Northern Vietnam. In English, it is called Vietnamese head cheese.

Overall, giò thủ is a type of cold cut made by sautéing pork head meat (e.g., ears, snout, tongue, and cheek).

Giò thủ also includes other components like black fungus, black peppercorns, fish sauce, garlic, and shallots.

The natural gelatin from the head’s organs binds the head cheese, giving it a chewy and crunchy texture.

For vegetarians, giò thủ can be made with mushroom, tofu, and agar-agar or vegetarian gelatin.

People typically enjoy giò thủ cold, often as a charcuterie during Tết (Vietnamese New Year), accompanied by soy sauce and chili peppers for dipping.

To learn more about the preparation of giò thủ, its advantages and disadvantages, frequently asked questions, and related dishes, please refer to the following sections for deeper insights.

Key Points

Giò thủ, also recognized as giò tai or giò xào, hails from Northern Vietnam.
Giò thủ is crafted from sautéing various parts of the pork head, offering a chewy-crispy texture.
A natural gelatin derived from the head’s organs acts as a binding agent.
There is a version of giò thủ for vegetarian or vegan diets.
Giò thủ is traditionally savored cold, and it often graces the table during Tết (Vietnamese New Year) festivities.

How To Make Giò Thủ?

Now, let’s discover the secrets of crafting giò thủ at home with a concise guide with three key steps.

Step 1: Preparing Ingredients

Slice pork head meat into small pieces and mix with other ingredients and seasonings, then marinate for a period to allow flavors to infuse.

Step 2: Cooking Ingredients

Sauté the marinated meat until it becomes sticky and releases some fat. Then add mushrooms and fungus, cooking further until all ingredients are well combined.

Step 3: Forming the Sausage

Let the cooked meat mixture cool slightly, then transfer it to banana leaves or inox or aluminum molds. Compress tightly to form a dense structure so the result is firm after unmolding.

Once you have mastered making giỏ thủ, it would be better choosing ideal delicacies to savor with.

What Are Dishes That Giò Thủ Can Pair with?

As a part of Vietnamese meal during Tết holiday, giò thủ can go with below delights:

Chả Giò

Crispy rolls filled with a mixture of meats, shrimp, and vegetables, deep-fried to a golden brown.

Bánh Chưng

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

Keep reading to know some advantages and disadvantages of savoring this Vietnamese head cheese.

Pros and Cons of Eating Giò Thủ

Are you interested in knowing the upsides and downsides of giò thủ? Check the below table for more details.

Pros

Rich Flavor and Texture: Offers a combination of savory flavors and varying textures from different components.
Cultural Significance: An integral food during Tet.
Nutrient-rich: Contains proteins and potentially beneficial fats from various parts of the pig’s head.

Cons

Not Suitable for All Diets: Not appropriate for vegetarians, vegans, or those avoiding pork.

Next, don’t forget to give below short questions and answers to understand more about this head cheese of Vietnam.

Giò Thủ FAQs

Yes, it can be made at home, though the process is time-consuming and requires specific ingredients and techniques.

Giò thủ can be rich in protein but also high in cholesterol and fat due to the use of pig head parts. Its consumption should be moderate.

While traditional Giò Thủ is meat-based, vegetarian versions can be made using plant-based gelatin substitutes, mushrooms, and tofu to mimic the texture and flavor of the original version.

Explore 9 Delicious Dishes That Start With the Letter G

Explore Most Popular Vietnamese Dishes

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.