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San Choy Bow

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San Choy Bow

Looking for a quick and easy dinner that’s bursting with flavour? Look no further than this San Choy Bow recipe, a delightful dish featuring lettuce cups filled with sweet and savoury minced (ground) pork (though you can use chicken instead if you prefer). With just a few simple steps, you can create a meal that’s both delicious and nutritious. This recipe calls for a variety of veggies, making it a great way to use up leftovers from your fridge. Whether you prefer peas, carrots, bean sprouts or something else, you can easily customise this dish to suit your family’s tastes. I like the texture added by vermicelli rice noodles, but feel free to leave them out – it will still be delicious!

Can you make San Choy Bow ahead of time?

The minced (ground) meat mixture for San Choy Bow can be made ahead of time; simply refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave. Not suitable to freeze.

Is San Choy Bow suitable for leftovers?

Yes, San Choy Bow can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave. Not suitable to freeze.

San Choy Bow

San Choy Bow

Author: Nicole
4.8 from 6 votes
“Really yum! Perfect for getting more veg into our kids 😊”
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San Choy Bow is a delicious dinner that’s easy to make and fun to eat. Lettuce cups are filled with a flavoursome minced (ground) pork and veggie mixture. Add vermicelli rice noodles if you like!
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 10 minutes
Total 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

  • 100 g (3½ oz) vermicelli rice noodles (optional)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic
  • 500 g (1 lb) minced (ground) pork or chicken
  • 2 tbsp tamari or all-purpose soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 75 g (½ cup) frozen peas
  • 80 g (½ cup) grated carrot
  • 45 g (½ cup) bean sprouts
  • 220 g (½ lb) water chestnuts, finely chopped (optional)
  • 1 spring onion (scallion), finely sliced, plus extra to garnish
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
To Serve
  • 4 lettuce cups, gem lettuce (pictured) or oak leaf work best
  • 40 g (⅓ cup) crushed peanuts
  • 4 lime wedges
  • 2 red chilli, sliced (optional)

Instructions

  • Prepare the noodles (if using) as per the packet instructions, rinse with cold water, and cut with scissors into small strands. Set aside.
  • Heat the oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
  • Add the pork and cook for 3–4 minutes until browned.
  • Add the tamari (or all-purpose soy sauce), dark soy sauce and brown sugar. Cook for 2 minutes.
  • Add the frozen peas, carrot, bean sprouts and water chestnuts (if using). Cook for 1 minute or until the peas have thawed.
  • Add the rice noodles (if using), spring onion and sesame oil. Stir to combine.
  • Serve the san choy bow heaped in lettuce cups, topped with extra sliced spring onion, crushed peanuts, lime wedges on the side and sliced red chilli, if using.

Nutrition information

Nutrition Facts
San Choy Bow
Amount per Serving
Calories
693
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
41
g
63
%
Saturated Fat
 
12
g
75
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
6
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
20
g
Cholesterol
 
90
mg
30
%
Sodium
 
1165
mg
51
%
Potassium
 
850
mg
24
%
Carbohydrates
 
53
g
18
%
Fiber
 
6
g
25
%
Sugar
 
15
g
17
%
Protein
 
30
g
60
%
Vitamin A
 
4246
IU
85
%
Vitamin C
 
52
mg
63
%
Calcium
 
75
mg
8
%
Iron
 
4
mg
22
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclaimer re gluten-free and dairy-free recipes

Recipe notes

MAKE AHEAD

Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave. Not suitable to freeze.

LEFTOVERS

Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave. Not suitable to freeze.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!
Course entrees, Main Course, starters
Cuisine Asian, Asian-inspired

  1. 5 stars
    I have made this a few times swapping the lettuce for wraps, rice and noodles.

    • That sounds brilliant, Lee! Thanks for sharing and for the rating. 🥰 Nic x

  2. Sorry are the calories correct in this one ?

    • Hi Emma, thank you for pointing this out! Something’s gone wrong here as it seems to be the calories for the whole lot, so needs to be divided by 4. However, that figure of 985 cals still seems high. I’ve done some calculations using another nutritional calculator and it looks as if the cals would be more like 650. However, note that we are in the process of changing over to a new nutrition calculator, so these problems will be resolved soon. Sorry about that, Nic x

  3. 5 stars
    Another dinner winner. Even for my selective vegetarian child!! Sounds of appreciation made from everyone!!

    • I am new to this site. My husband had san Choy bow once at a restaurant and got food poisoning! Last night he loved it and went back for more mince. Today I used the leftover mince for spring rolls absolutely delicious. Perfect for a 43 degree heat wave. Thank you

      • Hi Marea, sorry to hear about your husband’s experience! However, I’m so glad that you enjoyed these san choy bow … I agree, it’s a great recipe for a hot day! Nic x

  4. 5 stars
    Really yum! Perfect for getting more veg into our kids 😊

  5. 5 stars
    This was so easy & delicious. Quick to prepare & cook. I’ll be making this again.

  6. 4 stars
    Love this one, sometimes when pressed for time we use a packet or ready made rice instead of the noodles

  7. 5 stars
    6yo and 10yo both approved! (And the 6yo is hard to impress). Have you thought about adding your videos to YouTube to increase your profits (selfishly I just want to be able to watch you instead of Aphmau)?

    • I am so glad you loved this one as much as we do! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and rate the recipe – It means so much to me! Oooh you must be reading my mind because I’m in the process of migrating all of my videos to Youtube and to each recipe too! 😍

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Disclaimer re gluten-free and dairy-free recipes 

For recipes labelled ‘gluten-free’ or ‘dairy-free’, the ingredients included in the recipe are typically gluten- or dairy-free. However, it is the user’s responsibility to carefully check the ingredient panels on the specific brands of products purchased and used. Simple Home Edit cannot be held responsible for any adverse reactions.