Home Food & Receipts Which Pig’s Intestines Are Best for Sewing? A Crunchy Delicacy.

Food & Receipts

Which Pig’s Intestines Are Best for Sewing? A Crunchy Delicacy.

20 May, 2025

Pork intestine dishes are a delicacy in Vietnamese cuisine, but not all pork intestines are created equal. A popular folk riddle reveals the secret to choosing the best intestines for a crispy and tasty dish: “Which pig has a ‘se dieu’ intestine?” This riddle not only provides entertainment but also holds the key to selecting the perfect set of intestines. Let’s unravel the answer and discover the art of boiling intestines to achieve that desirable crispiness and texture, just like the street vendors do.

Unraveling the Riddle: Which Pig Has the “Se Dieu” Intestine?

1. Unraveling the “Se Dieu” Intestine Riddle

The answer lies in the feeding and rearing of the pig: “A pig fed with natural food like vegetables and grains, without growth enhancers, will yield the ‘se dieu’ intestine.”

What Does “Se Dieu” Intestine Mean?

This folk expression refers to the small intestine of a pig that is tightly packed, firm, and slender like a pipe.
When you squeeze the small intestine, it feels firm, not hollow and bloated like a balloon. That’s the hallmark of a “se dieu” intestine.
When boiled, this type of intestine turns crispy and fragrant, without being tough or emitting any unpleasant odors.

Characteristics of a Pig with Delicious Intestines:

Longer rearing period, fed with natural food like vegetables and grains, without growth enhancers.
Firm meat, thick skin, and moderate fat content.
The intestines, when freshly cut, have a light pink color and are free from slime and any fishy odor.

2. The Art of Boiling Intestines to Perfection

Ingredients Required:

Small intestine (choose the section that is slender, firm, and uniform).
Ginger, lemon or vinegar.
Salt, rice wine.
Shallots, lemon leaves (optional).

Step 1: Clean the Small Intestine

This crucial step determines the flavor of the dish. Here’s how to clean it properly:

Use salt and lemon juice (or vinegar) to thoroughly squeeze and clean the inside and outside of the intestine 2-3 times to remove slime and odor.
Turn the intestine inside out to rinse away any remaining mucus.
Optionally, use rice wine and crushed ginger for the final rinse to disinfect and enhance the aroma.

Step 2: Boil the Intestine to Perfection

Here’s the correct way to boil the intestine:

Boil a pot of water with a few slices of ginger, a crushed shallot, and a teaspoon of salt.
Add the intestine to the pot once the water is already boiling (avoid adding it to cold water).
Boil for 5-7 minutes. When the intestine is just cooked, it should feel elastic when pierced with a chopstick.

Avoid overboiling, as it will make the intestine tough and lose its crispiness.

Step 3: Ice Bath

Immediately after removing the intestine from the boiling water, immerse it in a basin of ice-cold water to “shock” it.
This step is crucial for achieving that desirable whiteness, crispiness, and texture without discoloration.

Step 4: Slice and Serve

Cut the intestine into bite-sized rings and arrange them on a plate.
Serve with a dipping sauce made of fermented shrimp paste, mixed with calamansi, chili, and sugar, or fish sauce with chili and garlic. Add chopped lemon leaves for an extra touch if desired.

3. Tips for Choosing the Best Intestines at the Market

Look for small intestines that are uniform in size, without any bloating, and free from slime.
When squeezed, they should feel elastic, not soft and flabby.
There should be no unpleasant odors or fishy smells.
The best intestines have a light pinkish-white color, not a dark or dull shade.

The folk riddle, “Which pig has a ‘se dieu’ intestine?” is not just a clever saying but a valuable guide for discerning foodies. To create the perfect boiled intestine dish, you need to know how to select the right intestines, clean them properly, and boil them using the correct technique. With these tips, you’ll be able to replicate the delicious, crispy, and tender texture of street vendor intestines in your own kitchen.