Bamboo shoots are a familiar food to many, used in a variety of delicious dishes. Across Vietnam, there are many tasty varieties of bamboo shoots that you may not have heard of. Join us as we explore the most popular types used in cooking today!
1 Le Bamboo Shoots
Le bamboo shoots are abundant in the forests of the Southeast region, particularly in Dak Lak. This variety is harvested from the tops of le trees, a type of bamboo without thorns. The stalks are flexible and grow in bushes, and the shoots are solid inside. Le bamboo shoots are available from August to October each year.
Le Bamboo Shoots
Once harvested, le bamboo shoots are divided into two types: segmented and tip shoots. They can be processed into dry shoots or used fresh in dishes such as braised pork with bamboo, duck stew with bamboo, and more. Le bamboo shoots offer a subtly sweet and nutty flavor, without any bitterness or astringency.
Estimated price: Segmented shoots: 15,000 VND/kg, Tip shoots: 25,000 VND/kg.
2 Tre Bamboo Shoots
Tre bamboo shoots, also known scientifically as Bambusa vulgaris and Phyllostachys, are a common sight in the countryside across Vietnam. These shoots are the young, aboveground parts of the tre plant, featuring a conical shape with multiple hard rings and short, split ends. Tre bamboo is the general term for various types of bamboo, including forest spiny tre, fatty tre, eight-part tre, and ivory tre, among others.
Tre Bamboo Shoots
In addition to fresh shoots, dried tre bamboo shoots are also available in the market. However, it’s important to note that tre bamboo contains glucoside cyanide, which can be dangerous to human health and may cause nausea and dizziness. Therefore, proper processing is necessary before consumption. Tre bamboo shoots offer a sweet and slightly bitter taste with cooling properties, making them ideal for dishes such as braised pork with bamboo, bamboo and pork stew, and bamboo and duck salad.
Estimated price: 25,000 VND/kg – 55,000 VND/kg.
3 Nứa Bamboo Shoots
Nứa bamboo shoots are predominantly found in the mountainous forests of the Northwest region. They are small, about the size of a thumb or slightly larger, with a white flesh that turns pale yellow when boiled. The season for nứa bamboo shoots typically runs from late July to October.
Nứa Bamboo Shoots
Like other bamboo shoots, nứa bamboo shoots can be enjoyed fresh or dried for extended use and higher market value. Nứa bamboo shoots are versatile and can be prepared in various ways, including stir-fried with meat, stir-fried with offal, cooked in soup, stuffed with meat, or simply boiled and served with dipping sauce.
Estimated price: About 30,000 VND/kg.
4 Vầu Bamboo Shoots
Vầu bamboo shoots are commonly found in the Northwest region, particularly in the latter part of February to early March. They are the young shoots of the vầu plant, featuring a light purple color and fine hairs. Vầu bamboo shoots are typically sold with their outer layers intact, as peeling them beforehand can make them tough and less tasty over time.
Vầu Bamboo Shoots
There are two types of vầu bamboo shoots: sweet and bitter. The bitter variety tends to become more astringent as it ages, and you can distinguish between the two by examining the leaf sheaths. The bitter shoots have interwoven sheaths, while the sweet shoots have smoother and more tapered sheaths. Vầu bamboo shoots are less toxic than tre or nứa bamboo shoots and are often used in dishes such as soup, boiled dishes, or as a wrapper for meat.
Estimated price: 25,000 – 30,000 VND/kg.
5 Lay Bamboo Shoots
Lay bamboo shoots are commonly found in the Northwest region, particularly from July to October. They are more challenging to harvest as they grow deep in the forest and are perishable. Lay bamboo shoots have a pale yellow color, small size, and pointed leaves. The shoots are solid inside and often grow in large clusters along streams and hillsides.
Lay bamboo shoots can be prepared in various ways, including boiling, salad, and stir-frying, but they are most famous for being boiled and served with a dipping sauce.
Lay Bamboo Shoots
Estimated price: 10,000 – 15,000 VND/kg.
6 Sặt Bamboo Shoots
Sặt bamboo shoots are a specialty of the regions of Lao Cai, Yen Bai, and Son La, typically growing from March to April each year. They have a small, slender, and straight shape, similar in size to a sickle handle, with a white flesh. When consumed, sặt bamboo shoots have a slightly bitter taste rather than a sweet one.
Sặt Bamboo Shoots
When purchasing sặt bamboo shoots, look for those with larger tops and moderate lengths, as they offer more flesh and are easier to peel. Sặt bamboo shoots are versatile and can be prepared in various ways, including boiling, stir-frying, grilling, stewing, pickling, or simply enjoying fresh with a dipping sauce.
Estimated price: 30,000 – 50,000 VND/kg.
7 Lồ Ô Bamboo Shoots
Lồ ô bamboo shoots are the young shoots of the lồ ô bamboo plant, scientifically known as Bambusa balcooa, which originates from India. They are commonly found in the mountainous regions of the North, North Central Coast, and Central Highlands.
Lồ Ô Bamboo Shoots
During the rainy season, these shoots are more abundant, featuring a round shape with a diameter of 3-5 cm and a height of about 20-30 cm. The lower part of the shoot tends to be fibrous and tough, so it’s best to choose shoots of moderate length. Lồ ô bamboo shoots have a naturally sweet and crunchy texture, making them ideal for dishes such as grilled dishes, stir-fries, and boiled dishes.
Estimated price: 150,000 – 200,000 VND/kg.
8 Giang Bamboo Shoots
Giang bamboo shoots are another specialty from the mountainous regions of the Northwest. They are harvested from giang plants, a type of bamboo that grows in large clusters in the forest, making them challenging to collect. The season for giang bamboo shoots typically falls around August.
Giang Bamboo Shoots
Giang bamboo shoots have a hard outer shell and a hollow interior with multiple compartments. It’s best to purchase these shoots already peeled. The flesh is thick, yet it has a soft and slightly grainy texture when eaten. While giang bamboo shoots can be used in various dishes, they are particularly well-suited for pickling, making salads, and preparing bamboo shoot salads.
Estimated price: About 100,000 – 200,000 VND/kg.
These are the types of bamboo shoots commonly used as cooking ingredients today. We hope this information will be helpful to you.
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