Our Vietnamese Pork Rub is a paradigm of sweet and savory balance. The slightly caramelized flavor of demerara sugar sits at the center of this seasoning blend; radiating outward from it are the flavors that give it its unique qualities. Sweet, woodsy cinnamon and clove emanate outward with bright ginger. The mild, citrusy pepper lift of coriander carries forward with the deeper citrus of lemongrass. Nutty sesame adds deep flavor and fun crunch, while pepper flakes and black pepper provide sparks of teasing heat. We blend our Vietnamese Pork Rub in small batches in our facility, to ensure that we send out the freshest and most flavorful product possible.

Pork is an irreplaceable staple in Vietnamese cuisine. The geology of the country, with its steep mountain hillsides, is not particularly suited to open grazing for larger animals like cattle. Moreover, cattle are often needed more for their strength as draft animals than as food. Pigs, on the other hand, take much less space to feed and care for and will thrive on a diet that ranges from soybeans to table scraps. On small-holding farms, pigs are often considered a recycling agent because they will eat what is inedible, which factors into overall production costs. More than sixty percent of all the meat that’s eaten in Vietnam is pork, and it’s demonstrated a steady growth in consumption of approximately 3% per year over the last decade.

Tips From Our Kitchen

This rub was formulated with pork in mind, so use it as a rub for a whole tenderloin, spare ribs, or pork chops. Mix with ground pork and sauté for lettuce wraps. Try your hand at a banh mi or make a slow-cooker version of pork phō. But don’t limit this dish to pork; it would be wonderful as a rub for short ribs, or even something a little gamey, like goat. Add to stir-fry for an enormous flavor boost. Toss over sweet butternut squash or sweet potatoes and roast. This would be wonderful tossed over tofu and roasted for a noodle bowl. Add to broth for standard ramen soup and make it next-level delicious.

Blended from demerara sugar, ginger, coriander, clove, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, sesame, black pepper and lemongrass.

Hungry for more information?

Spices and Seasonings of Vietnam
Asian Spices and Seasonings
How to Make Your Own Rub
Holy Hog: Vietnam's Culinary Love Affair with Pigs