Fact: Gỏi ngó sen is frequently favored at weddings, festive events, and family reunions in Vietnam.
Gỏi Ngó Sen: Basic Information
Pronunciation
/Goy ngo sen/
Alternative Name(s)
Nộm ngó sen
Dish Type
Salads
Course
Appetizer, Salad
Mealtime
Lunch, Dinner
Gỏi Ngó Sen: Origin and Region
Origin
Vietnam
Continent’s Region
Southeast Asia
Country’s Region
Nationwide Origin
Associated Region
Unspecified
Popular Gỏi Ngó Sen Variations
Gỏi Tôm Thịt Ngó Sen
This salad is a mix of boiled shrimp and pork, combined with pickled vegetables and fresh herbs. It features the unique texture of lotus stem and is often served with a Vietnamese fish sauce dipping sauce.
Gỏi Ngó Sen Hải Sản
This seafood version features lotus stem, fresh shrimp, fresh squid, carrot, Vietnamese mint, other herbs, garlic, lemon, chili, peanuts, fried onions, vinegar, and seasoning with fish sauce, sugar.
Gỏi Ngó Sen Chay
The vegetarian variant uses lotus stem, carrots, cucumber, peanuts, various herbs, vegetarian shrimp crackers, fried tofu, and seasoning with sugar, chili, lemon, salt, cilantro, and sesame.
Gỏi Ngó Sen: Ingredients and Preparation
Main Ingredients
Lotus stems, extra vegetables (like carrots and onions), meat (like shrimp or pork), and herbs
Main Cooking Method
Tossing
Preparation Process
Mixing boiled ingredients with herbs and dressing
Gỏi Ngó Sen: A Deep Dive
Cultural Significance
Popular in Vietnamese festivals and gatherings
Taste
Sweet, sour, savory
Texture
Crunchy (lotus stems), varied (other ingredients)
Aroma
Fresh, aromatic herbs
Color
Green, white, with hints of pink or red
Serving Style
On a plate
Serving Temperature
At room temperature
Accompaniment
Often eaten alone or with bánh phồng tôm (Vietnamese crispy prawn cracker)
Occasions
Weddings, festivals
Seasons
Year-round
Special Diets
Gluten-free
Calories
286 calories, according to data of MyFitnessPal for 1 plate of gỏi ngó sen
Popularity
Vietnam
Popular Similar Dishes
Gỏi
Gỏi Cá
Gỏi Gà
Gỏi Tôm Thịt
Popular Dining Area
Street vendors, restaurants, households
Gỏi ngó sen is a traditional Vietnamese salad with lotus stem as its main ingredient.
This salad is known for its versatility, as it doesn’t have a fixed recipe. Common ingredients often include shrimp, onions, carrots, pork belly, vinegar, sugar, mint, shallots, and peanuts.
The dressing for gỏi ngó sen is usually a blend of fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and garlic, contributing a perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and umami flavors. This dressing is tossed with the ingredients, coating them lightly.
Gỏi ngó sen is often served with bánh phồng tôm (Vietnamese prawn rice crackers) and is a popular choice for weddings, festive occasions and family gatherings in Vietnam.
Now, let’s uncover the dish’s unique aspects, explore its alternate styles, weigh the pros and cons, address popular questions, and look at similar dishes.
Key Points
Gỏi ngó sen is characterized by its main ingredient: the tender stems of the lotus plant, known as ngó sen in Vietnamese.
Gỏi ngó sen features a mix of sweet, sour, salty and umami flavors.
Gỏi ngó sen is often featured in weddings, festive events, and family reunions.
Below is a guide to the renowned types of gỏi ngó sen and their distinct features:
Gỏi Tôm Thịt Ngó Sen
This salad is a mix of boiled shrimp and pork, combined with pickled vegetables and fresh herbs. It features the unique texture of lotus stem and is often served with a Vietnamese fish sauce dipping sauce.
Gỏi Ngó Sen Chay
The vegetarian variant uses lotus stem, carrots, cucumber, peanuts, various herbs, vegetarian shrimp crackers, fried tofu, and seasoning with sugar, chili, lemon, salt, cilantro, and sesame.
Gỏi Ngó Sen Hải Sản
This seafood version features lotus stem, fresh shrimp, fresh squid, carrot, Vietnamese mint, other herbs, garlic, lemon, chili, peanuts, fried onions, vinegar, and seasoning with fish sauce, sugar.
While each variation of gỏi ngó sen offers a unique taste and texture, assessing their pros and cons can help in choosing the one best suited to individual preferences and dietary needs.
Pros and Cons of Eating Gỏi Ngó Sen
Let’s take a balanced look at the strengths and weaknesses of gỏi ngó sen:
Pros
Nutritional Value: Lotus stems are rich in nutrients, including fiber, vitamins (especially vitamin C), and minerals like potassium and magnesium. This makes the salad a healthy choice.
Dietary Flexibility: It’s adaptable for different diets, with the option to include or exclude certain ingredients like shrimp or pork for vegetarians.
Refreshing Taste: The combination of fresh herbs, lotus stems, and other ingredients offers a refreshing and unique taste, perfect for hot weather or as a palate cleanser.
Cultural Experience: Eating traditional dishes like Gỏi Ngó Sen can be a delightful way to experience Vietnamese culture and cuisine.
Cons
Allergic Reactions: For people allergic to seafood or specific ingredients commonly used in this salad, such as peanuts, it might not be a suitable option.
Availability of Ingredients: In some areas, especially outside Southeast Asia, finding fresh lotus stems and certain Vietnamese herbs can be challenging.
Preparation Time: The preparation of Gỏi Ngó Sen can be somewhat time-consuming, as it often requires meticulous slicing of ingredients and careful balancing of flavors.
Additionally, be sure to check out the frequently asked questions.
Gỏi Ngó Sen FAQs
Yes, it’s suitable for various diets as it’s low in calories and can be adapted to be vegetarian or vegan. The use of fresh ingredients makes it a healthy choice for most diets.
While Gỏi Ngó Sen is best enjoyed fresh, some elements can be prepared in advance. However, it’s recommended to mix the ingredients close to serving time to maintain freshness and crunch.
Absolutely, you can adjust the spiciness to your preference by adding more or less chili pepper or chili sauce.
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.
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
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.