Whenever I visit Vietnam, I’m always on the lookout for something light and refreshing to beat the hot, humid weather.
On summer evenings, when it’s finally cool enough to go outside, my aunts and I head to Turtle Lake (Hồ Con Rùa) in Ho Chi Minh City, where people come together to eat street food, drink, and socialize.
We find a tree stump or small plastic stool to sit on as we wave down one of the many street food vendors selling their specialties.
One of our favorite snacks is a lady who serves Gỏi Đu Đủ Khô Bò from the mini restaurant she built on the back of her bike.
What is Goi Du Du Kho Bo?
Gỏi Đu Đủ Khô Bò is a refreshing Vietnamese salad made with green papaya and beef jerky, topped with roasted peanuts and Thai basil leaves, and dressed in a sweet, vinegary soy sauce.
Each ingredient in this salad combines to create a perfect harmony of flavor and texture.
The thinly sliced, unripe green papaya adds a satisfying crunch. Thai basil leaves and roasted peanuts contribute a fresh aroma and extra crunch, while thinly shredded beef jerky provides a savory protein component that’s simply delicious.
Everything is tossed together in a small plastic bag and handed to you with a pair of chopsticks.
Eating Gỏi Đu Đủ Khô Bò straight from the bag, balanced on a flimsy plastic stool, is all part of the fun of a Vietnamese night out.
Where to Get Vietnamese Jerky?
You can get Vietnamese beef jerky ready to go in San Jose or Sacramento where the epitome of all things Vietnamese in Northern California exists.
In Sacramento, check out Đệ Nhất Khô Bò at 6825 Stockton Blvd.
In San Jose, I like to visit Grand Century Mall at 1111 Story Rd. and stop by Eurasia Delight for all my jerky and dried fruit needs.
Vietnamese-style jerky is typically sweeter than Western beef jerky. While this sweet style isn’t essential for the dish, it’s highly recommended for an authentic Vietnamese flavor.
If you want to try to make your own, I got you too. Here’s my spicy Vietnamese beef jerky recipe. Make this first then try the recipe below.
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Vietnamese Green Papaya & Beef Jerky Salad (Gỏi Đu Đủ Khô Bò)
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
Description
A refreshing Vietnamese green papaya and beef jerky salad, topped with roasted peanuts, Thai basil leaves, and dressed in a sweet, vinegary soy sauce.
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 1/4 cup light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon minced red chili (optional)
Salad
- 1 medium unripe papaya (peel and cut into thin strips)
- 2 cups fresh Thai basil leaves
- 2 cups spicy Vietnamese beef jerky (thinly shredded)
- 1 cup toasted peanuts (chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare the Soy Salad Dressing: For the soy salad dressing, add all the ingredients together in a small bowl and mix until sugar is completely dissolved.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, add papaya and basil, then top with beef jerky and peanuts. Add as much or little of the soy salad dressing as you like. Give it a quick toss before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: side dish, appetizer
- Method: Mix and No-Cook
- Cuisine: asian, vietnamese
