These Chinese lettuce wraps (San Choy Bow) are so easy, with only 4 ingredients, and ready in 15 minutes. They’re so umami and full of mushroom flavor and crunchy lettuce. This dish is easy to make and lends itself to large portions as an appetizer or side dish for gathering. I sometimes make extra portions for next week’s lunchbox.

Lettuce wraps recipe:

My recipe is the reduced-calorie version, you didn’t add oil. Use only ground pork, because only the fat that comes out of the pork makes this dish so delicious. It’s recommended to use 70% lean meat and 30% fatty meat. In this ratio, the pork won’t be too dry and dull.
Anna’s tips:
- Fry oyster mushrooms – to enhance mushroom’s flavor of the mushrooms, fry them without oil over medium heat. In this way, the moisture in the mushrooms evaporates and the fragrance becomes more intense. Learn more about how to saute mushrooms like a chef or a restaurant.
- Fry minced pork – first, heat the pan on high heat and fry the minced pork until it’s golden brown and dry to improve its taste. If you’re using prepared brown ground meat. You can skip this step. Just heat the ground meat. This will save you more time.

What do you need:
- minced 300g / 10oz pork mince (ground pork)
- 1/2 big carrot, finely chopped
- 2 big oyster mushrooms, cubes
- 1/2 onion, cubes
- 2 clove large garlic
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 1.5 tbsp oyster sauce
SERVING:
- 8 leaves large or 16 – 20 small lettuce,
- Roasted sesame seeds
- Finely sliced scallions/shallots
How to make:

- Clean the oyster mushrooms with a paper towel and cut into cubes. Set aside.
- Cut the carrots and onions into cubes. Set aside.
- Heat the skillet over medium heat, add the ground pork and stir until the bottom is golden brown (about 2~3 minutes). Stir until everything is golden brown and transfer to a plate. Set aside.
- Add garlic, carrots, and oyster mushrooms. Stir until the bottom is golden brown (about 2 minutes).
- Add onion and stir until translucent (about 2 minutes).
- Add ground pork, soy sauce and oyster sauce. Stir well. Transfer to a plate.
- Add sliced scallions and roasted sesame seeds on top.
- Spoon some filling into a lettuce leaf. Ready to enjoy~

Substitute:
- Pork mince: You can substitute it with chicken, turkey or beef.
- For vegetarians: you can replace it with tofu, cauliflower or just mushrooms.
- Oyster mushrooms: You can substitute any kind of mushrooms, such as bella mushrooms.
Watch how to make:

Ingredients
- 300 g 10oz pork mince (ground pork), (Note 1)
- 2 big oyster mushrooms, diced (Note 2)
- 1/2 big carrot, finely chopped
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 2 cloves large garlic, minced
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 1.5 tbsp oyster sauce
SERVING:
- 8 leaves large or 16 – 20 small lettuce
- Roasted sesame seeds
- 1 scallions, finely sliced
Instructions
- Clean the oyster mushrooms with a paper towel and cut into cubes. (Note 3) Set aside.
- Cut the carrots and onions into cubes. Set aside.
- Heat the skillet over medium heat, add the ground pork and stir until the bottom is golden brown (about 2~3 minutes). Stir until everything is golden brown and transfer to a plate. Set aside.
- Add garlic, carrots, and oyster mushrooms. Stir until the bottom is golden brown (about 2 minutes). (Note 4)
- Add onion and stir until translucent (about 2 minutes).
- Add ground pork, soy sauce and oyster sauce. Stir well. Transfer to a plate.
- Add sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds on top.
- Spoon some filling into a lettuce leaf. Ready to enjoy~
- Fry oyster mushrooms – to enhance mushroom's flavor of the mushrooms, fry them without oil over medium heat. In this way, the moisture in the mushrooms evaporates and the fragrance becomes more intense. Learn more about how to saute mushrooms like a chef or a restaurant.
Video
Tips & Notes:
- Fry minced pork – first, heat the pan on high heat and fry the minced pork until it’s golden brown and dry to improve its taste. If you’re using prepared brown ground meat. You can skip this step. Just heat the ground meat. This will save you more time. It’s recommended to use 70% lean meat and 30% fatty meat. In this ratio, the pork won’t be too dry and dull.
- You can substitute any kind of mushroom, such as Bella mushrooms.
- Avoid washing the mushrooms with water, otherwise, they’ll absorb too much moisture, which can dilute their flavor when cooking.
- Fry oyster mushrooms – to enhance mushroom’s flavor of the mushrooms, fry them without oil over medium heat. In this way, the moisture in the mushrooms evaporates and the fragrance becomes more intense. Learn more about how to saute mushrooms like a chef or a restaurant.
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