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    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Easy Pork Yuk Sung Recipe (Chinese Lettuce Wraps)

    Published: Mar 27, 2023 · Modified: Apr 5, 2023 by Beth Sachs · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    A quick and easy pork Yuk Sung recipe (also known as Chinese lettuce wraps) made with lean pork mince.

    It's tasty, flavourful, and on the table in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights!

    Chinese lettuce wraps on a white plate with lime wedges and chilli.

    The Chinese-inspired recipe makes a nice change from the usual recipes I cook with pork mince such as pork bolognese and slow cooker pork mince ragu.

    It's a great way of introducing kids to Chinese flavours, and they love building their own wraps with the lettuce leaves and choosing what toppings to add.

    👩‍🍳 Love Chinese flavours? Try my easy prawn chow mein next!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
    • 🛒 Ingredient notes
    • 🔪 How to make Yuk Sung
    • 💭 Expert tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ Frequently asked questions
    • 😋 More easy recipes
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!

    • Quick and easy Chinese pork mince recipe.
    • On the table in under 30 minutes.
    • Delicious and tasty Chinese flavours.
    • The Pork mixture can be frozen.

    🛒 Ingredient notes

    Ingredients for yuk sung.

    Pork Mince - use a lean pork mince, or you could swap it for a different minced meat such as chicken or turkey mince.

    Olive Oil - for frying.

    Onion - one medium onion, finely chopped.

    Garlic - 2 fat garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped.

    Ginger - 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger. You could also use the lazy ginger from a jar.

    Carrots - peeled, halved lengthways and chopped.

    Peppers - deseeded and chopped.

    Chinese 5 Spice - a popular seasoning blend used in Chinese cuisine. It's a mix of five ground spices that represent the five primary flavours of Chinese cooking: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami.

    Soy Sauce - a mixture of dark and light soy sauce for the best flavour.

    Oyster Sauce - a popular ingredient in Chinese cooking made from oyster extracts, sugar, salt, water, and cornflour.

    Rice Wine Vinegar - a vinegar made from fermented rice and a staple of Chinese cuisine.

    To serve - little gem lettuce leaves, chopped coriander, spring onions, dry roasted peanuts, lime wedges and sliced red chilli.

    🔪 How to make Yuk Sung

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    One: Heat the oil in a frying pan and cook the onion, garlic and ginger for 4 minutes on a medium-high heat.

    Two: Add the chopped carrots and peppers and continue to cook for a further 3 minutes.

    Three: Add the pork mince and Chinese 5 Spice powder and cook until the pork mince changes colour.

    Four: Mix in the sauce ingredients, turn down the heat, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring often.

    Five: Serve the pork mince in lettuce wraps, topped with dry roasted peanuts, freshly chopped coriander, chopped spring onions, and chopped chilli (optional) with lime wedges on the side.

    Chinese pork yuk sung being made in a red pan.

    💭 Expert tips

    • Prepare and chop all of your ingredients before you start cooking, you could even do this the night before and store them in the fridge.
    • Ensure your lettuce leaves are crisp and fresh. I find little gem lettuces work best as the leaves are small and sturdy.
    • Use turkey mince for a healthier option.

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    The classic way to serve Yuk Sung is in lettuce wraps, but you could also try rice paper wraps too. Place a spoonful of the pork mixture onto a lettuce leaf, sprinkle over your desired toppings, and fold or roll it up like a taco or burrito.

    Chinese  style pork mince in a red pan.

    📖 Variations

    • Add more vegetables such as sliced mushrooms, or chopped courgettes.
    • Instead of serving the Chinese pork mince in lettuce wraps, you could serve it with steamed rice or noodles for a more filling meal.
    • For a veggie version, omit the pork mince and add more veggies, or use Quorn mince or crumbled extra firm tofu. Make sure the Oyster sauce is vegetarian-friendly too.
    • If you prefer your vegetables less chunky, use a mini chopper to chop them more finely. I keep the vegetables larger as I like the crunch and texture it adds to the dish.

    🥡 Storage

    Store - the cooked pork mince mixture can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Reheat - in the microwave, or quickly stir fry again with two tablespoons of water until the pork mince is heated through.

    Freeze - the pork mince mixture can be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before reheating.

    Chinese lettuce wraps on a plate filled with stir-fried pork mince.

    ❓ Frequently asked questions

    What is Yuk Sung?

    Yuk Sung, also known as San Choy Bow, is a quintessential Chinese dish featuring stir-fried minced meat and vegetables nestled in lettuce leaf cups. It can be served as a starter, appetiser or main course.

    Can I use other types of lettuce for this recipe?

    Yes, you can use iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, or even cabbage leaves. Just make sure the leaves are fresh and study enough to hold the pork mince.

    What spices are in Chinese 5 Spice?

    The classic Chinese five-spice blend typically includes the following ingredients:
    Star anise: A star-shaped spice with a strong liquorice-like flavour, contributing to the sweet component of the blend.
    Szechuan peppercorns: These peppercorns have a unique, slightly numbing, and tingling sensation, contributing to the savoury (umami) and slightly bitter aspects.
    Fennel seeds: Fennel seeds have a sweet, anise-like flavour, adding depth to the blend.
    Cloves: These small, nail-shaped buds have a warm, sweet, and slightly bitter taste, contributing to the bitter aspect of the blend.
    Cinnamon: A common spice with a sweet, warm, and slightly spicy flavour that adds a touch of sweetness to the blend.

    Can I make this dish ahead of time?

    While it's best to serve the lettuce wraps fresh, you can prepare the pork filling ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you're ready to serve, reheat the filling and prepare the lettuce wraps and toppings as needed.

