Nem Lụi
Grilled Lemongrass Pork Skewers
Fragrant grilled pork skewers wrapped around lemongrass stalks, served with fresh herbs, rice paper, and a rich dipping sauce.
Other variations:
Nem lụi Huế, Nem lụi Đà Nẵng, Nem lụi cuốn bánh tráng, Nem lụi nướng than hoa
Category
Grilled Dish
Region
Central Vietnam
Preparation Time
1h00
Servings
4–5
Difficulty
Medium
About this recipe
Nem Lụi is a specialty of Huế and other central provinces. The pork is seasoned with aromatic spices, then molded onto lemongrass stalks and grilled over charcoal, creating a smoky fragrance. It is traditionally enjoyed as part of a wrap with rice paper, herbs, and vegetables, dipped in a peanut-hoisin sauce.
Ingredients List
500 g ground pork
100 g pork fat (minced)
6–8 lemongrass stalks (trimmed
15 cm long)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
2 shallots (minced)
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp pepper
rice paper
fresh herbs (basil, mint, lettuce)
pickled carrot and daikon
3 tbsp hoisin sauce
2 tbsp peanut butter
1 tbsp sesame seeds
water as needed
Materials & Tools
Grill or charcoal stove
mixing bowls
knife and chopping board
serving platter
mortar and pestle or blender for dipping sauce
Preparation steps
Total Time :
1h00
Active Time :
1h00
Cooking Time
–
Step 1
Make Mixture
Mix ground pork, fat, garlic, shallots, fish sauce, sugar, pepper.
15 min
Step 2
Shape Skewers
Mold pork mixture evenly around lemongrass stalks.
10 min
Step 3
Grill
Grill skewers over charcoal until golden.
20 min
Step 4
Make Sauce
Simmer hoisin, peanut butter, sesame, water until smooth.
10 min
Step 5
Serve
10 min
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Chef’s Tips
Grilling over charcoal enhances the lemongrass aroma; keep pork mixture well-mixed for a cohesive, bouncy texture.
Serving Suggestions
Fresh herbs, rice paper, pickled vegetables, peanut-hoisin dipping sauce
Nutritional info
370 kcal21 g protein16 g fat32 g carbs
You Might Also Like
Bún Thịt Nướng
A refreshing noodle salad with marinated grilled pork, fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and roasted peanuts, served with a sweet-sour fish sauce dressing.
Bò Kho
A fragrant and hearty beef stew braised with lemongrass, star anise, and spices, served with bread, rice noodles, or steamed rice.
Bún Chả Hà Nội
A classic Hanoi dish featuring grilled pork patties and slices served with rice vermicelli, fresh herbs, and a sweet-sour dipping sauce.
Bánh Đa Cua
A specialty from Hai Phong featuring wide brown rice noodles in a rich crab and pork broth, served with fresh greens and fried tofu.
Discover More Vietnamese Recipes
Explore our complete collection of Vietnamese Dishes, from Street Food favorites to traditional family recipes.