12 month 10, 2026
Listen closely and you'll hear it from the kitchen: the hiss of beef hitting a blazing-hot wok, then the rhythmic shake, shake, shake. That's where the name comes from. "Lúc lắc" means "to shake", and it's exactly how this dish is made.
But Vietnamese shaking beef isn't just another beef stir-fry.
Bold cubes, not thin slices. Chunky pieces of beef are seared fast over fierce heat so the outside caramelises into a glossy, savoury crust while the inside stays juicy and tender.
A little bit of history on your plate. Bò lúc lắc was born in Saigon, where French-style steak met the Vietnamese wok. The result is somewhere between a steak dinner and street food, and it's completely its own thing.
Sweet, savoury, garlicky. A rich glaze of garlic and soy clings to every bite, with sweet softened onion, fresh spring onion and a kick of red chilli.
Hot meets fresh. It's served over crisp lettuce, shredded cabbage and carrot. Wrap a piece of steaming beef in a cool lettuce leaf and you'll understand why Vietnamese people love this dish so much.
Our tip: pair it with jasmine rice or egg fried rice to soak up every drop of that sauce, and a cold Saigon beer or a glass of red wine
Come hungry, leave happy. We'll keep the wok hot for you!
Little Saigon, 03 Church Street, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 2LY
01279 798895
littlesaigonuk.com
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