    What is a good substitute for rice wine vinegar?

    Japanese Mirin or dry sherry can be used as a substitute

    😋 More easy recipes

    • Chicken Fried Rice
    • Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
    • Gambas Pil Pil
    • Lamb Bolognese
    • Thai Green Beef Curry
    Yuk sung on a plate with peanuts, and lime wedges.

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    Recipe

    Pork yuk sung on a plate.
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    5 from 7 votes

    Easy Pork Yuk Sung (Chinese Lettuce Wraps)

    A quick and easy pork yuk sung recipe (also known as Chinese lettuce wraps) made with lean pork mince.
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Chinese
    Keyword pork yuk sung, yuk sung, yuk sung recipe
    Prep Time 6 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 23 minutes minutes
    Total Time 29 minutes minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 468kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Chopping Board
    • Knife
    • Wok

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • 1 Onion peeled and finely chopped
    • 2 Garlic Cloves peeled and finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon Fresh Ginger peeled and grated
    • 2 Carrots peeled, halved lengthways and chopped
    • 2 Red Peppers chopped
    • 500 g Pork Mince
    • 3 teaspoon Chinese 5 Spice
    • 2 tablespoon Dark Soy Sauce
    • 1 tablespoon Light Soy Sauce
    • 3 tablespoon Oyster Sauce
    • 1 tablespoon Rice Wine Vinegar

    To serve

    • 3 Little Gem Lettuces leaves washed and dried
    • 2 tablespoon Coriander chopped
    • 2 Spring Onions chopped
    • 2 tablespoon Dry Roasted Peanuts chopped
    • 1 Red Chilli chopped (optional)
    • 2 Limes cut into wedges

    Instructions

    • Heat the oil in a frying pan or wok and cook the onion, garlic, and ginger for 4 minutes on a medium-high heat.
      1 tablespoon Olive Oil, 1 Onion, 2 Garlic Cloves, 1 teaspoon Fresh Ginger
    • Add the chopped carrots and peppers and continue to cook for a further 3 minutes.
      2 Carrots, 2 Red Peppers
    • Add the pork mince and Chinese 5 Spice powder and cook until the pork mince changes colour.
      500 g Pork Mince, 3 teaspoon Chinese 5 Spice
    • Mix in the sauce ingredients, turn down the heat, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring often.
      2 tablespoon Dark Soy Sauce, 1 tablespoon Light Soy Sauce, 3 tablespoon Oyster Sauce, 1 tablespoon Rice Wine Vinegar
    • Serve the pork mince in lettuce wraps, topped with dry roasted peanuts, freshly chopped coriander, chopped spring onions, and chopped chilli (optional) with lime wedges on the side.
      3 Little Gem Lettuces, 2 tablespoon Coriander, 2 Spring Onions, 2 tablespoon Dry Roasted Peanuts, 1 Red Chilli, 2 Limes

    Notes

    Expert Tips:
    • Prepare and chop all of your ingredients before you start cooking, you could even do this the night before and store them in the fridge.
    • Ensure your lettuce leaves are crisp and fresh. I find little gem lettuces work best as the leaves are small and sturdy.
    • Use turkey mince for a healthier option.
     
    Variations:
    • Add more vegetables such as sliced mushrooms, or chopped courgettes.
    • Instead of serving the Chinese pork mince in lettuce wraps, you could serve it with steamed rice or noodles for a more filling meal.
    • For a veggie version, omit the pork mince and add more veggies, or use Quorn mince or crumbled extra firm tofu. Make sure the Oyster sauce is vegetarian-friendly too.
     
    Storage:
    Store - the cooked pork mince mixture can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    Reheat - in the microwave, or quickly stir fry again with two tablespoons of water until the pork mince is heated through.
    Freeze - the pork mince mixture can be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before reheating.
     
    Nutrition:
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Pork Yuk Sung (Chinese Lettuce Wraps)
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    468
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    33
    g
    51
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    11
    g
    69
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    4
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    16
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    90
    mg
    30
    %
    Sodium
     
    739
    mg
    32
    %
    Potassium
     
    810
    mg
    23
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    19
    g
    6
    %
    Fiber
     
    5
    g
    21
    %
    Sugar
     
    7
    g
    8
    %
    Protein
     
    25
    g
    50
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    7174
    IU
    143
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    109
    mg
    132
    %
    Calcium
     
    86
    mg
    9
    %
    Iron
     
    3
    mg
    17
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tara

      March 27, 2023 at 1:25 pm

      5 stars
      So much flavor and I love how quickly everything comes together! Definitely perfect for weeknights.

      Reply
    2. Alison Saalbach Corey

      March 27, 2023 at 2:02 pm

      5 stars
      Wow, this pork recipe is a real winner! I love how quick and simple this pork recipe is to make, yet it tastes like it took hours to prepare. It's the perfect comfort food for any occasion. Thank you for sharing this kind of recipe. Amazing!

      Reply
    3. Janessa

      March 27, 2023 at 2:10 pm

      5 stars
      These made such a delicious dinner last night! We will definitely make them again.

      Reply
    4. Dana S

      March 27, 2023 at 2:20 pm

      5 stars
      Love these chicken wraps! They're so healthy, light, and wholesome. And SO flavorful.

      Reply
    5. Kathleen

      March 27, 2023 at 3:17 pm

      5 stars
      This pork yuk sung looks and sounds fabulous. It's a perfect way to introduce new flavors to the family.

      Reply

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    Beth Sachs Food Blogger

    Hi, I’m Beth, a Mum of three (and one crazy dog), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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