Promoting “Lien Chung grilled pork roll” brand

Updated: 10:48, 04/03/2025

BAC GIANG – Lien Chung commune in Tan Yen district is situated alongside the picturesque Thuong River, shaded by bamboo groves. The towering Danh Mountain, with its pine trees gently swaying in the breeze, embodies a land rich in cultural diversity. This region is not only renowned for its royal gift, the Danh Mountain ginseng, passed down through generations, but also for another widely celebrated specialty—“Lien Chung grilled pork roll.”

At just 4 a.m., many households in Hau village are already busy preparing grilled pork rolls. During the first lunar months, with numerous festivals and gatherings, pork rolls are always in high demand with a constant stream of orders.

Nguyen The Hat with the Lien Chung grilled pork roll product.

At the production facility of Luong Duc Kien, a member of the Lien Chung Grilled Pork Roll Cooperative in Hau village, workers were diligently working in a spacious, air-conditioned room that is kept clean and organized.

Everyone was outfitted with proper hygiene gear, including face masks, gloves, and aprons. While quickly slicing the pork into thin strips, Nguyen Thi Giang encouraged her coworkers to mix the pigskin, lean pork, and pork fat with spices to ensure the mixture is evenly marinated.

Nearby, Nguyen Thi Thu and other workers divided the mixture into equal portions and prepared banana and guava leaves to wrap the rolls. The air was filled with the enticing aroma of the fresh local ingredients.

Holding the finished product, Nguyen The Hat, director of the cooperative, said that the main ingredient for the grilled pork rolls is pork, specifically lean pork, fat, and pigskin.

The pork should come from the shoulder, fresh and juicy, and mixed with a small amount of fat. Everything is hand-sliced, then marinated with dry-roasted salt, roasted rice flour, and ground pepper.

A fresh guava leaf is placed between each roll to enhance its fragrance and promote natural fermentation. Each roll weighs about 250 grams. Before being sold, the rolls are labeled with production and expiration dates, and a QR code is included so consumers can easily trace the product’s origin, usage instructions, and storage methods. They are then packed in vacuum-sealed bags.

Packaging the product at the Lien Chung Grilled Pork Roll Cooperative.

If left at room temperature, the rolls will ferment in 3-5 days and be ready for use. If refrigerated, they can last for up to a month. “The traditional way to prepare the rolls is by grilling them in their banana leaf wrappers over charcoal or in a grilling pot for about 20 minutes. Once the banana leaf crisps and burns, the roll is fully cooked. The rolls are usually enjoyed with ‘nhoi’ leaves, which have a sour and astringent taste, and are dipped in soy sauce mixed with chili and garlic. They can also be stir-fried with onions, garlic, vegetables, and tomato sauce, served with fresh herbs, or even used in a hot pot,” said Hat.

Along with members of the Lien Chung Grilled Pork Roll Cooperative, about 50 households in the commune’s Hau, Huong, Nguon, and Xuan Tien villages regularly produce grilled pork rolls. During the Lunar New Year, hundreds of households join in due to the high demand.

Grilled pork roll is a traditional dish that is closely tied to the lives of the people of Lien Chung. The locals consider it a special product, passed down through generations.

The Dai