Nem chua (aka som moo) is a fermented pork sausage primarily made of raw pork and shredded pig skin that can be eaten as is or added to fried rice dishes, salads, or rice rolls.
How to Use It
Nem chua (in Vietnamese) and Som Moo(in Lao) have a bit of a garlic kick and are slightly tangy.
Som Moo's literal translation is actually "sour pork" but don't be put off by this, it's definitely an interesting flavor and there's nothing like it out there.Â
This sausage is prized for its unique springy texture. It has a bit of a chew that comes from the shredded pigskin and this ingredient definitely has a very interesting mouth-feel.
This ingredient goes amazing in salads like Nem Khao (crispy rice salad). It has a lightness to it that most meats don't have and provides a lot of flavor to them!
You can also have it as a quick snack but this is definitely an acquired taste if you are eating it as-is without something to balance out the sourness and texture.
These are also fantastic chopped up and added to greens and rolled up in rice rolls.
The tanginess from the pork paired with the basil and the sweet dipping sauce combos up beautifully and makes a nice light snack.
Where to Buy Nem Chua
These are most commonly found in south Asian grocery stores that carry Thai or Vietnamese groceries. They are always in the fridge and there is no substitute for this unique ingredient.
How to Store It
It should always be kept in the fridge and can keep for about 2 weeks.
Recipes that Use Nem Chua (Som Moo)
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