What Is Vietnamese Beef Jerky (Khô Bò)? A Simple Guide to Vietnam's Favorite Snack
If you grew up Vietnamese, you probably remember a bag of khô bò (beef jerky) being passed around at family parties, on road trips, or next to a cold drink after work. If you are new to it, you are in for a treat: Vietnamese beef jerky tastes very different from the jerky you find at a gas station.
Here is a simple guide to what khô bò is, how it is made, and how to enjoy it.
What is khô bò?
Khô means "dried" and bò means "beef" (it sounds roughly like "kho baw"). Khô bò is beef that is marinated in Vietnamese seasonings and then dried until it is chewy and full of flavor. It is one of the most popular snacks in Vietnam and in Vietnamese communities across the US.
How is it different from American beef jerky?
- Flavor: American jerky is usually smoky and salty. Vietnamese jerky balances sweet, salty, spicy and aromatic in every bite.
- Seasonings: Common ingredients include lemongrass, chili, garlic, ginger, fish sauce and a little sugar. These give khô bò its bright, fragrant taste.
- Texture: Khô bò is often softer and easier to chew than thick American jerky. Some styles are cut into strips, others are shredded (khô bò xé).
- How it is eaten: It is a snack on its own, but it is also a classic topping for green papaya salad (gỏi đu đủ khô bò) and goes great with beer.
Popular styles of Vietnamese jerky
- Traditional beef jerky with lemongrass, chili, garlic and ginger. Savory, fragrant and a great place to start.
- Sweet and spicy beef jerky, a little sweeter with a gentle chili kick. Popular with kids and first-timers.
- Chicken jerky with lime leaves (khô gà lá chanh): shredded chicken tossed with crispy kaffir lime leaves. One of the most addictive Vietnamese snacks of the last decade.
- Butter chicken jerky (khô gà rang bơ): chicken jerky roasted with butter, garlic and chili.
- Pork jerky with garlic or lemongrass, and squid jerky for seafood lovers.
How to eat khô bò
- Straight from the bag as an afternoon snack.
- With a cold drink: khô bò and beer is a classic Vietnamese combo.
- On green papaya salad with herbs, peanuts and a sweet-sour dressing.
- With sticky rice or plain rice for a quick, filling meal.
How to store it
Keep jerky in a cool, dry place in a sealed bag, away from direct sunlight. After opening, close the bag tightly so it stays fresh and does not dry out further. Always follow the storage notes on the package.
Where to buy Vietnamese beef jerky in the US
Bếp Ông Bụi is a small family business in Garden Grove, California, making Vietnamese jerky and snacks since 2018. We ship to every state, usually arriving in 2-5 days by USPS Priority.
Not sure where to start? Try one of these:
- Khô Bò Truyền Thống – Traditional Vietnamese Beef Jerky
- Khô Bò Cay Ngọt – Sweet & Spicy Beef Jerky
- Khô Gà Lá Chanh – Chicken Jerky with Lime Leaves
- Top 3 Best-Sellers Combo, an easy way to try several flavors at once
Questions? Call or text us at 678-392-7154. We are happy to help you pick a flavor.